Integrative Mental Health Care

Topics: Natural Medications

TCPR: Dr. Lake, please tell us what integrative medicine is.  Dr. Lake: In the broadest sense, integrative medicine encompasses methods and research findings from both mainstream biomedicine and the range of so-called complementary and alternative (CAM) specialties including, for example, acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, and homeopathy. Integrati

Deplin: Is it Just Folate by Another Name?

Topics: Depressive Disorder | Natural Medications

Patients are probably asking you about Deplin, or L-methylfolate, a version of folic acid that is being marketed by Pamlab as an adjunctive treatment for depression. In a prior issue of TCPR (June 2009) we reviewed available information on Deplin, concluding that there’s little evidence it is any more helpful for depression than much cheaper folic aci

Nuedexta for Pseudobulbar Affect

Topics: Mood Stabilizers | Natural Medications | Neuroscience in Psychiatry

Pseudobulbar affect (PBA), also known as pseudobulbar palsy, is a neurological condition in which patients have sudden outbursts of crying or laughing. While the episodes can be triggered by events that would ordinarily elicit genuine sadness or amusement, patients with PBA react with intense displays of emotion that they cannot control. The frequency o

Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Mood Disorders

Topics: Mood Stabilizers | Natural Medications | Women's Issues in Psychiatry

Are Omega-3s Effective for ADHD?

Topics: ADHD | Child Psychiatry | Natural Medications | Research Updates

The Carlat Guide to Medications Used for Insomnia

Topics: Antidepressants | Antipsychotics | Benzodiazepines | Hypnotics | Mood Stabilizers | Natural Medications

This handy table lists the medications most often used to treat insomnia. Click here to see table

St. John’s Wort or Celexa for Minor Depression?

Topics: Antidepressants | Depressive Disorder | Natural Medications

B Vitamins May Slow Brain Atrophy

Topics: Natural Medications

SAMe May be Effective Augmentation for Antidepressants

Topics: Antidepressants | Depressive Disorder | Natural Medications

Alternative Treatments for Depression

Topics: Antidepressants | Depressive Disorder | Natural Medications | Seasonal Affective Disorder

No clinician wants to be a “pill-pusher,” and most of our patients do not want that kind of treatment. So what can we offer our depressed patients beyond medications? In this article, we’ll review the literature on nonpharmacological strategies, including dietary supplements, food recommendations, light therapy, yoga and mindfulness meditation, an

Can Omega 3s Prevent Psychotic Disorders?

Topics: Antipsychotics | Natural Medications

An Update on Natural Treatments

Topics: Natural Medications

Since our last review of the evidence for natural treatments in April of 2006, several new studies have been published, though they haven’t necessarily clarified the efficacy picture. Here, we’ll look at how the most popular natural treatments stack up. Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids are still considered effective for the prevention of

When Natural Treatments are Debunked: Lessons for Practitioners

Topics: Natural Medications

The good news about natural treatments is that scientists have begun to take them seriously and over the past few years have conducted large clinical trials to find out if some are effective. The bad news is that for the most part, the results of these trials have been negative. You may have noticed a typical progression: from case studies to open la

Complementary Treatments in Psychiatry

Topics: Natural Medications

Combined Treatment Works Better Than Risperidone Alone for PDD

Topics: Child Psychiatry | Natural Medications

Treating Headaches in Psychiatry

Topics: Free Articles | Natural Medications | Neuroscience in Psychiatry

We know that headaches are common in the general population, but they are particularly common among patients with psychiatric problems. According to one review, (Pompili M et al., J Headache Pain 2009; 10(4):283-290) patients with depression have a 46% lifetime prevalence of migraine, while bipolar patients have a 51% prevalence. Patients with migraines

Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Suicidal Behavior

Topics: Natural Medications

Vitamin E and Cognitive Function in Women

Topics: Natural Medications

Natural Medications in Psychiatry: A Brief Survey

Topics: Natural Medications

In the companion article in this issue of TCPR, we reviewed some recent high-profile disappointments in the world of natural medications. Nonetheless, there are several natural treatments out there that may be helpful in psychiatry. Recently, the British Journal of Psychiatry published a review of “complementary medicines in psychiatry,” (Br J Ps

Dietary Supplements: Big Money, Small Regulation

Topics: Natural Medications

The world of alternative medicine is in a state of incredible disarray, in case you haven’t noticed. Over the last five years, a number of natural treatments have been subjected to the same kinds of rigorous double blind studies required of conventional medications, and they have fared poorly. Four of the most commercially popular of these treatmen