The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is created by Rupa Health, the best way to order, track & manage results from 30+ lab companies in one place for free. The Root Cause Medicine Podcast is a weekly one-on-one conversation with renowned medical experts, specialists, and pioneers who are influencing the way we look at our health and wellbeing. This week we’re joined by Dr. Kate Henry, Director of Functional Medicine at Sanare Today, and Dr. Rachael Bevilacqua, Vice President at Sanare Today. In this episode, Dr. Henry and Dr. Rachael discuss mental health and share an integrative approach to treating depression, anxiety, chronic panic, and more. Dr. Kate Henry is a naturopathic doctor with advanced training in mind-body medicine and functional approaches to mental health. Her study of nutrition, botanicals, and lifestyle medicine has enabled her to offer unique expertise and out-of-the-box solutions for chronic and stubborn health issues, including SIBO, PCOS, depression, anxiety, POTS, and more. As Vice President of Sanare Today, Dr. Rachael is responsible for managing all clinical operations. Her duties encompass program development, recruitment of new personnel, expansion of locations, supervising the outreach department, and overseeing backend operations related to clinical product implementation. Additionally, she is currently serving as an IOP therapist for Sanare Today's Exton location, leading morning group sessions for the adult mental health track. Key Takeaways: Overcoming the stigma around mental health When it comes to mental health, people often don't seek help until there is an issue, like they can't go to work anymore, they stop going to school, or they start isolating themselves from others. However, when confronting these types of problems, people realize they can make a revolutionary shift in just a few weeks. The goal is to empower people with tools so they can do it on their own with occasional check-ins for maintenance. What is an integrative approach to mental health? Functional or root cause medicine revolves around a practitioner's efforts to determine the underlying cause of the symptom that a patient is experiencing. In contrast, integrative medicine takes a collaborative approach that involves multiple specialists treating the whole person. These specialists may include a therapist, psychiatrist, nutritionist, and natural medicine doctor. In terms of mental health, it's crucial to view it from a holistic perspective and leverage one another's expertise to gain a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's mental health. Through this collaborative approach, practitioners can work together to address the root cause of the problem and provide more effective, personalized care to the patient. An integrative approach to anxiety and panic disorders The integrative approach to anxiety and panic disorders starts with a two-pronged assessment that involves learning about the patient’s background. The assessment process includes gathering information about their nutrition, sleep patterns, medications, and social interactions and is conducted on a one-to-one basis with a therapist within seventy-two hours of contact. During this phase, the patient undergoes a multi-data point nutrient analysis that identifies the levels of essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, E, B6, selenium, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, alongside inositol, which can be an effective treatment for panic disorder. An integrative approach to depression The root causes of depression can vary from anemia to dehydration. For irritable depression, you might require serotonin support; for anhedonic depression, dopamine support; and for depression linked with trauma or PTSD, GABA support. Therapies such as acupuncture and homeopathy can also be effective in treating depression. The end goal is to help people function and thrive on their own by taking a natural approach to treating anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. Also, check out Sam’s recommended lab testing: Multi-data point nutrient analysis, Blood testing Order tests through Rupa Health - https://www.rupahealth.com/reference-guide