Mental illness is often defined as a lack of mental ease or balance. Those afflicted with mental illnesses such as chronic depression, psychosis or schizophrenia, have traditionally been referred to psychiatrists for treatment, and their treatment has heavily relied on psychotropic drugs to suppress symptoms and help the patient lead a more normal life. The issue of actually “healing” the patient was buried under drug therapy, and in fact, many mental illnesses were deemed manageable, but incurable. Recently, psychiatrists have begun to question the historical model of psychiatry which has resulted in the emergence of some alternative treatments and drugs.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs) who have been trained in psychotherapy and the use of psychotropic medications. As MDs, they, unlike almost all other mental illness practitioners and therapists, are legally authorized to write prescriptions, and in fact, the manual they use to diagnose and treat is quite cut and dry.
Psychologists are professionally trained and certified therapists who treat the symptoms of a mentally ill patient with various treatment modalities, depending on the symptoms presented. If they determine their patients require medication, they have always had to refer patients to a psychiatrist or another physician.
Because psychiatrists have historically always medicated their patients, and many have left the actual therapy to psychologists, this led to a rather uneasy relationship between the big pharmaceutical firms and the medical practitioners who were supposed to be looking after their patients first, and the drug companies second. Psychiatrists sometimes found themselves under increasing pressure to prescribe first, rather than explore other treatment modalities, or even make sure that a diagnosis was accurate.
“The times they are a changin’!” Some states are now allowing psychologists who have undergone extensive training, to prescribe medications. But far more is going on in terms of changes for psychiatrists.
Any responsible psychiatrist, as an MD, has a responsibility to their patients to first determine whether there are any underlying physical issues that could be the cause of the mental illness symptoms being presented. This is actually very important, because there are real physical problems that can and do cause mental illness symptoms. (For example, an underactive thyroid can cause excessive anxieties – but the best treatment is to bring the thyroid levels into balance – not prescribe psychotropic drugs.
If it is determined that there are no underlying medical problems, the new face of psychiatry will include some or all of the following:
* Customizing treatment to each individual patient’s needs.
* Use of generic drugs, or even over-the-counter medications, if they are indicated.
* Actively listening to a patient’s life story to surface stumbling blocks or unresolved issues.
* Become actively engaged in the treatment of the patient by retaining a consultant status with the therapist and keeping on top of how the treatment is progressing. It is especially important that the doctor stay on top of patient therapy progress when medications are involved as dosages may have to be adjusted from time to time – or even eliminated or changed out – whatever course of action most benefits the patient.
* Exploring the use of natural or orthomolecular substances, such as amino acids to treat the patient, rather than traditional psychotropic drugs. The amino acids are perceived by the body as “self,” so are readily accepted, as opposed to the traditional psychiatric medications that produce short term behavioral change but act on the brain more like an invading army than a guardian angel, and actually inhibit the brain’s own production of amino acids.
* Utilizing guided exercise and meditation, sometimes called the “New Yoga.”
* Music therapy
* Physical exercise
* Proper nutrition
In the past, psychiatrist, and pharmaceutical companies have behaved and diagnosed as though there were no mind-body connection. Treating the brain was completely separate from treating the body. The drugs that were being used to “help” the patient did not address some of the essential mind “food” that is required for mental health, nor, as mentioned above, take into account what was going on in the rest of the body. It is now better understood that proper mental functioning requires nutrients such as amino acids which are depleted during periods of mental stress, depression or emotional crises. It makes sense, then, to replenish depleted reserves. While the presence of amino acids in and of themselves, do not heal the patient; their presence is required to allow healing to begin.
So, how does guided exercise and meditation help a mentally ill patient? Patients are taught beginner yoga, which focuses on deep breathing, stretching, and getting in touch with their minds and bodies. Basically, they are slowing down and focusing on themselves, which is an overly simplistic discussion of this form of exercise. In addition, they are guided through various exercises and meditations until the process can be better termed meditational exercise. Studies of depressed, anxious, and other “mentally ill” patients has shown that the combined yoga/meditation sessions are very beneficial, and in fact, depression and anxiety decrease significantly, while general health, vitality, social functioning and mental health show a dramatic improvement after a very short time.
The new and improved psychiatric practices focus on seeing each patient as an individual and treatment plans are tailored to whatever physical and mental problems each person has. There is finally an understanding that the mind and body are intrinsically connected, and both need to be treated to achieve mental health.
Patients with anxiety or depression issues – even those who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia – need to take it upon themselves to seek out become informed, recognize that the face of psychiatry is changing, and find the best practitioner to fit their beliefs and life styles.
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Author Stephen Daniels highly recommends a Las Vegas psychiatrist to help diagnose and treat anxiety disorders, substance abuse, depression, schizophrenia or any combination of these mental health issues. Dr Zedek brings more than 12 years of experience treating a range of mental health issues for patients in and around Las Vegas, Nevada.
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