Lectures
Friday, March 19
8:00-8:30am
Speaker: Jeannette Soriano MD
Title: Mental Illness- Medicine and Politics: Is Society Becoming Less Tolerant?
Summary:
In this presentation, we will review the differences in perception of mental illness (North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.) We will briefly explore the development of the DSM classification, now in its fifth review. We will also look into proposed new paradigms for treatment and research that views the whole person and might be more acceptable in the societal setting.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the role that the body politic plays in establishing and revising psychiatric diagnoses and treatments.
2. Clearer understanding of DSM — what is said in favor of and against its use.
3. Historic perspective of the treatment modalities of mental illness and its theoretical bases.
4. The proposed role the environment plays in behavioral changes.
8:30am-9:00am
Speaker: J. David Forbes MD
Title: Mental/Emotional Pain: Is It In My Head?
Summary:
What is mental pain and suffering? Is it in the “head”? This presentation will examine the notion that our suffering lies in the body and heals by engagement of the body, resulting in a calmer mind and decreased stress and suffering. We will discuss how we first begin to “flee” from the body into the head to escape emotional pain, and how reclaiming the body is essential for healing. We will also discuss the ways that we as practitioners enhance or inhibit this process in our clients, and data that supports our most important mode of communication – body-to-body, non-local.
Learning Objectives
1. How recognition of the body/mind continuum and engagement of the body itself are essential for the achievement of emotional/mental wellness.
2. How emotional pain is stored in the body, how it can be released, and what facilitates or inhibits that process.
3. Latest scientific data on body-to-body communication factors and how they facilitate improved mental/emotional health and functioning.
9:00am-10:15am
Speaker: Micheal Gurevich MD
Title: Unmedicated Mood: An Old Wine in a New Bottle
Summary:
In the last two decades. the medicating of any mood shifts has become the social norm and standard of medical care. However, the notion that medications are actually effective in this regard is based on research that has been subjected to serious question. Millions of people are on multiple medications, but are feeling unhappier than prior to taking medications and struggling with side effects. Getting patients off medications can be a minefield; understanding the principles of doing this safely makes the process much less complex.
Returning a patient to a state of health after they have been on medications for several years requires a deeper understanding of the etiological factors causing mood symptoms and their proper management, including gut disturbances, nutritional deficiencies, allergies, and inflammation or endocrine disorders. Mercury toxicity is a common factor whose significance deserves further study and one where proper diagnosis and treatment are essential. Combining all of these strategies with positive psychology, energetic, emotional, and spiritual healing is the art and science of and integrative practitioner. Restoring the body, mind and spirit to health is a very rewarding process.
Learning objectives:
1. The challenges of contemporary mood disorder medication treatment and a review of research supporting this approach.
2. Strategies for getting patients onto lower doses of medication.
3. Dealing effectively with mood instabilities by also addressing nutritional deficiencies and sensitivities, hormonal and inflammation factors, genetic influences and other causes.
11:00am-12:15pm
Speakers: Richard Brown MD and Patricia Gerbarg MD
Title: Movement and Breath: Keys to Healthy Transformation
Summary:
Speakers will first outline neurophysiological mechanisms involved in the effects of breath techniques on the stress response system. They will then present the evolution of a program of movement and breath practices based on their clinical studies of military veterans with PTSD, survivors of 2004 Southeast Asia tsunami with PTSD, and severe GAD patients. The current multi-component program, a fusion of ancient and modern movement and breath practices from several traditions, has shown promising results in relieving symptoms of PTSD in two pilot studies of first responders affected by the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks. In the final portion of the session, participants will be given an introductory experience of some of these practices which can be used for stress reduction, health enhancement, and treatment of anxiety and disorders as well as other stress-related conditions.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand how specific breath practices can be used to improve sympatho-vagal balance and symptoms associated with PTSD.
2. Explain the role of the parasympathetic nervous system in stress response and recovery from trauma.
3. Experience a combination of QiGong movement, Coherent Breathing, resistance breathing, and breath for stress reduction.
4. Develop a program of further learning about movement, breath, and meditative practices to improve outcomes for patients with anxiety disorders in clinical practice and in research studies.
