Natural Medications For Psychiatric Disorders

Updated for its Second Edition, this book is the only reference to focus exclusively on natural medications in psychiatry. Eminent psychiatrists from the Massachusetts General Hospital and other leading institutions examine current scientific and clinical data on the applications, effectiveness, and safety of natural psychotropics and acupuncture. Quick-reference tabular appendices list indications, contraindications, dosages, combinations, and drug-drug interactions for each remedy. This edition includes brand-new chapters on acupuncture, homeopathy, and therapies for substance dependence and weight management. The chapter on polypharmacy and side effect management addresses the growing issue of drug-drug interactions. New introductory chapters discuss complementary and alternative medicine in society and examine research limitations and quality assurance issues.

Updated for its Second Edition, this book is the only reference to focus exclusively on natural medications in psychiatry. Eminent psychiatrists from the Massachusetts General Hospital and other leading institutions examine current scientific and clinical data on the applications, effectiveness, and safety of natural psychotropics and acupuncture. Quick-reference tabular appendices list indications, contraindications, dosages, combinations, and drug-drug interactions for each remedy. This edition includes brand-new chapters on acupuncture, homeopathy, and therapies for substance dependence and weight management. The chapter on polypharmacy and side effect management addresses the growing issue of drug-drug interactions. New introductory chapters discuss complementary and alternative medicine in society and examine research limitations and quality assurance issues.

The first comprehensive guide to herbal medicine from a trusted mental health professional FROM THE RENOWNED AMEN CLINICS For many Americans suffering from depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and sleeplessness, daily living isn’t possible without medication. But some medications have troubling side effects, while others are just not effective. Herbal medicine provides a wealth of solutions, but the choices are daunting. In this comprehensive guide, the first one written by a mental health professional, Dr. Lillian Somner reveals how herbal medicine can be an effective part of your treatment. Drawing on over twenty years as a practicing psychiatrist, Dr. Somner helps patients and physicians alike navigate the rich, complex world of herbal medicine for mental health. *Explore all the latest information on the safety and efficacy of herbs *Identify the connection between hormones, the liver, the gut and mental health *Discover natural remedies such as black cohosh and chasteberry to alleviate PMS symptoms, warm, stimulating red ginseng to improve cognition and overall energy, and skullcap and passionflower to relieve tension and improve sleep An invaluable resource from a trusted physician, Herbal Medicine for Mental Health provides simple, natural solutions to your mental health struggles.

Discover herbal alternatives for the treatment of psychological disorders! Reliable and fact-filled, the Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs: A Scientific Analysis of Natural Treatments for Psychiatric Conditions offers psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, physicians, and students in these fields a comprehensive review of the history, pharmacology, chemistry, and uses of medicinal herbs. A valuable resource for understanding today's unregulated herbal marketplace, this essential guide examines such herbs as ginkgo, ginseng, kava kava, linden, German chamomile, St. John's wort, and valerian, among others. The Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs will help you make a well-informed decision on what herbal treatments may be effective and safe for patients, or for you! Figures show that 30 percent of American adults use herbs. The Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs investigates the medical value of over 30 well-known herbs through in-depth evaluations that will give you a fuller understanding of the uses and misuses of these natural remedies. This invaluable guide examines the history, use, and research findings of each herb. The Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs lists the effectiveness of each herb, guidelines for its use, and any precautions you need to be aware of, and also includes the author's recommendations on approved dosages. Containing cutting-edge information about herbal medicine, the Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs will assist readers in making intelligent choices about buying and using herbs. Some of the herbs discussed in this reliable and fact-filled book include: California poppy Chinese and American ginseng kava linden German and Roman chamomile St. John's wort lavender damiana passion flower plus many more! The Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs contains the history, use, phytochemistry, laboratory and clinical studies, and consumer and physician information for each of these widely-used herbs. This important book will help you better understand the role of plants in human psychopathophysiology and its treatment, enlightening you about alternative and proven herbal options for medical care. A Behavioral Science Book Club Main Selection!

