Mood Issues
Stress management.
Who isn’t stressed in today’s busy world? While everyone experiences some level of stress in their day-to-day life, if your stress levels are getting out of control and you are over-reacting to the stress that you are under, then it’s time to address it before it really affects your health.
Stress is a very real physiological event associated with the release of stress chemicals, such as cortisol and adrenaline. A prolonged stress response can certainly have a negative effect on your health. Common conditions and diseases such as cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity and even infertility have all been associated with chronic stress – so now is the time to be proactive and address it!
While we may not be able to change your life circumstances, we can help to change the way your body responds to stress. At Remède, our team of practitioners including psychologists, naturopaths, acupuncturists, doctors and massage therapists can assess your level of stress and the effect that it is having on your body with specific assessments and tests. Common tests used include psychological questionnaires and Adrenal Profile Testing.
From the results of assessments and/or testing, your practitioner will devise an effective stress management treatment plan to support your body and help bring your stress hormones back into balance. Treatment may include psychological counselling/coaching, specific herbal, nutritional or homoeopathic medicines or acupuncture – depending on your needs.
Anxiety and depression
Depression and anxiety are common conditions. Three million Australian are living with depression and/or anxiety. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. In Australia, it’s estimated that 45 per cent of people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime.
Our team of practitioners can help you address your low mood and anxiety and try to identify the underlying cause. Some things that may be investigated include:
- Low nutrients levels – iodine, zinc, selenium, iron, Vitamin D, folate, B12.
- Amino acid deficiencies – lack of protein
- Genetic variations like MTHFR, COMT, detox pathways, stress pathways
- Adrenal dysfunction – cortisol (stress) and DHEAS levels
- Heavy metal toxicity like mercury and cadmium
- Chronic inflammation
- Neurotransmitter profiles
- Hormonal imbalance – low thyroid function, low testosterone, oestrogen and progesterone imbalances.
- Lack of quality sleep
- Physical pain
- Leaky gut, gut dysbiosis and gut microbiome
- Lifestyle factors like relationship issues, long hours at work, emotional stress and shocks like losing a loved one, or caring for ageing parents.
In order to be effective and see lasting change in mental health, much of the above should to be taken into account when looking at healing the body and mind.
Our practitioners aim to treat you holistically, rather than just try to balance the chemicals in your brain, as your mind’s response is not simply contained in the brain. All of your neurotransmitters and neuropeptides have receptors that literally exist in every organ and system in your body.
For example the majority of serotonin (your feel good chemical) is manufactured in your digestive system. So healthy microflora combined with optimum absorption and elimination in your gut is essential to your mental health and wellbeing. It is not a coincidence that a lot of patients who suffer from mood issues have chronic digestive and gut issues like constipation or looseness, flatulence and bloating.
Our practitioners may prescribe a combination of herbal medicines, vitamins, minerals and nutrients, along with dietary recommendations and lifestyle suggestions such as exercise and sleep hygiene to support your mood, to get you feeling happier, healthier and more resilient.
We often work with a team based approach referring to psychologist for emotional support. Psychologists are usually registered with Medicare, which means that with a medical referral, you can claim a Medicare rebate on your psychology sessions. Under the Medicare Benefits Scheme, individuals are entitled to receive up to 12 individual sessions of psychotherapy per year. You will need a referral from your GP who will write a Mental Health Care Plan.