Integrative Medicine for Anxiety and Depression

The number of Americans affected by serious depression and anxiety disorders is enormous. The National Institute of Mental Health reported that in 2019 approximately 7% of American adults suffered from at least one major depressive episode and nearly 20% of adults suffered from an episode of anxiety [1]. Unfortunately, these numbers will increase with the global COVID-19 pandemic adding heavy emotional and physical stressors on individuals here and across the globe [2].

Adolescents are also increasingly suffering. Teen depression and/or anxiety may not look exactly the same as it does in adults, but the consequences are equally dire if left untreated.

The impact of mental illness goes well beyond the enormous economic burden on society. Individuals who suffer from depression and anxiety disorders may withdraw and isolate themselves from friends and family, they may struggle with sleep disturbances, experience mood swings and feelings of low self-worth, a loss of productivity and wages, and physical pain.

Despite tremendous advances in health care, as many as 30% of patients do not respond to treatment, raising the question: could it be that we’re thinking about — and therefore treating — these conditions in the wrong way?

Mental Illness as a Symptom, Not a Condition

At The Kaplan Center, we look at depression and anxiety a little bit differently. Scientific research over the last 15+ years has demonstrated that neuropsychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and possibly bipolar disease are, in a very high percentage of cases, the result of inflammation occurring in the brain.

What causes brain inflammation?

Brain inflammation, or neuro-inflammation, is unique in that it is mediated by tiny cells called microglia. Microglia are the innate immune system of the central nervous system. Their job is to respond to trauma and damage to the brain. In response to brain injury, the microglia release a virtual symphony of chemical mediators that orchestrate the destruction of bacterial invaders, the elimination of damaged neuronal tissue, and the initiation of the repair process.

Ongoing and cumulative assaults to the brain (e.g., fever, physical assault, and emotional trauma) will cause the microglia to remain chronically up-regulated, causing them to continuously spew out inflammatory, tissue-destroying chemicals rather than returning to a resting state.

This brain inflammation produces a wide range of symptoms including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, difficulty focusing and concentrating, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.