As a Psychiatrist, I am trained and understand that Mental Health Challenges are related to Physical, Psychological and Social Factors.   This fact is acknowledged in conventional as well as integrative Psychiatry, but often the conventional Psychiatrist focuses on the symptoms alone without searching for the underlying factors that have caused the symptom to occur.  Recent research has discovered that there is a strong relationship between inflammation and both physical and mental health symptoms.  The primary physical factors that modify a person's genetics and cause inflammation and dysfunction are: 1) allergens; 2) infections or imbalance of the microbes in the gut; 3) toxins; 4) diet and nutrition and 5) lifestyle and stress.   In addition, the microbes in the gut produce a large amount of neurotransmitters - including more serotonin and dopamine than in the brain!  As a holistic and integrative Psychiatrist, the importance of evaluating the function of the brain, the body and the behavior, along with the Psychological, Social and Spiritual factors for each person, is critical in order to result in true health.

Read more