A Natural Approach to Mental Health

Mind-Body Interconnection 

Holistic assessment starts with recognizing that the mind and body cannot be separated – they are simply different aspects of the human organism.  The physical body, along with our emotional, mental and spiritual aspects are completely integrated as a holistic interconnected whole.

Imbalances in any one of these areas can lead to problems manifesting as symptoms in any or all of the other areas. Though your primary complaints may be mental or emotional symptoms such as anxiety, depression, fear, anger, bi-polar, or schizophrenia, the root cause of these may be physical issues such as nutritional deficiencies, food allergies, hormonal or neurotransmitter imbalances. 

“Where the Mind Goes The Body Will Follow”- Chinese Proverb

Likewise, an imbalance on the mental, emotional or spiritual level may be the root cause of a physical illness.  It is rare for patients suffering from a mental or emotional disorder to NOT have a physical illness at the same time, and these are ALWAYS related! 

Additionally, interactions between the individual and the environment may also have an affect on health.  For example, heavy metal toxicities (discussed below), from the food, air, or water, can be the root cause of many mental and emotional symptoms. 

Orthomolecular Medicine 

“Orthomolecular treatment does not lend itself to rapid drug-like control of symptoms, but….patients get well to a degree not seen by tranquilizer therapists who believe Orthomolecular therapists are prone to exaggeration. Those who’ve seen the results are astonished.” 

Abram Hoffer, M.D., Ph.D.

The term “Orthomolecular” was first used by two-time Nobel prize winner Linus Pauling in 1968.  Originally used specifically with respect to psychiatry and brain function, it later was expanded to include all aspects of medicine. Pauling defined Orthomolecular medicine as “the preservation of good health and the treatment of disease by varying the concentrations in the human body of substances that are normally present in the body and are required for health.”  He also expressed the underlying principle as “…the adjective orthomolecular is used to express the idea of the right molecules in the right concentration.” 

Pauling became especially fascinated with Vitamin C in the mid-1960s and quickly recognized that the intake of this vitamin, and consequently, its concentration in the body and how it significantly influences health and disease.

One of the first and still leading proponents of the Orthomolecular approach to mental illness was Dr. Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD.  He pioneered the use of vitamins and minerals in the treatment of Schizophrenia and other mental disorders.  Orthomolecular medicine emphasizes the use of Essential Nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, essential lipids and amino acids to re-regulate body chemistry, including Neurotransmitter imbalances, which can be at the root of many mental-emotional problems. 

This approach is based on the concept of essential nutrients. (see the Nutrition page).  If the body is missing crucial ingredients, our function can be compromised, and symptoms develop in every aspect of our mind and body.

Heavy Metals 

Toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury, aluminum and others have no normal uses in our bodies — they only function as poisons.  Many heavy metal symptoms are mental and emotional.  Testing for the presence of heavy metals is done via provoked urine testing (see our lab testing page).  If you have heavy metals in your body, an appropriate detoxification program will be included in your treatment program.

Food Allergies 

Many mental and emotional symptoms can be related, either directly or indirectly, to food allergies.  If you are allergic to something you are eating, it can cause inflammation in the lining of your GI tract, disrupting the absorption of all nutrients, leading eventually to deficiencies in essential nutrients.  Other substances such as food additives, preservatives and artificial colorings can have a direct allergic affect on the brain itself.  Finding and eliminating these foods and other substances, and replacing them with a healthy, whole food nutritional plan, can have a tremendous beneficial impact on your condition.

Homeopathy 
Many people suffering from mental and emotional symptoms are extremely sensitive to medications, supplements and herbs, which can make treatment difficult. Fortunately, Homeopathy is a system of medicine utilizing highly dilute medicines which have few side effects. In particular, Constitutional Homeopathy has been of tremendous help for many people with suffering from mental and emotional conditions.  A Constitutional Homeopathic remedy may be prescribed at some point in your treatment.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

 TCM clinically is very effective in the treatment of Mental and Emotional Disorders. After addressing the underlying nutritional deficiencies or toxicity in the body a regimen of Chinese Herbs and an Acupuncture plan is established for our patients in order to get them feeling better today not in the three to six months it will take to replenish the body with vitamins and minerals.

Acupuncture

The effect of acupuncture is generally felt the same day of treatment. Acupuncture can lift depression, reduce stress, settle anxiety, increase sleep pattens, increase memory, and settle the mind. Unfortunately, these effects are short lasting and multiple treatments are needed for a permanent effect. In mild cases especially when dealing with stress acupuncture can have a profound effect and can be used alone without other treatment methods. In other instances, acupuncture can be used as a catalyst to change the metal state of the patient. We have found acupuncture alone to be extremely effective when used in the treatment of grief and loss of loved ones. The emotional release from a grief treatment is powerful and can be a mental turning point for a patient experiencing the sadness from a loss.

Chinese Herbs

We often rely on Customized Chinese Herbal Prescriptions for chronic, severe, and complicated cases. Chinese Herbs are very potent and taken daily, which is often needed to combat mental disorders. Chinese herbs can address the underlying condition while simultaneously alleviating the symptoms of the disorder. Depending on the individual case herbs will alleviate anxiety, treat insomnia, lift depression, and calm the mind. We have successfully moved patients off of psychological medications to safer and more effective customized herbal formulations. Please click here to learn more about {PHARMACEUTICAL REPLACEMENT}

Energetic Medicine / Spiritual & Emotional Wellness

Many times, patients report some type of spiritual disharmony or deep seeded trauma as part of their overall symptom picture.  It may be an overwhelming sense that there is something they are supposed to be doing with their lives and haven’t yet figured out what it is, or simply a recognition that spiritual issues are part of the pattern of disharmony in their lives. It can also be a need for closure and healing from their past or from a family pattern. With these cases, we must go deeper than nutrition, supplements, herbs, and acupuncture. When a spiritual or energetic aspect of the case is identified we often add energetic healing to the treatment plan. In order to offer our patients “Total Health” we have joined with Gloria Gomez a traditional energetic healer to offer our patients healing on the soul or shamanic level. Please Click HERE to learn more about the Energetic Medicine offered at SBTH.

Energetic Medicine / Spiritual & Emotional Wellness at South Bay Total Health: 

Conditions