A new report from the National Center for Health Statistics outlines the latest survey data around attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnoses in the United States (Reuben 2024). The data found that 11.3% of children between the ages of 5 and 17 had received a diagnosis of ADHD. In boys, the percentage was higher, at 14.5%, while 8% of girls had been given the diagnosis. Of interest, the results found racial and economic disparities. Diagnoses in white children were 13.4%, while black and Hispanic children were 10.8% and 8.9% respectively. In families below the poverty level ..read more

For decades, the narrative surrounding depression has centered on “chemical imbalances” in the brain. When the first antidepressants were discovered, it was unknown how they reduced depression symptoms. Since the medications had notable effects on neurotransmitters, Imbalances in serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine were put forward as a hypothesis as to how they worked. This narrative was further developed with the introduction of Prozac, where the pharmaceutical industry leaned heavily into the idea, marketing Prozac and other serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as a fix for these hyp ..read more

Confused about the sea of conflicting information around fish oil’s health benefits? You’re not alone. One minute, it’s hailed as the holy grail for heart and mental health; the next, it’s dismissed as useless. So, what’s the real story about these essential fatty acids primarily found in fish? Omega-3 fats are important as a supplement for several reasons. First and foremost is their effect on inflammation. Pretty much all chronic disease, including mental health conditions and dementia, is associated with increased inflammation (Giacobbe 2020). And taking omega-3 fatty acids can help to l ..read more

The trace minerals copper and zinc must be in balance. Frequently, in children with ADHD, they are not. A Potential Source of Toxic Copper Exposure: School Water Supplies Many of our children are exposed to excess copper through a surprising source: school drinking water. While sampling data is sparse, as most schools are not required to monitor drinking water quality, a study from Massachusetts found that 9% of schools had one sample or more that exceeded allowable limits for copper (Ram 2019). Flushing the system periodically was found to have only modest impacts on reducing copper concen ..read more

Whole-person care for your patient includes caring for their mind, emotions, and body. It also includes caring for their spirit. Spirituality is “the way individuals seek ultimate meaning, purpose, connection,  value or transcendence,” according to the International Consensus Conference on Spiritual Care in Health Care. This could include organized religion, but extends to various forms of spirituality, such as nature, community, family, meditation or yoga. Research shows that a sense of ultimate meaning and purpose in life decreases psychological stress. Meaning and purpose is also a ..read more

There’s the green pill and the blue pill—and they’re both very potent. “N” stands for nature—and I’m hardly the first person to suggest that spending time in nature is so good for you, it’s like taking a vitamin. That kudo goes to Richard Louv, author of the book Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life. In this landmark book, Louv points out that spending time in nature is particularly important for mental health. “Experiences in the natural world may reduce the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, serve as a buffer to depression and anxiety, help prevent or r ..read more

Nearly six million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and levels are projected to increase (AA 2023). It’s estimated that one in nine people aged 65 and older have the condition (AA 2023). Other “neurodegenerative” illnesses, such as Parkinson’s disease, are also on the rise. Scientists believe these diseases are caused by a combination of environmental, genetic, and lifestyle factors. In response, over the past two decades, pharmaceutical companies have invested a huge amount of money and resources to develop new drugs for dementia treatment. Unfortunately, fa ..read more

The research on the relationship between the gut and the brain continues to find startling connections and correlations. One condition not often considered as having a relationship with mental health is celiac disease. Normally, celiac disease is considered a cause of intestinal problems due to an inflammatory reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss. Yet the spectrum of celiac disease and the symptoms it can produce is much broader, including anxiety, depression and even psychosis. Understanding the complex inter ..read more

New research continues to reveal a powerful link between chronic inflammation and mental health problems. A recent meta-analysis linked depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder with higher levels of inflammation (Kuring 2023). In the study, the type of inflammatory response varied based on the diagnosis, yet all three diagnoses still showed significant associations. Other conditions have also been shown to have correlations with inflammation, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia (Solmi 2021, Zhou 2021). Identifying and treating any and all factors causing or contributi ..read more

The traditional model of prescribing medication first, on trial and error has not been sufficient in our current treatment of mental illness. The rates of suicide have been skyrocketing year after year and patients have been desperately searching for alternative treatment approaches. If you are thinking to yourself, “there must be a better way to treat my mental health patients!” – you are right. There is a more effective, evidence based model. Integrative psychiatry and functional psychiatry is changing the landscape of mental health treatment by addressing the underlying root causes of m ..read more