Integrative psychiatry is the integration of treatment modalities using both evidence based conventional (medication and therapy) and complementary therapies in the treatment of psychiatric disorders; a collaborative care model that adopts a person centered approach, treating an individual as a whole thereby helping them achieve a life lived in balance, optimizing mental health and physical wellbeing. There is no separating the brain and the body; what affects the one affects the other.
Traditional psychiatry is the branch of medicine with a conventional approach to the diagnosis, prevention, study, and treatment of mental disorders. The traditional mental health model focuses on brain function, neurotransmitters and potentially pharmaceutical medications. Integrative psychiatry is a holistic approach that uses both conventional and complementary therapies in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Personalized treatments are developed to suit each person’s lifestyle and strengthen self-awareness and resources for self-care; with the recognition that optimizing wellness is just as important as treating illness.
A holistic approach does not focus on illness or specific parts of the body; it considers the whole person and how he or she interacts with his or her environment with the emphasis on the connection of mind, body, and spirit. This approach is best used in conjunction with conventional medicine and not as a replacement.
Holistic integrated treatment is the most effective approach combining strategies from the fields of psychiatry and complementary therapies such as acupuncture, reiki, massage, equine-assisted therapy and yoga.
A detailed psychiatric, medical, social & nutritional history is taken with a view to formulation an integrated, holistic treatment plan.
If there is any role for psychotherapeutic input (which there invariably is) then we will discuss the type/s of therapy (individual and/or group) you would most benefit from.
Our gut influences our mind, emotions, cognition and mental health (the gut-brain axis can impact our mental health). “The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison” (Ann Wigmore, health practitioner & nutritionist).
Physical exercise is increasingly being advocated as a means to maintain and enhance good mental health. In general, findings from research indicate that exercise is associated with improvements in mental health including mood state and self-esteem. In the case of long term exercise programmes, the changes for those with elevated anxiety or depression are more pronounced. Evidence from studies involving clinical samples indicates that the psychological benefits associated with exercise are comparable to gains found with standard forms of psychotherapy.
Any alternative or complementary therapies can be combined as long as the holistic approach benefits the patient.
Not at all, they just prefer to look at all possible modalities of treatment and recognise that there is a clear role for medication where indicated.
An integrated, holistic approach to health including mental health is always going to be more favourable than one that is not.