This volume assists practicing mental health professionals in expanding their knowledge about nutritional and herbal interventions that can be attempted as alternatives to prescription medications. Designed to provide guidance for non-medical caregivers treating children and adolescents who present with emotional and/or behavioral difficulties such as such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, sleep difficulties, impulsivity, distractibility, and other psychological and psychiatric disorders, the volume provides a comprehensive discussion of naturopathic solutions based on existing research. In areas where research is not extensive, conclusions are provided about potentially beneficial effects based on the specific pharmacologic action of the compounds. Dosage for specific age groups, schedules of administration, dietary considerations (i.e., whether or not to take the supplement with food), monitoring for response and adverse effects, signs of dangerous reactions, and the need to control interactions with other compounds (i.e., prescription medications) are thoroughly reviewed with regard to each supplement discussed in the book. Reviews specific psychological disorders (i.e. ADHD, depression, mania, anxiety, sleep difficulties, tic behaviors and autism) and the available data about their treatment with the use of nutritional and herbal supplements. Provides rationale for the use of every specific compound with detailed recommendations tailored for each age group with regard to the dosage, frequency of administration, possible dangers and monitoring for side effects. Discusses claims of efficacy used to market various products and ground those claims within fully vetted scientific research. Discusses neurobiology, pharmacodynamics and pharmokinetics in detailed but accessible language *Non-medical clinicians with limited knowledge of medicine and pharmacology come away with understanding of key issues involved in Fully covers assessment, diagnosis & treatment of children and adolescents, focusing on evidence-based practices *Consolidates broadly distributed literature into single source and specifically relates evidence-based tools to practical treatment, saving clinicians time in obtaining and translating information and improving the level of care they can provide Detailed how-to explanation of practical evidence-based treatment techniques *Gives reader firm grasp of how to more effectively treat patients Material related to diversity (including race, ethnicity, gender and social class) integrated into each chapter *Prepares readers for treating the wide range of youth they will encounter in practice

This book presents the current clinical evidence on the efficacy of herbal and nutritional treatments for anxiety that is experienced in association with psychiatric disorders, and explains how health professionals can apply this knowledge to the benefit of patients presenting with a wide range of symptoms, including comorbid mood disorders. All chapters are written by world-leading researchers who draw on the findings of human clinical trials to provide uncompromising assessments of individual treatments, including herbal anxiolytics with sedative actions, adaptogens, cognitive anxiolytics, and nutraceuticals. Traditional treatments requiring further study – including the plant-based psychotropic Ayahuasca and other phytotherapies of potential value in the treatment of anxiety – are also reviewed. In the closing chapters, a series of helpful case studies are provided by mental health clinicians in order to illustrate how herbal and nutritional treatments can best be integrated into an overall treatment plan for individuals with a range of comorbid diagnoses. Mental health professionals, researchers, and general readers will find that the book provides an excellent review of current scientific knowledge gained from the study of herbal and nutritional treatments, together with important clinical recommendations for their use in patients experiencing clinically significant levels of anxiety.

The widespread use of nonconventional treatments, or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and the increasing evidence supporting their therapeutic benefits call for a concerted scientific effort to integrate treatments that work into mainstream medicines. Answering that call is the groundbreaking Complementary and Alternative Treatments in Mental Health Care, a concise, practical reference that reviews the many CAM approaches used in North America and Europe to treat -- or self-treat -- mental health problems, and the history and rationale for a variety of CAM treatments, including the risks and benefits of their integration into mainstream mental health care. Two dozen contributors with both conventional and nonconventional expertise present current information about safe, effective mental health treatments -- including herbals and other natural products, stress management, homeopathy, Ayurveda, and traditional Chinese medicine -- that have not yet been fully examined or endorsed by the institutions of conventional biomedicine. This book: Covers background issues, including conceptual and historical foundations, emerging ideas and trends, safety issues, potential drug interactions and adverse effects, and medical-legal issues pertaining to use of nonconventional treatments in mental health care. Reviews the evidence and offers practical clinical guidelines for the most widely used nonconventional treatments. Twelve chapters cover specific nonconventional modalities or alternative professional systems of medicine currently used to treat mental illness, addressing historical uses of the specified modality, significant recent research findings, unresolved safety issues, and evidence supporting use of the specified approach in common psychiatric disorders, from major depressive and bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and generalized anxiety disorder to obsessive-compulsive disorder, dementia, and sleep and substance abuse disorders. Practical clinical applications of complementary and alternative approaches are discussed throughout the book. Closes with three appendixes and a subject and author index. Appendix A ranks evidence for the various treatment modalities by major psychiatric disorder and is cross-referenced with the material in Part II. Appendix B lists important Web sites, textbooks, professional associations, and other resources. Appendix C contains a glossary of key terms used in complementary and alternative medicine. Written for both conventionally and nonconventionally trained mental health care professionals, Complementary and Alternative Treatments in Mental Health Care provides both an ideal reference for clinicians whose patients inquire about the uses of many CAM therapies and a critical, balanced review of the nonconventional modalities most widely used in Western countries to treat mental or emotional problems.

Argues that anxiety and fear are a part of everyone's life, and that the medical industry has created an epidemic out of over-diagnosing these conditions.