The Treatment of Anxiety and Depression via Dr. Kelly Raylinsky
HEALING starts with FEELING
When it comes to evaluating anxiety and depression, I find all people live on a spectrum. Sometimes anxiety and depression present in response to stressful situations like traumas, injuries, divorces, arguments, breakups or job changes. Other times anxiety and depression can stick around because there is constant stress or because for some reason someone feels ‘wired’ to run that way. The first step toward healing is ALLOWING YOURSELF TO FEEL. The world we live in today suggests that feelings like anxiety and depression are always abnormal but that is not always true! When people allow themselves to genuinely FEEL more of the time- people will have an easier time healing. With this mindset, people then dispel excess frustration related to their displacement at the moment and instead find acceptance, support and ability to live more balance.
TREATMENT TO START HEALING
Nutritional Analysis: Food allergies, nutrient deficiencies,
and blood sugar imbalances can all be REASONs for anxiety and depression and
once identified and treated can completely eliminate mental health imbalances.
Proteins are the building blocks of neurotransmitters, nutrients are co-factors
in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, and glucose is the only food source for
the brain. A thorough look into nutrition can help your body make what it
should and possibly unlock the reason of why it hasn’t been doing it all along.
Digestion/Toxic Overload: Assimilation of nutrients is
imperative if we ever hope to use what we take in. If we have low stomach acid
we cannot break down proteins well, if we are having diarrhea or constipation,
it may be that we have absorption issues that need to be addressed to help use the
nutrients we take in. Toxins from pollution, chemicals, metal toxicity, and poor
diet can all contribute to a toxic burden in our livers (the organ that
processes toxins). If we are not detoxing properly we FEEL toxic. Symptoms of
depression, fatigue, anxiety, nausea, anger, irritability can all be signs we
need to detox .
Endocrine System:
There are many systems to consider when we approach mental health. Thyroid
problems as a result of genetics, autoimmunity, toxic overload, or age can
cause depression, weight gain, and fatigue. Adrenal dysfunction can occur as a
result of constant, unrelenting stress which can cause us to live in a state of
‘fight or flight’ causing anxiety, PTSD, digestive disturbances, allergies,
increased inflammation, weight gain, fatigue, or insomnia.
Genetics: The Naturopathic approach is all about treating
the cause of the problem. Now we can take a look at different genetic problems
like MTHFR (a defect in folate metabolism), deficiencies and other related defects
in our biochemistry that if treated, can help spin those cycles back into balance. This can account
for things like myalgias, neuropathic pain, depression, fatigue, psychosis,
insomnia, panic disorders and mood imbalances to name a few!
Medication: Medications are always a consideration. They can be the key to mental health balance
for those who have not had success with other methods, other times it can
provide a bridge until things get easier and until a support network is
established. But no matter what, a medication does not have to mean life-long. The best plan when we use a medication is to work on treatment while medications are being used, develop tools and new resources, replenish the system with what it really needs. I find a lot of people are scared to let go of their security blanket but when we build a strong foundation, we no longer need it.
