What is Integrative Psychiatry?
Integrative psychiatry is the field of psychiatry which uses complementary and alternative therapies alongside conventional psychiatric treatment.
Integrative psychiatry is a holistic approach because of its focus on the different dimensions of a person’s being which include the physical, cognitive, emotional, spiritual, energetic, interpersonal, cultural, and ecological dimensions.
Integrative psychiatry is an empowering and respectful approach because it allows patients to select interventions which are in keeping with their beliefs, preferences, and cultural ways of being.
Integrative psychiatry is focused not only on treating illnesses but more so, health and wellness.
Integrative psychiatry is collaborative and recognizes the doctor-patient relationship as a key element in the patient’s healing.
What organizations support the development of Integrative Psychiatry?
Integrative Psychiatry is acknowledged by the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
What are reasons for developing the field of Integrative Psychiatry?
*Research indicates that a more and more people are turning to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) not only as an aid in their healing, but also for stress management, and for maintenance of their over-all wellness.
*Conventional psychiatric treatments are not always a 100% effective and may have unwanted side effects.
*A multicultural society dictates that traditional ways of healing have to be respected.
*The effectivity and safety of some complementary and alternative therapies are supported by scientific research. These include therapies such as acupuncture, biofeedback, herbs and supplements, massage, meditation, exercise, etc.
*CAM is cost-effective because it focuses on stimulating the self-healing potential of individuals and because it emphasizes the necessity of making healthy lifestyle changes.
*Even CAM has its risks of side effects. Therefore Integrative psychiatry encourages research on the safety and effectivity of complementary and alternative treatments.
What is an important tenet in Integrative Psychiatry?
Integrative Psychiatry follows the principles of evidence-based medicine. This means that complementary and alternative treatments offered must be scientifically proven to be safe and effective. In the absence of scientific evidence, integrative psychiatrists can still offer complementary or alternative treatment modalities that have promising or possible therapeutic value as long as they are not harmful in any way.
Who can benefit from Integrative Psychiatry?
*Those who want to use complementary and alternative therapies for the stress management.
*Those who want to use complementary and alternative therapies for the maintenance of health and wellness.
*Those who are already receiving conventional treatment but wish to optimize their healing through complementary and alternative therapies.
*Those who are non-responders to conventional treatment.
*Those who poorly tolerate conventional treatment and suffer from side-effects.
What do people usually consult Integrative Psychiatrists for?
*Depression / Suicidal thoughts
*Anxiety / Nervousness
*Panic attacks
*Stress / Burn-out
*Disturbing thoughts / Worries
*Concentration difficulties
*Intense emotions or feelings
*Sleep problems
*Appetite problems
*Eating disorders
*Traumatic experiences
*Fibromyalgia
*Irritable Bowel Syndrome
*Post traumatic Stress Disorder
*Mood swings
*Bipolar Disorder
*Nervous breakdowns
*Psychosomatic illnesses
*Sexual difficulties
*Repetitive thoughts and behaviors
*Physical / Sexual abuse
*Body-image problems
*Impulse control problems
*Schizophrenia / Psychosis
*Other life problems
Besides psychiatric medications, what are some other interventions used in Integrative Psychiatry?
*Acupuncture
*Herbals and Supplements
*Hypnotherapy
*Dream Analysis
*Creative-Expressive Art Therapies
*Cathartic (Emotion-Releasing) Psychotherapies
*Touch Therapies
*Eye Movement Desensitization and Reintegration
*Body Manipulation and Massage Therapies
*Energy Healing Therapies
*Healing Qigong and Yoga Exercises
*Sex Therapy for Sexual Dysfunction
*and many other interventions
*and many other interventions
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