Dietary interventions and psychosis and schizophrenia
Some evidence – there is enough evidence to indicate that this can be a helpful treatment option.
There isn’t much evidence that dietary interventions (e.g. following a special diet or taking supplements) are helpful as a treatment for psychosis or schizophrenia. However, a healthy diet is generally helpful for good overall health.
If you have psychosis or schizophrenia you could be at risk of having a poorer diet and doing less exercise because of your symptoms. Also, some of the antipsychotic medications can cause weight gain, so your professional should talk to you about your diet and exercise. They should help you to find ways of managing any problems, including referring you to a dietitian.
There are some rare physical health conditions which can cause psychosis and where following a special diet is an essential part of the treatment. However, this is not needed for most people with psychosis or schizophrenia.
Treatments outlined on these webpages may not be available in every local area. It’s important that you discuss with your GP or mental health professional the treatment options available to you. You can also search for services near you on our Youth Wellbeing Directory and find out more about referral processes here.