Orthomolecular Approach To Psychiatry

One of the most significant discussions taking place in the field of psychiatry is the integration of the holistic approach in treating mental illness. The reason this method is gaining popularity is due to the adverse side-effects that people tend to experience while taking psychoactive drugs. As a result, society has begun to vilify and question the standard use of these medications and have now opened a window of opportunity to consider a different form of treatment relating to one’s mental health. There is an assumption that there is minimal risk when applying the holistic approach and some may think this method will validate that natural remedies are a better option than medications. Although I agree with this method up to a point, I cannot …show more content…
She was diagnosed in 2002 with paranoid schizophrenia and was put on several medications that would be taken for a short time and then abruptly stop. This continued for several years until she started trying different dietary approaches ranging from a protein-rich fad diet to Veganism. Along with this change in diet, Royal used the Orthomolecular approach for her illness, which is similar to the holistic approach that uses vitamins and minerals that are vital to the body. Using this method only gave a partial remedy, but she also was not taking any medications. This led to a serious relapse, which was the deciding factor to start taking her medications again. This is a first-hand account from a someone who has tried one or the other and then both. Completely implementing the holistic method showed minimal improvement and, in the end, she still has to be on psychotropic medications. The outcome is that she continues to take her medications, but also leads healthier lifestyle and for her…it …show more content…
When it comes to the holistic approach and psychoactive drugs, I know what it’s like to be on either side and in the middle. I’ve had about eight different psychiatrists, been on the psychoactive drugs Topamax, Depakote, Abilify, Tegretol, Risperdal, Seroquel and Wellbutrin. With these specific medications, there was either no change in my disorders or the side-effects were unbearable. On a side note, Seroquel is one medication administered for bipolar and schizophrenia and by far one of the worst medications I have taken. The side-effects of this medication were not just physically painful, but mentally it was like dancing with the devil in the pale moonlight. Finally, I started seeing a psychiatrist that utilized CAM in his practice. After slowly being weaned off of Seroquel, he decided to try the holistic method before trying another medication. The regimen was to take St. Johns Wart, multi-vitamins, meditation, and hypnosis. As expected, there was no change in my mental state and it appeared to worsen, which led to being committed in a mental facility. In fact, this happened a couple times before my stubbornness kicked in and I started to take the reins, take charge and decide what is going to be the best for me