1:15pm-2:25pm
Speaker: Mark Starr MD
Title: The Thyroid and Its Relationship to Mental Health
Summary: How to diagnose and treat hypothyroidism and the myriad of psychiatric symptoms that can result from hyperthyroidism.
Learning Objectives:
1. To recognize and treat hyperthyroidism.
2. Learn the relationship of internal voltage to hyperthryroidism.
3. Learn ancillary nutraceuticals to reduce the severity of problems and to enhance mental health.
4. Learn recent observations about the dental connections to thyroid and mental health.
2:25pm-3:25pm
Speaker: Phyllis Bronson PhD
Title: In Defense of Estrogen
Summary: The lecture will give original insights from the ongoing biochemical research of Phyllis Bronson into the molecular and clinical impact of hormones on the mood and emotions of women at mid-life and beyond. The goal of this work is to bring the science alive into the moods of women, and Dr. Bronson presents this with unusual insight and some finely tuned humor about women and their emotional world.
Women live in their relational world and men are more goals oriented, so this talk explores how science has demonstrated the importance of process for women, how conversation is critical for the female psyche, and how language and biochemistry impact neurotransmitter function.
There is also a fascinating aspect of neurosteroid and neurochemical integration in this work that shows how necessary the dance between hormones and neurotransmitters is in terms of their functional mechanism.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the properties of the different estrogens, their mechanisms of action, and their functional chemistry.
2. Understand the crucial distinctions between synthetic progestins and natural progesterone that were identified by the research team at The University of Denver and how these molecular chemistry differences can profoundly impact a woman’s well being.
4:10pm-5:10pm
Speaker: Sharon Oliver MD
Title: Disease and its Relationship to States of Consciousness
Summary:
All diseases have signs and symptoms that appear in the body. Much less recognized today are the signs and symptoms of disease that are reflected in the emotions, thoughts, and spiritual aspects of the patient. These phenomena were thoroughly acknowledged in ancient healing practices where patients would travel for days to the healing temples of Egypt, then fast and pray for three days before being seen by the physician-priests of the temple. In all subsequent cultures, spiritual healing has been documented to be intertwined with physical healing. Incorporating changing consciousness in everyday practice is simple and practical. As the patient learns to connect their thoughts with behaviors that lead to health, s/he can gain a more realistic balance in life.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the psycho-social “symptoms” of emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of physical diseases.
2. Review strategies for treating the non-physical components of disease.
3. Understand better how to guide the patient to maintain mental, emotional, and spiritual health, minimizing relapse.
4. Learn to screen for and recognize the “signs and symptoms” of wellness.
Saturday, March 20
8:00am-9:00am
Speaker: James Greenblatt MD
Title: Neuroactive Peptides in Food: A New Model for the Treatment and Prevention of Eating Disorders
Summary:
This presentation will discuss diagnostic distinctions and therapies involved in the treatment of eating disorders. Although anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric illness characterized by severe weight loss from self-starvation, signs or symptoms of vitamin and mineral deficiencies are rarely studied or integrated into treatment. Research from the 1980’s has suggested zinc deficiency may play a role in the development of anorexia nervosa – what are the factors that dictate the rare use of zinc therapy in the treatment of AN. To complicate matters, studies have found that individuals with AN are more likely to have multiple coexisting psychiatric disorders than the general population. Recent clinical evidence suggests that neuroactive peptides may exacerbate the course of treatment. Specifically, the peptides casomorphin and gliadorphin (from incompletely digested dairy and wheat proteins, casein and gluten respectively) have been shown to be elevated in patients with eating disorders and even OCD spectrum. A multifaceted approach, including integrative nutritional support, which addresses specific deficiencies and the presence of neuroactive peptides, might be the optimal program for the treatment of AN.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the symptoms of zinc deficiency in the general population and in patients with anorexia nervosa.
2. Determine the most effective tests for casomorphin and gliadorphin levels.
3. Understand how to alter dietary conditions and provide enzyme supplementation to reduce the levels of casomorphin and gliadorphin.
4. Learn how to integrate nutritional approaches in the comprehensive treatment of eating disorders.
9:10am-10:00am
Speaker: Alice Lee-Bloem MD
Title: Evolving Approaches in the Treatment of Mental Illness
Summary: Mental illness deprives society of the joy and contribution of millions of otherwise functional and productive people. Present treatment approaches have failed to address several of the multiple factors that have been documented to affect the ultimate outcomes. Practical principles and patterns relevant to the treatment of mental illness will be reviewed, including the prospects of “orthomolecular” nutritional approaches and even more tantalizing benefits that might be possible with “energy medicine.” An exploration of how these two fields might facilitate (and at times, frustrate) recovery will be reviewed.
