Milk & Schizophrenia

[WinterLilac]

I have noticed that quite a few patients with schizophrenia drink a lot of milk and/or consume a lot of dairy based products. Has any one else found this?

I have looked online and through my universities data base however can't find any reason why this would be.

For some of our patients with chronic schizophrenia, we've even had to ration milk as they have historically consumed huge amounts to the detriment of their health.

I would really appreciate any comments if you have seen this in your work and perhaps any reasons behind it.

[angeloublue22, BSN, RN]

You know, I've always wondered about this too. Bipolar clients in the manic phase also obsess over milk. I would love to see a study about it. I thought it was because the meds we give cause dry mouth and milk helps create mucus. Maybe it's the only thing they've found that actually helps the dry mouth but I may be wrong.

[WinterLilac]

That's a really good point Angeloublue22, rather than just water to hydrate, they may want the coating and (as you said) mucous to feel more lubricated. I have a colleague with bipolar and he also consumes milk more than what I would deem a 'normal' amount.

Perhaps this might be a subject of someone's dissertation... Perhaps my own when I get to that.

[kalycat, BSN, RN]

I have a family member who is bipolar and who has always consumed vast quantities of milk, even as a little girl. During middle school she could easily drink more than a gallon per day. I always thought it was so weird - no one else in the household even likes dairy milk! I'm very interested to read more about this phenomenon.

[WinterLilac]

Thanks for your comment Kalycat, yes I wonder why milk is such a need for bipolar as well as schizophrenia. There MUST be something that quenches their need for something! We just have to figure out what it is! I will talk to my colleague who has bipolar and I think I'll also ask my clients with schizophrenia why they like milk so much. We have highly delusional people here however some of what they say does make sense :)