Chapter 108

Complementary and Alternative Treatments in Psychiatry

Richard P. Brown

Richard P. Brown

Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

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Patricia L. Gerbarg

Patricia L. Gerbarg

Department of Psychiatry, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA

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Philip R. Muskin

Philip R. Muskin

Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

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First published: 16 April 2008

Summary

This chapter focuses on CAM treatments supported by scientific evidence for mechanisms of action, clinical trials demonstrating safety and efficacy, and observations of benefit from the authors' clinical experience. There is limited data in some case, but this should not deter physicians from considering these substances when appropriate. There are six sections in the chapter: (1) Mood disorders; (2) Anxiety and stress-related disorders; (3) Substance abuse; (4) Hormone-related disorders; (5) Disorders of attention, memory, and cognition; and (6) Issues of quality control, product variability, side effects, drug interactions, and legal-ethical issues.

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