A Flawed Approach to Mental Health
What if mental health disorders are not 'just' psychiatric disorders?
We've all seen the statistics - we are truly in the eye of the storm when it comes to mental health. In the UK and the US, one in four adults has mental health challenges, with even more alarming rates among young people. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for our young people aged 15 to 29.
Even without the tragic statistics related to suicide, individuals with severe mental health conditions often face premature death due to preventable physical conditions.
A FLAWED APPROACH
The conventional medical model treats mental health as a psychiatric issue ONLY, focusing on thoughts, experiences, and trauma. While these factors can undoubtedly be causative, when we focus on these we are missing large part of the picture.
WHAT'S MISSING?
Neurotransmitter Imbalances: These chemical messengers play a crucial role in mood regulation and require specific nutrients from our diet. Deficiencies can lead to mood disorders.
Genetic Factors: Some individuals are more susceptible to mental health challenges due to genetic variations. Understanding and testing for these variations can help tailor support. Time and again I have seen anxiety / OCD improve when these genetic variations are supported appropriately.
Nutrient Deficiencies: Nutrients play a crucial role in maintaining mental health, and poor dietary choices can lead to deficiencies linked to mood disorders.
Digestion: It doesn't matter how good your diet is, unless your digestion is working optimally you will not be absorbing your nutrients and may then be deprived of the building blocks needed to synthesise neurotransmitters - think amino acids and vitamin / mineral cofactors. Stress exacerbates this further creating a vicious cycle that is hard to break out of without the right support.
Gut microbiome: A balanced gut microbiome is vital for mental well-being, given the gut-brain axis and bi-directional communication.
Hormones: Think adrenals, thyroid, sex hormone balance - imbalances in all or any of these can both cause and exacerbate mental health disorders.
A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH...
Given the current mental health epidemic, more than ever, we need an integrative, functional, precision, personalised approach to help to recover health and happiness
Only an approach which takes into account the many biochemical imbalances, as well as psychological stressors and lifestyle factors, can tackle the root causes of complex mental illness, help patients heal, and address the unprecedented mental suffering in our societies.
Functional medicine offers a comprehensive solution, involving testing and considering factors like neurotransmitter levels, gut health, nutrient deficiencies, hormones, genetic variations and more. With a detailed understanding of unique biochemistry, personalised plans can be created, potentially incorporating dietary changes, supplements, and lifestyle adjustments.