Also known as functional psychiatry, holistic psychiatry addresses wide-ranging behavioral and thought-process disorders. The practice focuses on the whole person and includes different models, such as biopsychosocial.
The biopsychosocial model treated patients with chronic pain. Traditionally, pain medicine focused on identifying neurological transmission and sensory issues on the biological level alone. Without considering social and psychological aspects, biomedical practitioners focused on how the skin and peripheral organs conveyed pain to the brain. Medical professionals have found that several factors influence any person’s pain perception. For example, negative emotions such as chronic stress, depression, and anxiety can raise the pain level and vice versa. Acknowledging the effects of negative emotions becomes the first step in changing thought patterns and behaviors and may lessen perceived pain. Those with chronic pain may additionally have heightened pain responses, with the nervous system developing an abnormal response to ordinary sensations. For example, patients with fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis may find that walking becomes painful and simply wearing clothing hurts. Drug use, including prescribed medications, may also impact the way that the body reacts to and processes stimuli such as pain. When initially prescribed, opioids often help address or mask the issue. However, in the long term, they can heighten pain sensitivity and make the problem worse. One natural pathway for addressing chronic pain is cognitive behavioral therapy, which is based on the concept that thoughts, feelings, and actions depend on each other. CBT involves collaborating with a therapist in talk sessions that work to identify and alleviate the negative emotions and unhealthy actions that often intensify perceptions of pain. Holistic approaches can also tackle related mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. For example, those who regularly experience elevated stress face heightened breathing and heart rate associated with the “fight or flight” syndrome, restricted blood flow, and increased inflammatory response. Symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, and difficulty sleeping may arise and compound the problem, resulting in general malaise. One holistic way of countering these issues is through relaxation techniques. In opposition to the stress response, the relaxation response slows heart rate and decreases blood pressure, signaling the body to produce lower stress hormone levels. Among the often self-administered modalities that may be effective in this are guided imagery, deep breathing, meditation, and yoga. Other holistic routes to mental health include proper nutrition, exercise, and exerting sustained lifestyle changes. Circadian rhythm and regulating hormones through regular sleep are foundational to mental health and stability. Associated with the body's internal clock, the circadian rhythm aligns with the sun, meaning that the body becomes tired when the sun goes down, producing the hormone melatonin. Then, the body gains renewed alertness with sunrise. Disruptions in this natural rhythm often throw off the natural sleep cycle and one’s mood regulation capacities. Circadian rhythm disruptions become acute among those with mood issues such as bipolar disorder and depression; they may find their condition aggravated significantly by even minor changes to their daily rhythm. Disrupted circadian responses include increased secretion of the stress hormone cortisol, which compounds the issue. Addressing sleep disturbances is thus vital to maintaining proper mental functioning. Approaching circadian rhythm concerns holistically starts with increasing sun exposure, suppressing daytime melatonin production, and encouraging alertness. Another aspect is finding a consistent routine, including an established bedtime, and sticking with it over the long term. Working with a therapist through modalities such as CBT can also help identify ways of finding a productive and satisfying routine that respects one’s sleep needs.
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AuthorSince 2006, Dr. Sridhar Yaratha has worked for Central State Hospital in Petersburg, Virginia, as a forensic psychiatrist and attending physician for the men’s long-term forensic unit. Archives
January 2020
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