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Our approach to mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression is truly personalized and integrative. We look at imbalances in the body that manifest in symptoms of anxiety and depression. At the same time, we acknowledge that sometimes to overcome these conditions pharmaceuticals are used while we are working on root cause. We often find the following imbalances are contributing factors for anxiety and depression:
The gut bacteria can sometimes be pro-inflammatory. We often work in functional medicine to improve the health of the gut microbiome because we know that there is a gut- brain connection. Inflammation in the gut can contribute to inflammation in the brain which is a new way of thinking about mental health disorders.
Genetically, some of us have a greater need for certain micronutrients which can influence our body’s neurotransmitter production. Genetic variants or “SNPs” Singe Nucleotide Polymorphisms can affect our predispositions to anxiety and depression. We look at micronutrient testing and sometimes organic acid testing and sometimes genetic testing to see if this is a factor for you.
Our hormones of course influence our mood. Often imbalances in hormones including adrenal, thyroid and sex hormones can be a factor for mood disorders as well as anxiety. This is often triggered in times of life when hormones are changing (think adolescence and menopause).
Environmental exposures can be a factor for chronic systemic inflammation which of course can affect the brain. We find heavy metals and biotoxins such as mold exposure or lyme disease are hidden causes of neural inflammation.
Our thoughts and feelings are sometimes triggered by our past experiences and often we have to factor this into our treatment plan to go beyond the conscious mind to find health.
Sometimes even despite all of the above or even while we are working through these factors conventional pharmaceutical medications can sometimes be helpful and needed. We de-prescribe more often than we prescribe but when prescription medication is needed we tend to utilize pharmacogenomics testing to figure out which medication is best for you. We perform a genetic test to see which medications are more likely to be effective and less likely to cause side effects.
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