What is Integrative Psychiatry?
Integrative psychiatry is the field of psychiatry
which uses complementary and alternative
therapies alongside conventional psychiatric
treatment.
which uses complementary and alternative
therapies alongside conventional psychiatric
treatment.
Integrative psychiatry is a holistic approach
because of its focus on the different dimensions
of a person’s being which include the physical,
cognitive, emotional, spiritual, energetic,
interpersonal, cultural, and ecological
dimensions.
because of its focus on the different dimensions
of a person’s being which include the physical,
cognitive, emotional, spiritual, energetic,
interpersonal, cultural, and ecological
dimensions.
Integrative psychiatry is an empowering and
respectful approach because it allows patients to
select interventions which are in keeping with
their beliefs, preferences, and cultural ways of
being.
respectful approach because it allows patients to
select interventions which are in keeping with
their beliefs, preferences, and cultural ways of
being.
Integrative psychiatry is focused not only on
treating illnesses but more so, on pursuing
and maintaining health and wellness.
treating illnesses but more so, on pursuing
and maintaining health and wellness.
Integrative psychiatry is collaborative and
recognizes the doctor-patient relationship as a
key element in the patient’s healing.
recognizes the doctor-patient relationship as a
key element in the patient’s healing.
What organizations support the development of
Integrative Psychiatry?
Integrative Psychiatry?
Integrative Psychiatry is acknowledged by the
World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the
American Psychiatric Association (APA).
World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the
American Psychiatric Association (APA).
What are reasons for developing the field of
Integrative Psychiatry?
Integrative Psychiatry?
*Research indicates that a more and more people
are turning to complementary and alternative
medicine (CAM) not only as an aid in their healing,
but also for stress management and for the
maintenance of their over-all wellness.
are turning to complementary and alternative
medicine (CAM) not only as an aid in their healing,
but also for stress management and for the
maintenance of their over-all wellness.
*Conventional psychiatric treatments are not
always a 100% effective and may have unwanted
side effects.
always a 100% effective and may have unwanted
side effects.
*A multicultural society dictates that traditional
ways of healing have to be respected.
ways of healing have to be respected.
*The effectivity and safety of some
complementary and alternative therapies are
supported by scientific research. These include
therapies such as acupuncture, biofeedback,
herbs and supplements, massage, meditation,
exercise, etc.
complementary and alternative therapies are
supported by scientific research. These include
therapies such as acupuncture, biofeedback,
herbs and supplements, massage, meditation,
exercise, etc.
*CAM is cost-effective because it focuses on
stimulating the self-healing potential of
individuals and because it emphasizes the
necessity of making healthy lifestyle changes.
stimulating the self-healing potential of
individuals and because it emphasizes the
necessity of making healthy lifestyle changes.
*Even CAM has its risks of side effects. Therefore
Integrative psychiatry encourages research on the
safety and effectivity of complementary and
alternative treatments.
Integrative psychiatry encourages research on the
safety and effectivity of complementary and
alternative treatments.
What is an important tenet in Integrative
Psychiatry?
Psychiatry?
Integrative Psychiatry follows the principles of
evidence-based medicine. This means that
complementary and alternative treatments offered
must be scientifically proven to be safe and
effective. In the absence of scientific evidence,
integrative psychiatrists can still offer
complementary or alternative treatment modalities
that have promising or possible therapeutic value
as long as they are not harmful in any way.
evidence-based medicine. This means that
complementary and alternative treatments offered
must be scientifically proven to be safe and
effective. In the absence of scientific evidence,
integrative psychiatrists can still offer
complementary or alternative treatment modalities
that have promising or possible therapeutic value
as long as they are not harmful in any way.
Who can benefit from Integrative Psychiatry?
*Those who want to use complementary and
alternative therapies for stress management.
alternative therapies for stress management.
*Those who want to use complementary and
alternative therapies for the maintenance of health
and wellness.
alternative therapies for the maintenance of health
and wellness.
*Those who are already receiving conventional
treatment but wish to optimize their healing
through complementary and alternative therapies.
treatment but wish to optimize their healing
through complementary and alternative therapies.
*Those who are non-responders to conventional
treatment.
treatment.
*Those who poorly tolerate conventional
treatment and suffer from side-effects.
treatment and suffer from side-effects.
What do people usually consult Integrative
Psychiatrists for?
Psychiatrists for?
*Depression / Suicidal thoughts
*Anxiety / Nervousness
*Panic attacks
*Stress / Burn-out
*Disturbing thoughts / Worries
*Concentration difficulties
*Intense emotions or feelings
*Sleep problems
*Appetite problems
*Eating disorders
*Traumatic experiences
*Fibromyalgia
*Irritable Bowel Syndrome
*Post traumatic Stress Disorder
*Mood swings
*Bipolar Disorder
*Nervous breakdowns
*Psychosomatic illnesses
*Sexual difficulties
*Repetitive thoughts and behaviors
*Physical / Sexual abuse
*Body-image problems
*Impulse control problems
*Schizophrenia / Psychosis
*Other life problems
Besides psychiatric medications, what are some
other interventions used in Integrative
Psychiatry?
other interventions used in Integrative
Psychiatry?
*Acupuncture
*Herbals and Supplements
*Hypnotherapy
*Dream Analysis
*Creative-Expressive Art Therapies
*Cathartic (Emotion-Releasing) Psychotherapies
*Touch Therapies
*Eye Movement Desensitization and Reintegration
*Body Manipulation and Massage Therapies
*Energy Healing Therapies
*Healing Qigong and Yoga Exercises
*Sex Therapy for Sexual Dysfunction
*And many other interventions
*And many other interventions
