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
