Suicidal depression, obsessive-compulsive rumination, mental fogginess, disperceptions, and hyperactivity (overarousal) characterize the psychiatric manifestations of histadelia, a type of schizophrenia.¹ The non-psychiatric clinical features of histadelia include: increased salivation, elevated metabolic rate, allergic symptoms, frequent headaches, diminished pain threshold, heightened sexual responsiveness (a greater ability to achieve orgasm), and strong cravings for sugar.^2,3 Increased basophils (greater than 50 cells/mm³) and elevated blood histamine levels (greater than 70 ng/ ml) confirm the diagnosis of histadelia.⁴

The goal of orthomolecular treatment for this disorder is to restore blood histamine levels to normal. This can be achieved through dietary modifications (low protein and high fruit/vegetable diet), a combination of various nutrients (calcium, methionine, zinc, and manganese), and sometimes the drug phenytoin (Dilantin).