Food Sensitivities/Causes of OCD

[Guest guest]

Misty, She had an IgG & IgE Antibody Assessment done through Geneva

Diagnostics 6 years ago. I'm not even sure what IgG antibodies are, except

that they were studied to measure food insensitivities (vs. food

intolerances). I believe the IgE study measures actual allergic reactions.

They looked at close to 100 different foods, dairy, fruits, vegetables,

fish, meat, nuts & grains, and a few other things. Honestly a lot of this is

Greek to me. But the test revealed no reaction to gluten or casein (common

culprits, especially with kids on the autism spectrum). The only food for

which a moderate reaction was found is Turkey (she's a vegetarian now,

anyway).

I believe the cause of 's severe OCD and mild Asperger's is genetic.

Although we don't have a known history of OCD in the family (though my

husband may have experienced it as a teen), we have a strong family history

of anxiety and depression along with some autistic traits. I believe all

these things are genetically linked. I don't know why S. developed OCD at a

very young age, when the more typical family pattern is to have

straightforward anxiety/depression with later onset. But I still assume it's

genetic.

We seem to have ruled out food sensitivities (unless I've missed something),

and she's never had a positive strep test, so I guess PANDAS is out.

In my black moments, I fear my husband and I have done something that

triggered her OCD. But that doesn't seem very rational, does it? Despite the

legacy of Freud and his minions, I don't know of a shred of evidence that

serious mental illnesses like this are caused by environmental factors.

I am still interested in any advice on nutritional approaches to treatment.

As I said before:

My 16 y/o with OCD & Asperger's takes L-Tyrosine (we were also using 5-HTP,

but I read they shouldn't be mixed with SSRIs -- she uses Luvox, among other

things). I've also started giving her flax oil (for Omega 3) and trying to

ease into a more whole foods diet. The information out there is so varied

(and sometimes overwhelming) that I'm not sure I'm on the right track.

My hope is that she can eventually decrease the amount of meds she takes,

especially because of the side effects (fatigue, excessive sleeping, and

serious weight gain).

Thanks!

Steph in VA

> Steph,

> I would be interested to know EXACTLY what type of food sensitivity testing

> she

> had done.. Which antibodies were being looked at? Which foods were

> tested?

> Where did you have it done?