Depression & Anxiety- the holistic approach

Some  of the largest selling pharmaceuticals today are antidepressants along with sleeping pills. This reflects the rise in anxiety and depression  in our modern society. We're even medicating our children in an effort to assist them to function in school and social settings.
Whilst these medications are effective in reducing symptoms its important to look for and to address the root cause as there is evidence that long term use  may create additional health concerns.  
​Besides the need for every increasing dosing you might expect digestive disorders and neurological damage further down the track if the root cause is not addressed. 

Nutrient and herbal supplements can be equally helpful in alleviating the symptoms however their safety profile is considered healthier than pharmaceuticals. It is important to be aware however that herbal medicines (and selected foods) can interact with pharmaceutical medications and should be administered under profession guideance. Discuss this further with your health care practitioner. 

The holistic approach - characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a disease - seeks to identify and to treat the underlying causes of mental health disorders.  There are a number of places to look for potential clues.

• Firstly the diet and lifestyle components are not always the easiest to rectify however they are the corner stone of overall wellbeing and emotional health which can't be separated from overall physical health. As our lifestyles move farther and farther from our ancestral hunter gatherer and simple agricultural beginnings the burden of stress is becoming evident on adults and infants alike. Personal trauma and social difficulties should be considered and supported in a holistic model.
• Secondly we can look to your genetic makeup. Genetic polymorphisms in your genes may mean that you are not as resilient as the next person when it comes to coping with whatever life throws at you. Again its important to manage diet and lifestyle as these impact your genetic expression directly. 
• Gut bugs are responsible for producing the vast majority of your feel good chemicals which feed into your brain and subsequently how you feel day to day. Your focus, concentration, satisfaction, social capacity and sleep relying on chemicals such as melatonin, serotonin and epinephrine. It's common to find people with gut symptoms who also suffer with mental, emotional and sleep issues. 
• Organic Acids testing using a simple urine test looks more deeply into the biochemical pathways in the body and can assist in pin pointing specific nutrients deficiencies. 
• Heavy metal toxicity should also be investigated as chronic exposure from amalgam fillings, fish consumption, vaccines and industrial uses becomes more common in our society.  Those who are impacted by heavy metals often suffer neurological symptoms including depression, anxiety, OCD and learning difficulties. 

An early anthropologist named Weston A Price observed that traditional groups of people living on their ancestral diets were strong and happy and social and mentally resilient. His work even in the 21st century holds a valuable key for anyone looking to reverse the primary causes of disease including mental, emotional and sleep disorders. 

Jillaine can access the following tests and reports in support of a holistic approach to managing mental health and nervous system concerns. 

• BioCeuticals Genetic Reporting including Wellbeing, Detoxification, Methylation, Mood and Cognition Profile. 
• Functional pathology testing including heavy metal hair testing, general blood chemistry and neurotransmitter levels
• Hormone profiles
• Digestive function
• Microbial DNA profiling
• Hair Mineral Analysis & interpretation 
• As well as personal questionnaires and one on one history taking to evaluate the nutrient content of your current diet. 

Jillaine is available for consultations in person Tasmania & Brisbane or via Zoom or phone
Earth Mother Natural Health in Cygnet
or
 Gore Street Medical
www.echidnaacupuncture.com.auor Echidna Acupuncture