In today’s world, with the use of science there is a reawakening of ancient medicinal theories, that many call alternative medicine, which is based on the interrelations between the mind, body, and spirit. Alternative medicine is generally influenced by eastern philosophies, and since the early 1960s there a merging of alternative and conventional medicines has occurred as a result of the attention paid to holistic medicine through scientific research linking the mind and body. Research concludes that people who seek out alternative therapies are at least partly motivated by the desire to take responsibility for their own mental health.
What is Holistic Mental Health?
A holistic approach to mental-health care emphasizes the interrelationship between mind, body, and spirit. Although some alternative approaches have a long history, many remain controversial, but people are finding that choosing alternative treatments can work more effectively, have fewer side effects, and be cost effective.
Most doctors who treat patients suffering from mental-health issues, mainly depression and anxiety, use conventional medicines to treat the symptoms. However, we are learning that the use of pharmaceutical compounds to help stabilize moods can introduce significant side effects, leaving many patients with having to choose between living with unpleasant effects or discontinuing medications. Others find that despite an exhaustive trial-and-error process involving different combinations of drugs, their symptoms continue to present major problems, leading them to seek out alternative methods.
You see, depression is not is not a Prozac or Zoloft deficiency, nor is anxiety a Wellbutrin deficiency. Our bodies are not deficient of an antidepressant or anxiety medication. Depression or anxiety is a warning sign that something isn’t right with our body physically, mentally, or spiritually. Maybe our diet is off and we have a food allergy to something, or getting too little or too much of something else. Maybe we are lacking some sort of spiritual wellbeing, maybe our neurotransmitters just aren’t working correctly. The truth is our frame of mind can be anything. But clearly it isn’t just one thing. So why do we need to treat it as one thing? Holistic mental-health alternatives treat the body as a whole.
Common Reasons for Mental Health Symptoms
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Lack of exercise
- Hypo- or hyper-thyroidism
- Poor adrenal function
- Hormonal disorders
- Hypo- or hyper-glycemia (low-blood sugar)
- Food allergies
- Menopause or PMS
- Sleep disturbances
- Infections
- Certain medications
- Somatic disorders
- Chronic pain
With so many health factors that can cause mental-health concerns, one should first consider having a complete physical exam to eliminate any possible physical health problems. Unfortunately, in our society, many doctors treat mental-health issues with medication before performing a full physical evaluation. Part of the reason for doctor’s quick action for medicating is insurance protocol. It is far cheaper to medicate let’s say a depressed person than spend thousands of dollars running a series of tests and procedures. It’s good to know we can utilize our own resources to help not only alleviate but cure some mental-health issues and concerns.
Holistic mental health understands that traditional medicine or psychology has a limited understanding and knowledge about the role of body chemistry in mental health and the impact of diet, nutrition, and chemicals in the environment on the brain. Mental health is extremely affected by issues such as food allergies, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, hypoglycemia, low-blood sugar, and thyroid issues.
Traditional medicine also overlooks the powerful roles that spirituality plays on the emotional body and aspects of soul, our connection to spirit should be taken into consideration in the process of healing. A good sense of spirituality promotes healthy self-esteem, better motivation, and helps people come to terms with powerful inner experiences. Medical studies indicate that spiritual people exhibit fewer self-destructive behaviors such as abuse of drugs, alcohol, and gambling or other risk-taking behaviors.
Addressing mental-health issues holistically means being able to look at the system as a whole. Clients have an array of options in holistic mental health and are empowered with the fact that they have a choice in their treatment options. The client as well as the holistic health-care provider work together as a team to make sure the body, the mind, and the spirit are being treated as a whole.
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