RT Journal
A1 Kinrys G
T1 HYpomania associated with ω3 fatty acids
JF Archives of General Psychiatry
JO Archives of General Psychiatry
YR 2000
FD July 1
VO 57
IS 7
SP 715
OP 716
DO 
UL http://dx.doi.org/
AB 
I would like to report a case of a 35-year-old woman with a history of major depressive disorder who developed symptoms of hypomania on starting an over-the-counter preparation of ω3 fatty acids. The patient had a long history of several depressive episodes; however, she had not been receiving any antidepressants for 8 months. She was told by a friend that this specific product based on docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) could be helpful with her mood. Although she did not have any symptoms suggesting a relapse, she started taking the ω3 fatty acids preparation (2 capsules 3 times a day, containing 330 mg of DHA and 220 mg of EPA). Within 5 days, her behavior began to change and she became markedly disinhibited, elated, overfamiliar toward men, overactive, and expressing grandiose ideation. She was brought in by her family for an evaluation at the end of the first week. Given the recent introduction of that preparation and the family's requests, it was decided to discontinue the ω3 fatty acids and attempt to avoid a hospitalization. After 2 days the patient reverted to her baseline behavior.