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Winter 2009/10 | Vol 13 No 2

Research update

Mark de la Hey

People with psychiatric disorders more likely to use psychoactive herbal medication

Users of herbal medication and dietary supplements (HMDS) are more likely than non-users to be seeking help for mental health problems and to be dissatisfied with their health care, according to a study from the Desert Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center in Los Angeles. Using data on 9,585 individuals from the Healthcare for Communities national household telephone survey, researchers looked at respondents’ use of HMDS and psychiatric medication, psychiatric diagnoses and use of mental health services. They found that HMDS users did not have significantly higher rates of psychiatric disorders, alcohol and substance use disorders, or psychiatric medication use. However, HMDS use was strongly associated with a perceived need for mental health services and dissatisfaction with health care. HMDS users were also more likely to have seen a mental health provider or a primary care physician in the previous year. Although individuals with psychiatric disorders were not more likely to use HMDS in general, they were more likely than those without such disorders to use psychoactive HMDS such as St. John’s wort or melatonin. Given that 14 per cent of those who use HMDS also use psychiatric medications, the authors see a need for healthcare providers to talk to their clients about HMDS and to “familiarize themselves with the risks, side effects, and contraindications of more commonly used HMDS.”

Community Mental Health Journal, August 18, 2009, doi:10.1007/s10597-009-9235-2. Noosha Niv et al., Desert Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Los Angeles, California.