How to Find an Outstanding Mental Health Professional

Not all psychiatrists and physicians understand the roles that nutrient deficiencies and toxicities can play in depression. There are generally the same professionals who do not take a holistic approach to medicine in general. Many still believe that depression is all in your mind, although an ever-growing numbers of doctors in all specialties are coming to realize the importance of nutrition in proper brain functioning.

If your family physician is opened to holistic medicine, he or she would be an obvious first choice, given his or her knowledge of your past medical history, as well as an on-going relationship with you. Your doctor may be familiar with the benefits of herbal medicine and other aspects of natural medicine, and may be willing to explore these possibilities. He or she may also know practitioners-psychiatrists, naturopaths or others-who can conduct the detailed testing needed to find the nutritional deficiencies or toxicities that may be contributing to your depression.

Be aware that few conventionally trained doctors are experts in the field of nutrition, and unfortunately, some who are not have jumped on this newly popular bandwagon. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has taken additional training in the form of a three or four year residency program. He or she learns diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illness, psychotherapy, biological aspects of mind and emotions, and psychiatric conditions. Psychiatrists trend to treat more serious problems, and prescribe medication. Read the rest of this entry »