Page 90 - Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments in Psychiatry

90 | Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments in Psychiatry

− Impaired methylation (most often genetic and treatable with
specific B vitamins)
− Essential fatty acid deficiency
− Blood sugar imbalance
− Brain inflammation due to food allergy (e.g., gluten, dairy),
heavy metals, infection, toxic exposure
− Hormone imbalance—e.g., thyroid, adrenal, estrogen,
progesterone, testosterone
− Traumatic brain injury
From this we can formulate an action plan:
− Follow-up medical evaluation as needed, such as a referral to
a specialist for serious endocrine disorders, a sleep study for
a heavy snorer (sleep apnea, most often due to metabolic
syndrome), or further labs for a client with markers of
gluten sensitivity (not necessarily full-blown celiac disease).
− Lifestyle changes including living arrangements, job
situation, marital counseling, and removing sources of
stress.
− Exercise recommendations as needed.
− Hormonal treatments as indicated by lab results
− Supplements—amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids,
and more—to restore normal body chemistry as indicated by
lab results.
− Herbal treatments and other natural or safe approaches to
reduce symptoms.
− Relaxation techniques including yoga and meditation.
− Dietary changes to reduce or eliminate junk foods,
incorporate healthy foods, and remove offending foods,
particularly those found on food allergy panels.
− Medication as needed, including avoiding an abrupt
withdrawal from current medications. As symptoms