Mental illness and nutrition

Question 1

Mental disorders caused by nutrition

Answer 1

• B12/folate deficiency: depression
• niacin: pellagra (dementia, dermatitis, death). Also leads to apathy and depression
• thiamine: WE/KP
• iodine: low IQ, cretinism
• undernutrition: low IQ, depression
• alcoholic dementia

Question 2

Nutrition problems caused by mental disorders

Answer 2

• Eating disorders
• Paranoid schizophrenia: reduced energy intake as fear of being poisoned
• Depression: self-neglect and under-nutrition
• Pica (learning difficulty, lower IQ): eating non-foods
• Alzheimer’s dementia: protein-calorie malnutrition

Question 3

Nutritional problems caused by mental health treatment

Answer 3

• antidepressants: dry mouth, weight gain, constipation
• lithium: dehydration, weight gain
• anti-psychotics: weight gain, diabetes (aripiprazole could be used for schizophrenia to prevent weight gain)
• amphetamines for ADHD can cause lost appetite

Question 4

Description of the Mental Health Act, The Mental Capacity Act

Answer 4

• The Mental Health Act: can provide EN or medication if that person is a danger to themselves or someone else
• The Mental Capacity Act: If someone lacks capacity (i.e. they don’t understand, they can’t retain information, they are unable to weigh up the risk-benefit, unable to communicate their decision) a decision by family or Dr can be made in their best interest