Guest guest Posted June 17, 2005 Report Share Posted June 17, 2005 Patrick Holford - 100% health e-news From Patrick Holfords newsletter SCHIZOPHRENIA CAN BE CURED I thought you’d appreciate this moving story from Janet D, the mother of John whose profound paranoid schizophrenia is now completely in remission, thanks to nutritional treatment. She followed the advice of Dr Abram Hoffer, my mentor (we represent his approach in the UK). Here’s her story in her own words: “My 25 year-old son, John, was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 15, although I later discovered that he had been hallucinating for years. At the time of his diagnosis he was paranoid, depressed and withdrawn, he was cutting and burning himself, and he had violent outbursts. John was placed on the usual variety of medications; Thorazine, Risperdol, Zyprexa, Abilify, Geodone, Depakote, Lithium, Welbutrin, Remeron, Prozac, Effexor, Seroquel, and probably several others that I don’t recall. The drugs caused very troubling side effects – facial ticks, trembling, weight gain and fatigue. Even on the medications, his life was miserable. He still suffered from paranoia and manic attacks. He was never able to establish friendships, complete his education, or live independently. Around two years ago, John’s illness became much worse and the medications were no longer able to control the symptoms. He was too paranoid to go out in public, certain that everyone was laughing at him. In his own words, this is how he described how he felt: “I was seeing people crawling in the road when I was driving. I thought they were from Satan and trying to make me crash. I thought everybody was staring and laughing at me when I went to a public place, like the supermarket. I thought I was a horrible freak and women and children were scared of me. I believed my brother was putting stuff in my food. I was afraid to answer the phone because I was paranoid that my voice sounded weird. The prescription medicine wasn't helping much.” He began to have violent fantasies of murdering strangers, and even family members. One night my youngest son awoke to find John standing over him with a knife. After that, we locked our bedroom doors at night and kept all sharp items hidden. John still managed to cut himself several times a week, sometimes so seriously he required emergency treatment. He attempted suicide several times. Once he leaped in front of a moving truck, which barely missed him. The violent attacks of rage and panic were happening almost daily and John was in and out of the local psychiatric hospital at least six times. John’s psychiatrist and our entire family felt he should be placed in hospital for long-term treatment, but I resisted. Nothing the doctors had done worked so far and I was afraid my son would be lost forever. I just kept urging the doctor to try new medications and praying that something would work. On October 22, 2004 I found the miracle I had been praying for when I met Julie Hilton. She told me about Dr. Hoffer’s amazing work and shared his books with me, as well as books by others. At first, I didn’t rush out to buy the recommended supplements. I did not really believe that something so simple could actually work, and John’s doctor assured me that it would not help. About two weeks later, John went into the woods and sliced his wrist with a razor. He was only saved because his brother found him in time. I was certain that it was only a matter of time before he took his own life and maybe someone else’s, as well. Before we tried orthomolecular treatment John was taking extremely high doses of prescription medications daily; 600 mg Effexor, 360 mg Geodone, 10 mg Zyprexa and 2000 mg of Depakote. All failed to control the schizophrenia symptoms. So, with nothing to lose, I started John on niacin (vitamin B3). After the very first 500 mg dose, the suicide attempts and self-mutilation stopped… completely stopped. We gradually raised the niacin over the first two weeks to 1000 mg, and then the paranoia was gone for the first time in over ten years! We added other supplements and continued to see improvements. He now takes 4500 mg of niacin (a combination of niacin & no-flush inositol hexanicotinate) and 600 mg B-6 daily. He also takes omega-3, vitamin C, magnesium & zinc, a good multi-vitamin, and he recently began taking 5HTP. As Dr. Hoffer recommends, John has also cut his caffeine and sugar intake. His prescription medications have been reduced to 150 mg Effexor, 240 mg Geodone, and 10 mg of Zyprexa. We will continue to reduce these slowly. John is now free of all paranoia and delusions. In fact, he recently told me that he cannot believe the thoughts that were in his head before. This is how he describes how he feels since we started the nutritional treatment: “Now that I'm taking supplements I'm not paranoid anymore. I'm looking forward to my future and I am holding a job now for the first time in years. I'm so thankful for the supplements and the help from my family in my time of need. I love my family. The more time that goes by, the better I am. Sometimes when I see the old scars where I cut myself, I almost can't believe I used to feel that bad. I'm just glad the schizophrenia is gone now and I can have a normal life.” He now remembers to take his supplements and medication on his own. He is comfortable in crowds. John now goes to the mall or supermarket without a second thought. John always dreamed of working on ships at sea, like most of the men in his family. His father is a ship captain, but it was completely unthinkable for John to do this. Well, today John is working on a ship. He is a happy and productive young man. John feels angry when he thinks of all the years he suffered because we didn’t know there was a treatment that works. “I don't understand how such a simple cure for such a bad problem can be ignored by so-called medical professionals.” He told me. Neither do I. I am so grateful to Dr. Hoffer for his groundbreaking work, for his moral courage, and for his persistence. Janet D Please share this information with anyone you know who could benefit from nutritional treatment. We treat many people at the Brain Bio Centre in London who have similar stories to tell. The real tragedy is that for every one of our patients there are a thousand more who don’t even know this treatment is available and works. All they or you need to do is go to www.brainbiocentre.com where you can print out a comprehensive information pack. Or call 020 8871 9261 to order an Information Pack (£4.99, including several comprehensive articles on the ‘optimum nutrition’ approach to ADHD, psychosis, depression and dementia) For more information on Optimum Nutrition and Mental Health read my book Optimum Nutrition for the Mind. If you are not already a member of 100%health and would like to to this cutting edge health newsletter service, click here to find out more. If you'd like to from this free e-news, please email your details to info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.