Integrative medicine provides patient-centered, science-based care by analyzing each patient’s unique genetic, biochemical and nutritional status. Instead of narrowly focusing on a diagnosis, the human body is viewed as a complex network of interacting systems, each influencing the whole.
Integrative psychiatry is grounded in biochemistry and brain science. It combines findings from the fields of nutrition and medicine to provide comprehensive, individualized treatment for mental illness. Instead of concentrating on the disease, Integrative Psychiatry focuses on who you are and how your unique biochemistry may affect your health and psychiatric symptoms.
Traditional psychiatry is currently based on prescribing medications without any objective data and with little focus on the individuality of each patient.
Medications are prescribed based solely on patient symptoms with a trial-and-error approach to treatment. The process of finding the right medication can be lengthy and frustrating. Integrative Medicine offers a different biologically-based approach to mental health and medication selection.
Integrative Psychiatry is a specialized program of Functional Medicine that works to restore optimal health and vitality. The practice of Integrative Psychiatry is based on five core beliefs:
- Focusing on each individual’s unique personality, environment, and metabolism
- Caring for the whole patient, not just treating the disease
- Understanding the human body 's interconnections
- Restoring health instead of simply reducing symptoms
- Increasing the body's nutrient reserves to promote long-term health
By focusing on the individual, Integrative Psychiatry can often produce improvement and encourage healing where traditional, symptom-based treatments have failed.