ADD, Depression, and Diet

There is a link between the 3 - ADD, Depression, and Diet.  Your child with ADD may suffer with symptoms of Depression -
     * mood swings on a day to day basis
     * a decrease or increase in appetite
     * inability to sleep or sleeping too much/lethargic
     * feelings of worthlessness or guilt

            "About half of all children who have ADHD have trouble regulating their emotions, and this problem
            can also lie at the root of primary depression." - 

                    http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1015.html

This can go for us adults too.  I know I have suffered from depression at times and it seems to be for no reason!  I had Postpartum Depression after my third and realized that medication didn't help me, it actually made me feel guiltier and more depressed.  (I'm not saying that medication is never needed for severe conditions, but it wasn't right for me at that time).

            "Depression is estimated to be 2.7 times more prevalent among adults with attention-
             deficit/hyperactivity disorder than among the general adult population."

http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/748.html

There is really good news!  Diet can really help ADD/ADHD kids (and adults) to feel happier and have a more neutral mood.


            "For a lot of years, there has been anecdotal evidence linking depression with gluten (along with more
             serious mental disorders, up to and including schizophrenia).
             Clinical depression appears to be linked with serotonin levels in the brain.
             Serotonin is a natural substance which is produced in the body. This natural production appears to be
             impaired or reduced in various groups of people, including depressives.
             The reasons for this impairment are not yet completely clear. However, 90% of the production of    
             serotonin occurs in the digestive tract. So it begins to make sense that the food eaten might have an
             effect, either positive or negative, on serotonin production.
             Another report by Alessio Fasano and Carlo Catassi states that there is an "Asymptomatic Silent
             Form" of celiac disease. Symptoms of this form of gluten intolerance (which may not all be present)
             are: iron deficiency, a tendency to depression, irritability, or impaired school performance in children
             "feeling always tired," and easy fatigue during exercise, and reduced bone mineral density.
             Gluten-free diets (sometimes combined with dairy-free) have been used for autism, depression and
             schizophrenia, with some success. Even though the mechanism is still not fully clear, it does appear
             that there is a scientific basis for a connection between gluten and depression in susceptible
             individuals."
                              http://www.glutenfreedietbook.com/articles/index.php?article=16

So...I have a confession!  When Pumpkin is home, we eat a pretty good gluten-free/sugar-free diet, but when he is at school or in bed...I'll bring out the forbidden food.  Thinking that it can't harm me too much, I have overindulged a little this week - seeing that it was my birthday I deserved that HUGE piece of chocolate cake after the kids went to bed!  (Cake = gluten and sugar together)

I have noticed that I've been more irritable, a little lethargic, and have an increase in cravings the last couple of days.  I know this is because of my diet.  (My husband confessed that he hasn't been feeling great lately either).  Maybe time for a detox again?  I think we (that means my husband and I) will be more strict with our diet - gluten and sugar free - starting on Monday :)   .....what?  It's still my "birthday weekend"!