Complementary therapies such as yoga, nutritional supplements, and animal therapy can help individuals address the symptoms of certain mental health disorders and improve their quality of life.
Traditionally, doctors used a combination of medications and psychotherapy to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental health issues are common, with 21% of U.S. adults experiencing mental illness in 2020. Alternative treatments beyond standard approaches may help manage symptoms in more of these people.
For people with mental health problems, the following alternative treatments may be helpful. However, you should first check with your doctor whether these approaches are right for you.
This article looks at various alternative treatments for mental health problems and their benefits and risks.
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India and consists of a series of movements and physical poses. Because yoga focuses the mind, doctors may recommend it for people with depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Yoga is generally safe and has few risks
- Increased flexibility
- better balance
- stress reduction
- Improving quality of life
- better weight maintenance
- Improving immunity
There is a lack of high-quality research exploring the value of yoga as a treatment for mental health issues.Several
However, the benefits of yoga seem limited compared to those of breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and aerobic exercise. That said, doctors may find it a valuable complementary treatment for patients with depression.
Learn more about the health benefits of yoga here.
Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may alleviate mental health symptoms and promote heart health.
Omega-3s may help individuals with a variety of mental health issues, including:
There is scant evidence to support this use of omega-3, but the risks are minimal. Some studies have found promising evidence that omega-3 supplements can help treat depression and stabilize mood, while others have found no conclusive evidence of their value.
However, your doctor may consider using omega-3s to supplement antidepressants and other mental health medications.
Learn more about the health benefits of omega-3s.
CES uses a small electrical device to stimulate the brain with electrical currents of less than 4 milliamps, which a person cannot feel.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized CES as a Class III device that can be used to treat depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. However, experts are unsure how CES acts on the human body. One theory is that the electrical current increases serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and other neurotransmitters, which help stabilize emotions.
The CES device requires a prescription to use, but it can be used at home alongside other treatments without medical supervision.
Side effects are rare and usually mild, but pregnant people may need to avoid using the device. Also, people with bipolar disorder should use CES with caution, as it can worsen their condition.
Experts believe CES is promising but unproven. However, the device has no drug interactions and minimal side effects, making CES a reasonable option if an individual’s symptoms do not respond to other treatments.
Also called kava, kava kava or kava kava. Piper mesisticum, a plant native to the islands of the Western Pacific, and people have used it in traditional medicine for centuries. Popular in America,
This plant extract may help people with mild to moderate anxiety disorders, and using kava for anxiety may be effective in the short term. Some studies have shown that kava is better than placebo and is recommended for the treatment of anxiety. It may be a suitable alternative to antidepressants for people with mild to moderate anxiety.
Additionally, kava may also help with memory, sleep, and substance use disorders. Kava has been used in addiction rehabilitation programs in New Zealand with a 90% success rate.
However, liver toxicity and the following side effects have been reported.
Therefore, people with liver disease or taking drugs that are metabolized by the liver should seek medical advice before starting treatment with kava.
Click here to learn more about Kaba.
Professionals sometimes use dogs, horses, and other animals to help individuals with mental health problems.Several
Examples of animal therapy include equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP). This horse-based therapy aims to improve people’s emotions and behavior by teaching them how to care for and ride horses. As predators, horses are very wary and sensitive to human emotions.
Therapy sessions utilize the horse’s natural sensitivities. Participants must use the horse’s behavior as feedback to maintain self-awareness and focus on building connections based on mutual understanding.
Although rigorous scientific evidence is lacking, some small studies show that equine therapy may reduce anxiety, depression, and impulsivity.
Allergies, infectious diseases, and animal-related accidents are some of the risks of animal therapy. However, evidence suggests that using simple hygiene protocols can minimize this possibility and that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Click here to learn more about animal therapy.
This natural chemical, commonly referred to as SAMe, is present in every cell of the body and is important for more than 200 metabolic pathways.
SAMe is a prescription drug for depression in some European countries and is available without a prescription in the United States. SAMe can be used alone or in combination with other antidepressants.
It appears to be beneficial as a treatment for depression, is fast-acting, and does not cause weight gain, sexual dysfunction, or sedation like other prescription antidepressants. Additionally, older adults and people taking medications that reduce liver function tolerate SAMe better than other antidepressants. Therefore, some experts believe that it should be an alternative medicine option.
However, like other active antidepressants, SAMe can worsen anxiety and panic. Therefore, if there are signs of mania or bipolar disorder, SAMe may be inappropriate or require concurrent use of a mood stabilizer.
Learn more about natural antidepressants here.
There are also some creative therapies that people with mental health conditions may benefit from. Learn about them here.
Complementary and alternative therapies for mental health issues include yoga, electrical stimulation, and nutritional supplements such as omega-3 and kava. These approaches may increase your sense of well-being, reduce anxiety, ease symptoms of depression, and help you relax.
Doctors may recommend these therapies for people whose symptoms do not get relief with traditional medicine or psychotherapy. They may suggest people try them alongside or as an alternative to regular medications.
Although there is some evidence supporting the benefits of these treatments for mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, research is limited and often of low quality. As a result, many aspects remain unclear, and further large-scale studies will help determine the true benefits of these alternative treatments.
Before trying alternative treatments for mental health problems, you should first consult your doctor to see if it is a suitable option for you.
