Pyrrole disorder typically involves high anxiety, poor behavioral control, a reading disorder, impaired immune function , and other troubling symptoms. Severe pyrrole levels have been observed in persons diagnosed with violent behaviors, depression, schizophrenia, and other serious mental disorders.
~ William Walsh
WD4: Walsh Depression #4 – This is the fourth in a series [WD1: Undermethylation here, | WD2: Overmethylation here | WD3: Copper Excess here] of 5 posts on Dr Bill Walsh's 5 biotypes of depression as described in his book Nutrient Power 2 listed below.
This particular pyrrole, kryptopyrrole, disorder biotype is exceedingly important for CorePsych readers. Of the 5 subtypes this type of depression is far more associated with behavioral challenges including violent rages that appear as schizophrenic, bipolar, ODD or simple social anxiety with panic attacks.
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Important Note
A significant number of undermethylated depression patients exhibit some degree of pyrrole disorder. Many persons with this combination of imbalances exhibit high accomplishment throughout life, but report extreme internal anxiety and poor stress control along with depression . Since both undermethylation and pyrrole disorder are associated with low serotonin activity, depression is usually more severe in these cases. Our database studies indicate persons with this hybrid condition are more likely to report suicidal thoughts compared to persons with any other form of depression.1
Increased pyrrole washes out Zn and B6 resulting in decreased brain levels of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA – encouraging anxiety and depression – as well as diminished Executive Function.
This brief Pyrrole Disorder video addresses the fourth WD4 – Walsh depression biotype – and will remind you of the fact that depression is more than just appearing sad. Pyrrole Disorder [Pyroluria] Depression [A kryptopyrrole challenge] will prove untreatable if not measured and corrected with some of the laboratory inquiries linked below. Too many fail SSRI treatments with trial after trial of otherwise appropriate medications for depression symptoms, not the biologically-based disorder. Measurements for pyrrole detailed after Dr Walsh explains on his video below.
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*Thanks for this video forwarded from this Pyrrole post from Judy Tsafrir, MD at Boston Holistic Psychiatry. These remarks by Sean and Judy do miss an important Social Anxiety point, however: Cognitive Anxiety in the face of unpredictable social variables: See my video here on Cognitive Anxiety to see the connection between Pyrrole, Social Anxiety, and Executive Function: https://www.corepsych.com/cognitive-anxiety No, I'm not attempting to make the point that everyone has ADHD, but rather to address the biomedical issues that deteriorate self-management and executive function. [Video taken down, sorry.]
As you take a few moments to review this CorePsych series of Walsh Depressions [all linked below] just think of the remarkable implications and fresh possibilities for psychiatric treatment failures. Many suffering individuals previously considered as ‘out of the range of treatment options' now can consider multiple biomarker and laboratory testing options. In my office practice I'm at once humbled as I regularly find new answers based upon these fresh data points – and regretful that these protocols only now, belatedly come to my attention. These details matter everyday in any outpatient psychiatric practice.
Dr Walsh has presented his research at the American Psychiatric Association, the U.S. Senate, the National Institute of Mental Health, the Society for Neuroscience, and has been a speaker at more than 30 international conferences. He has authored more than 200 scientific articles and reports, and has five patents.
Dr Walsh has researched biomedical details for individuals previously considered as untreatable: from personality disorders to character/conduct disorders, to others insufficiently treatable with the limitations of modern psychopharmacology. He's published research and biomedical evaluations on lost souls from murderers to those more commonplace presentations of untreatable depression and ADHD. Think: new options for treatment failure at any level of mind alteration.
If you're interested in learning more about his groundbreaking work consider attending his Walsh Research Institute meeting in Chicago Oct. 18-22, next week.
