What Is Integrative Psychiatry and How Does It Benefit Your Wellness?

Talking about mental health has changed a lot in the past few years. We're finally treating our minds with the same care and attention we give our bodies. 

Imagine if there was something that looked at your health as a whole.

If traditional treatments don't work for you or if you think your mental health is interconnected with your general health, integrative psychiatry could give you the comprehensive support you need.

What Is Integrative Psychiatry

Integrative psychiatry makes use of proven medical methods and complementary therapies to approach mental health from different aspects. 

Unlike focusing only on your symptoms, this method tries to discover what could be causing your mental distress.

Integrative psychiatry seeks answers to more questions.

·         How's your sleep? 

·         What does your diet look like? 

·         Are there underlying nutritional deficiencies? 

·         How's really your gut health? 

·         Do you feel stress pretty much every day?

It sees mental health as being related to many areas of life.

Your mood and energy can improve or worsen depending on hormones, the people you are around and sunlight.

Hormones, the people you surround yourself with and exposure to sunlight can change your mood and energy levels.

Integrative Psychiatry & Wellness provides comprehensive and holistic mental health care. Book with us today.

The Core Philosophy Behind It

Integrative psychiatry is based on several main principles.

1.    Root Cause Focus: Rather than focusing only on treating symptoms, professionals look for the core reason. Depression could be connected to high levels of inflammation in your body, and anxiety might result from unstable blood sugar.

2.    Whole-Person Care: You receive care that considers all of you. Doctors think about your mental, physical and social state, and everyday routines, while setting up your plan.

3.    Partnering in Care: You are involved in making decisions about your health. Any discoveries you have about your body's response to treatments are considered and included in your care.

4.    Personalized Treatment: Your needs, preferences, and health status are used to develop your treatment plan.

How Integrative Psychiatry Benefits Your Wellness

This comprehensive approach offers several advantages.

Truly Personalized Care

Every person gets a treatment program made just for them.

A combination of therapy, medication, dietary advice, stress management, suggested exercises, and beneficial supplements might be advised. 

All selections are meant to fit your health and what you need.

Caring for the Body and Mind Equally

Integrative psychiatry sees that both physical and mental health are strongly related. 

Mood changes and poor mental focus may occur if you have gut health issues, need specific nutrients, or if hormones are not in balance. 

Addressing both types of care usually leads to better results.

Focus on Long-Term Wellness

It tries to address both current issues and the need for future stability rather than only masking symptoms.

You obtain skills and methods that help you for years, not only in emergencies.

Fewer Side Effects

Many people choose self-care, natural treatments, and diet changes, often allowing them to controls specific symptoms more gently.

A Better Overall Quality of Life

If your treatment considers your entire well-being, the results can be longer-lasting and go beyond only dealing with mental health symptoms. 

Many find they have more energy, better connections with others and feel good overall after starting.

What to Expect from Treatment

Your initial visit to an integrative psychiatrist most likely includes a thorough psychiatric evaluation covering more than the usual mental health questions. 

You should also expect to address how you feel mentally, what you eat, your sleep patterns, physical exercise, how much stress you face, and your usual daily routine.

Sometimes professionals in this area will test for nutritional deficiencies, hormone imbalances, and signs of inflammation that might affect someone's mental health.

Treatment might consist of therapy and, when required, the use of medicine, good nutrition, stress management, advice on exercise, and living healthier.

What matters is that every component plays a part in the bigger strategy.

The Growing Recognition of Integrative Approaches

Integrative mental health is increasingly being recognized in the broader medical community. 

Research and recent conferences consider mental health by using personalized and precise medicine, considering environmental, social, and cultural factors that play a role in well-being.

Your Next Step

Integrative psychiatry may be a good option if you'd like a broad approach to managing your mental health.

The goal is to include additional treatments that will help your entire physical and mental health.

Reach Out to Integrated Psychiatry and Wellness

At Integrated Psychiatry & Wellness, we understand that adequate mental health treatment needs to address the whole person. 

We offer a full range of services designed to meet you where you are:

·         Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluations. Evaluations that include a deep look into all your physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing

·         Adult and Young Adult Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is designed just for you and the challenges you are facing

·         Expert Psychopharmacology. When necessary, expert use of medications through careful management.

·         Specialized Treatment Programs. We blend various therapeutic approaches.

·         Holistic Care. Care that looks after your overall health.

·         Telehealth Services. People in California and Oregon can access Telehealth Services wherever they are for ease of care.

If you're interested in the benefits of holistic mental health care, contact Integrated Psychiatry & Wellness today to arrange your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is integrative psychiatry covered by insurance? 

Your insurance may not cover every type of treatment, but coverage depends on the insurance you have.

Many health plans cover therapy and medication handling, though some alternative treatments are usually not included and require you to pay for them separately.

Can integrative psychiatry replace my current medication? 

Changes in the type or amount of medication should always be handled by a medical professional.

Working together, integrative psychiatrists may help you find the best overall plan and eventually, this can include adjusting your medication in a safe and closely supervised way.