Mainstream psychiatry is becoming more biology-based in practice and today uses medication as a major form of treatment. The problem with this, say some, is that psychiatric medication is dangerous or over-prescribed. Alternative medicine offers other therapeutic choices for people who are against biological psychiatry. What is alternative medicine, when applied to mental illness? This is indeed a perplexing question. The alternative methods of treatment for various types of mental illness include as many as 300 different therapies in this growing and diverse field, such as:

Accupunture, nutrition, spiritual activities, massage, yoga, chiropractic, reiki, counseling, ayurvedic and mind-body medicine (an ancient medical system from India), homeopathic medicine, reflexology, oxygen therapy, chelation, metal toxicity, biofeedback, imagery, self-hypnosis, meditation, therapeutic touch, correction of metabolic or hormone deficiencies; macrobiotics or a more natural organic chemical free diet; Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and so on.

How is the average person able to navigate the maze of alternative treatments and claims? Fortunately, psychiatry and alternative therapies don’t have to be either-or choices. The term “integrative psychiatry” describes a combined medical-alternative approach to psychiatry. “It is healing-oriented psychiatry that takes account of the whole person (body, mind, and spirit). It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of all appropriate therapies, both conventional and alternative.” (1) Most integrative psychiatrists use alternative medicine as an adjunct to psychiatric medications. In other words, they are meant to help reduce the dosage, not replace the medicine all together. But if a person is opposed to psychiatric medication, these specialists are available for guidance in which alternative treatments might best fit the individual need. Osteopathic Psychiatrists also offer alternative therapies, along the lines of mind-body healing. (Osteopathic Psychiatrists use structural diagnosis and manipulative therapy in addition to all other traditional forms of diagnosis and treatment.)

Integrative psychiatry is a holistic approach that uses both conventional and alternative therapies in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Personalized treatments are typically developed by practitioners to suit each person’s lifestyle and needs. But most integrative psychiatry practitioners agree in a contraindication for individuals with active suicidal thoughts or psychosis, who require a more intensive level of psychiatric care. (2)

“An Integrative Psychiatrist is attuned to the many dimensions that affect emotional distress and wellness. These dimensions include physical, emotional, interpersonal, behavioral, nutritional, environmental and spiritual elements.” (3)

Finding integrative psychiatry practitioners and alternative medicine providers is as easy as using the phone book or internet search engine. But the alternative treatments offered at each practice may differ widely. Some may use psychiatric medications and psychotherapy treatment in combination with a selection of alternative medicines, and others may not use psychiatric medications but will use other alternative methods. There are more choices are available than the average person seeking mental health treatment might believe.

References

• Integrative Psychiatry, Inc. http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net
• UPMC Center for Integrative Medicine. http://integrativemedicine.upmc.com/IntegrativePsychiatry.htm
• Prathikanti, Sudha. http://www.prathikanti.com