Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use by Psychiatric Inpatients

Abstract

82 psychiatric inpatients hospitalized for acute care were interviewed about their use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities. The clinical diagnoses of respondents included Depressive Disorder (61%), Substance Abuse (26%), Schizophrenia (9%), and Anxiety Disorders (5%). Analysis indicated that 63% used at least one CAM modality within the previous 12 mo. The most frequently used modality was herbal therapies (44%), followed by mind-body therapies such as relaxation or mental imagery, hypnosis, meditation, biofeedback (30%), and spiritual healing by another (30%). Physical modalities such as massage, chiropractic treatment, acupuncture, and yoga were used by 21% of respondents. CAM therapies were used for a variety of reasons ranging from treatment of anxiety and depression to weight loss. However, most respondents indicated they did not discuss such use with their psychiatrist or psychotherapist.

Movement and Mindfulness: A Formative Evaluation of a Dance/Movement and Yoga Therapy Program with Participants Experiencing Severe Mental Illness

“…There exists a growing body of research that explores the benefits of using yoga, meditation, and/or other Eastern body-based interventions in clinical facilities serving psychiatric populations (Davis, Strasburger, & Brown, 2007;Elkins, Rajab, & Marcus, 2005;Kozasa et al, 2008;Weiser, Kutz, I., Kutz, S., & Weiser, 1995). Some studies have shown that there are significant improvements in mood and anxiety symptoms of psychiatric patients after participating in yoga or meditation (Davis et al, 2007;Kozasa et al, 2008;Lavey et al 2005), and modest improvements were revealed in a 4-month study of yoga therapy as an add-on treatment in patients experiencing schizophrenia (Duraiswamy et al, 2007).…”

The Effects of Powdered Fertilized Eggs on Depression

“…3,5,6 Approximately 44% of psychiatric inpatients have used an herbal preparation to treat a variety of symptoms. 7 Egg components have a variety of physiologic effects, including novel antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and antihypertensive activities; antioxidant properties; protease-inhibiting ability; and nutrient bioavailability. 8 The isolate investigated in the current study, Young Tissue Extract (YTE Ò ; Med-Eq AS, Tonsberg, Norway), is extracted from fertilized, partially incubated hen eggs.…”

Treatment of Insomnia with Comorbid Mental Illness

“…[54][55][56][57][58][59][60] CAMs are more commonly used by those with psychiatric disorders especially patients with anxiety, depression and insomnia. [61][62][63] CAMs have shown to improve sleep in 4.5% of insomnia patients translating to 1.6 million U.S. citizens. 64 Herbal supplements or nutritional medicine, tai chi, and yoga are the most common CAMs utilized with 56% of patients reporting that CAMs were important in maintaining their health and 72% thought there was a significant improvement in their insomnia symptoms.…”