Learning Objectives:
1. Review of patterns and principles found as underlying causes of mental illness.
2. Exposition of basic concepts and governing principles found in “orthomolecular” nutrition and “energy medicine.”
3. Proposal of patterns and principles governing recovery from mental illness when applying both orthomolecular nutrition and energy medicine interventions.
4. How to avoid problems that might be encountered with the integrative application of orthomolecular medicine with energy medicine.
10:45am-11:30am
Speaker: Badri Rickhi MD
Title: Spiritual Wellness: An Integral Element of Mental Health
Summary: Research documents that spirituality can offset mental health problems and assist in their recovery. However, the reasoning behind this link remains complex and little understood. This presentation explores the integration of these two aspects of wellness and provides suggestions on how to foster mental health through nurturing spiritual wellness.
Learning Objectives:
1. To understand the concept of spiritual wellness.
2. To understand the link between spiritual and mental wellness.
3. To learn life-style approaches to nurture spiritual wellness.
4. To learn specific techniques to nurture spiritual wellness.
11:30am-12:15pm
Speaker: Tobi Fishel PhD
Title: The Obesity Challenge to Survival
Learning Objectives:
1. Audience will review the latest statistics on obesity in the US.
2. Audience will learn basic neuroscience physiology of mindful meditation in general.
3. Audience will learn about research perspectives and practice of mindful eating, and its connection to the mind/body/spirit.
4. Audience will learn five basic tips for mindful eating that can easily be taught to patients.
1:15pm-2:45pm
Speaker: Tieraona Low Dog MD
Title: Nutritional Deficiency Impact on Depression and Anxiety
Summary:
Mood disorders, particularly depression, have a high rate of co-morbidity with both mental health and medical problems. Depressive disorders are common among patients with chronic medical conditions; even when appropriately treated, depression recurs in 50-70% of those affected. Given the side effects of conventional antidepressants, many patients turn to the use of dietary supplements in an attempt to improve their mood and prevent recurrence. Unfortunately, many patients do not disclose their supplement use to their provider, and most clinicians are not familiar enough with the evidence of safety and benefit of supplements to effectively counsel patients about their use. This session will update clinicians on the science regarding dietary supplements/botanicals commonly used for depression and anxiety.
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to discuss the evidence for safety and benefit of dietary supplements in the clinical setting of depression.
2. Participants will be able to discuss the evidence for safety and benefit of dietary supplements in the clinical setting of anxiety.
3. Participants will be able to describe the evidence for safety and benefit for herbal medicines commonly resorted to by patients in their search for non-drug approaches to better mental health.
3:30pm-4:30pm
Speaker: Carol Ann Ryser MD
Title: The Infectious Disease Factor
Summary:
Mental illness is affected by various physical problems, especially underlying, low grade infections. If such infections are identified and treated, the treatment of mental illness will be significantly enhanced.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn how infections depress immunity.
2. Appreciate how the immune system affects mental illness.
3. Learn how treatment of underlying infections can improve symptoms of mental illness.
4. Learn which underlying infections most commonly affect mental illness and how to screen for them.
4:30pm-5:30pm
Speaker: Hal Blatman MD
Title: Insomnia and Pain
Summary:
Hal Blatman is the medical director of the Blatman Pain Clinic, a holistic treatment center for rehabilitation and healing from pain. Insomnia and Pain relate in many ways. Sleep-deprived people develop symptoms that mimic fibromyalgia syndrome, and their bodies miss an opportunity to restore during the night. This talk will focus on the interaction of stress with pain and insomnia. The degree to which stress causes pain is underestimated. Options for treatment will be addressed that include nutrition, herbs, minerals, and vitamins.
Learning Objectives:
1. Appreciate and identify pain caused by stress.
2. Appreciate and identify insomnia caused by stress.
3. Identify and use nutritional supplements and pharmaceuticals for insomnia.
4. Identify and use nutritional supplements and pharmaceuticals for stress and pain.
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