Page 91 - Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments in Psychiatry
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improve, a slow titration down from current meds may be in
order.
As brain chemistry begins to normalize through proper
nutrient and endocrine balance, patients usually begin to feel
better. By re-evaluating the patient’s progress at regular
intervals, we adjust the plan as needed to keep him or her on a
path to recovery and greater wellness.
Summary
Though learning the arts of integrative psychiatry takes some
time and effort, the rewards are worth it. Instead of maintaining
patients on a steady dose of medication, monitoring them for
inevitable side effects and adjusting meds when things go awry,
you start thinking in terms of recovery. Lots of my clients simply
recover from their underlying bodily issues and get well. In fact,
in many cultures worldwide, psychotic and other psychiatric
conditions are regularly treated by family and community
support, without the recurrence that we in the West assume is
inevitable. Another large percentage improves markedly. Even
those who remain symptomatic can often be helped with
treatments such as herbs, supplements, or lifestyle changes that
bring relief—regardless of the cause—without the downsides of
meds.
That means greater wellness for my patients and happier lives
for them and their families. That is a gratifying result for any
physician.