alternative-treatments - Page 1

How to Use SAMe in Clinical Practice

January 4, 2022

Garrett Rossi, MD. Inpatient/consult attending psychiatrist, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Pomona, NJ. Dr. Rossi has disclosed no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

SAMe is one of the few natural therapies that can hold its own against antidepressants. In this article, learn when and how to use it.

Nutritional Psychiatry in Practice

November 5, 2021

Drew Ramsey, MD.

Drew Ramsey, MD.

Assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, founder of the Brain Food Clinic, and the author of four books on nutrition and mental health, including 2021’s Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety (HarperWave). Dr. Ramsey has disclosed no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Nutritional psychiatry has come of age with three randomized controlled trials supporting its role in depression. Drew Ramsey, MD, explains how to blend these techniques in with old-school treatments.

Light Therapy: Good for What Ails You?

September 28, 2021

Edmund S. Higgins, MD.

Edmund S. Higgins, MD. Clinical associate professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Higgins has disclosed no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

The health benefits of light therapy are expanding its use beyond winter depression. Here we explore those promises and pitfalls, including ADHD, PTSD, bipolar depression, binge eating, sleep disorders, dementia, sexual dysfunction, traumatic brain injury, diabetes, and arthritis.

EXPERT Q&A

Probiotics in Psychiatry

December 31, 2020

Ted Dinan, MD, PhD

Ted Dinan, MD, PhD
Professor of psychiatry at University College Cork, Ireland. Dr. Dinan’s research focuses on depression, irritable bowel syndrome, and the influence of the gut microbiota on brain function. He has published over 500 scientific papers and numerous books, including 2019’s The Psychobiotic Revolution. Dr. Dinan has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

The gut microbiome is one of the newest entries in the list of causes of depression. Ted Dinan explains how the bacteria in the GI tract influence the brain, and whether a probiotic or a lifestyle change is the best way to address it.

Silexan: A Novel Anxiolytic

July 30, 2020

Chris Aiken, MD.

Chris Aiken, MD. Editor-in-Chief of TCPR. Practicing psychiatrist, Winston-Salem, NC. Dr. Aiken has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

This German medication outperformed paroxetine in generalized anxiety disorder and is available over the counter in the U.S.

Micronutrients in Mental Health

November 15, 2019

Julia Rucklidge, PhD

Julia Rucklidge, PhD

Professor, University of Canterbury, New Zealand Dr. Rucklidge has disclosed that she has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

Vitamins like B12 and folate have mental benefits, but what happens when you combine dozens of vitamins and nutrients in a single pill? We were skeptical, but the studies were positive, so we invited Julia Rucklidge to explain how these “micronutrients” work in ADHD, depression, autism, and general mental health.

A Practical Guide to Light Therapy

November 15, 2019

Chris Aiken, MD.

Chris Aiken, MD. Editor-in-Chief of The Carlat Psychiatry Report. Practicing psychiatrist, Winston-Salem, NC.

Few natural therapies perform well when stacked head-to-head with medication. Light therapy is an exception. When used correctly, it can treat winter and non-winter depression and augment antidepressants. Learn which lightboxes work, how to use them, and a new light therapy protocol for bipolar depression.

Treating Sexual Dysfunction in Women

October 3, 2019

Adam Strassberg, MD.

Adam Strassberg, MD. Dr. Strassberg treats sexual dysfunction through his private practice in Silicon Valley, CA. Dr. Strassberg has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.

There are two FDA approved treatments for low libido in women. In this article, we explain why they are not our first choice.