The effect of pyroluria [pyrrole disorder] can have a mild, moderate, or severe depending on the severity of the imbalance. Most individuals show symptoms of zinc and/or B6 deficiencies, which include poor stress control, nervousness, anxiety, mood swings, severe inner tension, episodic anger (an explosive temper), poor short-term memory and depression. Most pyrolurics exhibit at least two of these problems. These individuals cannot efficiently create serotonin (a neurotransmitter that reduces anxiety and depression) since vitamin B6 is an important factor in the last step of its synthesis. Many of these persons appear to benefit from SSRI medications… However, as with all mind-altering drugs, side effects occur and the true cause of the mental difficulties remains uncorrected. In addition these individuals often have frequent infections and are often identified by their inability to tan, poor dream recall, abnormal fat distribution, and sensitivity to light and sound. As you can imagine an SSRI will not correct these metabolic effects.7
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In a different study: This imbalance was exhibited by 32.9% of the patients [n-207 – Behavior Disorder Study8]. Elevated pyrroles have been associated with an inborn error of pyrrole chemistry , but this also can result from porphyria or exposure to heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and other conditions enhancing oxidative stress . This imbalance results in severe deficiencies of pyridoxine and zinc and is associated with poor stress control and explosive anger. Treatment for this disorder involved supplements of pyridoxine [B6], pyridoxal-5-phosphate, zinc, and vitamins C and E.8
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These replicable medical findings clearly encourage more complete assessments – Summarized from Nutrient Power 3 Walsh's most recent book. In Nutrient Power Dr Walsh details of how to both measure and treat this specific, easily identified form of depression.——–
From an additional Kryptopyrrole perspective: Conquering Pyroluria
From the article there with 41 references:
Heme, a substance found in the body, has an iron atom at its core. The most commonly know heme is hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying red pigment of the blood. Heme is not only found in the blood but in other areas including the liver and nerves. The metabolic activity of nerves is highly dependent on heme for their function, and low levels of heme leads to a metabolic crisis, resulting in neuronal or nerve cell death. The by-product of heme metabolism, Hydroxyhemopyrrolin-2-one (HPL), is believed to further decrease heme levels in humans, thus worsening the signs and symptoms associated with Pyroluria.
Animal studies showed that HPL caused a decrease in liver heme, and the heme containing detoxification enzyme cytochrome P450, by up to 55% over a 48 hour period (29). Zinc, Vitamin B6, and Biotin are required for the production of heme and such a reduction in these nutrients results in abnormal heme levels. Heme is further depleted by stress and heavy metal exposure. Low levels of heme result in excess production of nitric oxide, which can cause serious damage to brain tissue and is suspected to play a role in schizophrenia, autism and Down Syndrome.
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See this video explanation of pyrrole challenges [11:50 min]
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfIzSelaRSI&width=1200&height=677[/embedyt]
Pyrrole Disorder and PTSD: Clinical Characteristics
Download this excellent PDF: Pyrrole Disorder for Therapists – Caryn Talty & Matthew Dahlitz, Neuropsychotherapist Oct-Dec '13
Characteristics of Pyrrole Disorder – Incidence: 15% of clinical depression [n – 2800]: 4
- Extreme mood swings
- PTSD
- IBS with easy bruising
- ADHD, Bipolar
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Poor stress control
- Severe anxiety
- Little or no dream recall [B6 ↓]
- Preference for spicy foods
- Abnormal fat distribution
- Low in Omega 6 – Arachidonic acid
- Low in B6, Zinc, and Magnesium
- Delayed growth
- Tinnitus – ringing in the ears
- Poor wound healing
- Dry skin, eczema
- White spots on fingernails
- Delayed puberty
- Acne
- Inability to tan – fair skin.
Many persons have elevated pyrroles resulting from factors such as physical accidents, illnesses, infections, emotional trauma , and toxic metals. Oxidative overloads from any source can cause psychosis in sensitive individuals by lowering glutamate neurotransmitter activity at NMDA receptors in the brain.
The most rapid progress is achieved by pyrrole disorder patients who may become calmer after a few days of therapy. Significant improvement in one week, and most likely resolved in four to six weeks.
At CorePsych we use Direct Health Care Access Labs – Those used by the Walsh Team.
Soon: the additional four Walsh depression biotypes, 3 and incidence in his research.
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http://corepsych.com/walsh-resources
With explanatory videos on epigenetics: A playlist for the public, a different playlist for professionals, and a full review by Dr Walsh in detail.
Register for, and make sure you go back to watch, our Rick Green/Parker Webinars as we discuss Why [Dig Deeper], How [Brain Function] and, in the third TotallyADD Webinar [Agenda],What [To Explore] series. Topics: psychiatric diagnosis and treatment for ADHD/Executive Function. Mind science is slowly but inexorably changing. Watch the first two meetings to prepare for our anticipated discussion about Dr Walsh's laboratory measurements and nutrient interventions in the third webinar. Details matter.
NB: The first Why Webinar is now recorded and ready for review. Prepare for How coming on Oct. 19, available here :http://totallyadd.com/webinar-archives/ – link to all the webinars.
