In my training I learned to screen for medical conditions such as diabetes and hypo/hyperthyroidism prior to beginning therapy with a client – why? Because often times symptoms such as depression and anxiety accompany these conditions. Surely, If a depression is rooted in a medical condition it makes sense to refer the client to doctor first.
Kelly Brogan (functional medicine Psychiatrist) takes it a step further and argues that depression and anxiety is not a chemical imbalance or disease but rather a symptom of inflammatory disorders caused by poor lifestyle choices (sedentary/poor diet/ high stress). In her book, A Mind of Your Own, Kelly talks about the connection between the gut and brain while revealing about the profit driven model of Psychiatry that serves to mask symptoms without treating the underlying problem and in many cases exacerbating symptoms due to side effects of psychotropic meds.
If you struggle with depression and anxiety, please do yourself a favor and self assess before you reach out to a mental health professional. What does your self care look like? Your diet and exercise regiment? Simple lifestyle changes are a crucial place to start! It is so empowering to realize and better yet, experience that your physical and mental health is in your hands and not something broken to be remedied by pills!
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