Whole-Body Psychiatry: Nutrition for Mental Health

Scientists believe that numerous genetic flaws create the propensity for schizophrenia, which may then be triggered by some form of stress, such as illness or extraordinary environmental pressures. In addition, people with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses often have lifestyles that compound the biochemical storm within. They frequently overuse stimulants and they smoke, which inactivates vitamin B6, depletes other nutrients, and increases oxidative stress. And they often have poor diets.
Integrative psychiatrists approach schizophrenia and other mental illness by treating the whole person, examining their problems through the different lenses that Hedaya describes. They urge them away from drugs, alcohol, and smoking; encourage exercise and a good night’s sleep; suggest healthy ways of connecting to other people, nature, and a spiritual practice; and combat biochemical imbalance with an array of supplements and other nutritional interventions (see next page for specific nutritional tips).
The good news is that when problems of the brain are treated with a whole-body approach, issues in other parts of the body often resolve. “Sometimes their skin clears up,” says naturopath Ray Pataracchia, ND. “Their energy level picks up. I had one client who said that everyone at work teased him because his abdomen looked like a basketball. When I treated him, his digestion improved and the ‘basketball’ went away.”
Not everyone seeking help for his or her own mental illness or that of a loved one can find a clinician committed to this whole-body treatment, but any committed clinician can learn the science behind these approaches. “All this is complicated, but it’s not rocket science,” says Becker. “It should be taught to psychiatrists, but it’s not. I had to learn it all on my own; most of the information is out there on PubMed.”
Patients and their families shouldn’t be shy about pushing their clinicians to look beyond the latest wonder drug and try to incorporate some orthomolecular strategies. “Patients should compel their doctors to prescribe vitamins,” says Andrew Saul. “Manage the doctor; don’t let the doctor manage you. It’s your body, your life, and the doctor works for you.”
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