And this link for that specific first Why Webinar: https://www.corepsych.com/totallyadd-why-video
Do subscribe below for future CorePsych updates, and please forward these important new data-tools to your colleagues.
cp
Dr Charles Parker
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1 Walsh, Dr. William J. (2014-05-06). Nutrient Power: Heal Your Biochemistry and Heal Your Brain (Kindle Location 1544). Skyhorse Publishing. Kindle Edition.
2 Walsh, WJ, Nutrient Power – Heal Your Biochemistry and Heal Your Brain, Skyhorse Publishing 2012. Paperback link.
3 Ibid., p 81.
4 Ibid, p 73.
5 Ibid., p 150.
6 Walsh, Dr. William J. (2014-05-06). Nutrient Power: Heal Your Biochemistry and Heal Your Brain (Kindle Locations 1547-1549). Skyhorse Publishing. Kindle Edition.
7 Jeremy Kaslow, MD, http://drkaslow.com/html/pyroluria.html
8 Walsh WJ, Glab LB, Haakenson ML. (2004). Reduced violent behavior following biochemical therapy. Physiol Behav. 82: 835-839.
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Additional Pyrrole References:
15 Comments
Hello,
I also suffer from treatment resistant depression,anxiety,ocd and many of the symptoms from above fit to me. I was also tested positive for adhd but ritalin doesn’t work at all. In low doses it does nothing, in moderate doses it makes me jittery.
I had a urine test for pyrroluria and also for nitrosative stress and both tests were positive! Unfortunately my doctor who offered these tests doesn’t really know much about it, he only offers the tests and that’s it. I went to my GP and talked to him about these tests and he also didn’t know anything about it and said if these diseases were real and important then doctors would know about them.
I don’t know what to do now. I’m in Germany and doctors here, also psychiatrists, don’t seem to know anything about anything related to nutritional deficiencies.
I know what zinc and B6 are important in pyrrole disorders but that’s it. I also had my zinc levels in the blood measured and they were low but within the normal range. Does this rule out pyrroluria?
I have now started taking a high dosed B vitamin complex and also 50mg P5P activated B6 daily. I have been doing this for a few months now but notice no difference.
Can you tell me what I should do without doctor who can assist me?
My concern is that I might overdose on vitamins if I try to medicate myself.
Sam,
Will send a brief note offline. You’re on the right path, but do need to look at the entire picture more completely as the Walsh subsets often arrive in combination.
cp
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[…] Pyrrole Disorder and Depression – Walsh Biotypes […]
[…] in a series [WD1: Undermethylation here, | WD2: Overmethylation here | WD3: Copper Excess here | WD4: Pyrrole Disorder here] of 5 posts on Dr Bill Walsh’s 5 biotypes of depression as described in his book Nutrient […]
Thanks so much for highlighting conditions like this that are so often correlated with mental health symptoms. While my son doesn’t fit the criteria for pyroluria, he does have the MTHFR genetic polymorphism, which also affects B levels and the body’s ability to use Vitamin B. (I would love to see an article from you with your insights on MTHFR.)
Thanks for helping us untangle the challenge of mental health medications!
Penny Williams
Author of “Boy Without Instructions: Surviving the Learning Curve of Parenting a Child with ADHD” and the upcoming “What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting ADHD”
BoyWithoutInstructions.com
Penny,
Many thanks for this note – and yes that subject is on my mind. I have a post coming out on toxic overload, toxic metals and depression on the 19th and will add MTHFR to my urgent list. – The methylation materials from Walsh clearly demonstrate than not everyone does well using the methylfolate so often recommended.
Thanks!
Chuck
I look forward to your upcoming post on MTHFR! My son had the genetic test and he has heterozygous polymorphism on each MTHFR gene tested as well as COMT. However, taking methylfolate and methylate B vitamins didn’t seem to make any difference in ADHD symptoms.
Penny Williams
Author of “Boy Without Instructions: Surviving the Learning Curve of Parenting a Child with ADHD” and “What to Expect When You’re Not Expecting ADHD”
BoyWithoutInstructions.com
Penny,
Take a look at Overmethylation as a CorePsych post listed on this page http://corepsych.com/walsh-resources and the PDF Nutrient Power summary at this link: http://corepsych.com/walsh for a very cursory review. It sounds a bit like that may be part of his problem.
Bottom line: if you add methylation products to an already overmethylated person… the cup runneth over.
cp
Would like to talk to you.
Chris,
Set up a time for Brief Chat next week at http://corepsych.com/services with Desiree.
cp
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[…] Pyrrole Disorder – reduced serotonin, GABA – 15% […]
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