Inflamed Mood, Depleted Mind. A scientific and integrated approach to mental health, Adelaide

Mood disorders significantly reduce an individual’s quality of life, and may result in potentially devastating consequences. These conditions are incredibly common, yet effective medical treatment still eludes us. Over the last decade research has revealed these ailments as true physiological and biochemical illnesses. Thus, correction of these internal imbalances through better lifestyle, diet and supplementation are emerging as equally important as counselling.

We now understand that growth factors (e.g. brain derived neurotrophic factor) exist in areas of the brain such as the hippocampus, and these promote neuronal cell survival and neurogenesis. Studies demonstrate a significant reduction of BDNF and hippocampal size in patients with major depressive disorder. Increasing these growth factors can lead to improved symptoms.

Join us to gain a thorough understanding of the stressors that contribute to anxiety and depressive disorders. You will learn how to accurately identify the presence of specific aetiologies in order to design the most effective treatment protocols for your patients.

Subjects covered
    •    The role of inflammation in mood disorders
    •    Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its involvement in mental health
    •    Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their contribution to anxiety and depression
    •    The gut-microbiome-brain axis, and how “psychoactive bacteria” influence neurotransmitter synthesis and function
    •    Nutritional deficiencies linked to declinations in mental health
    •    The role of intestinal hyper-permeability and fructose malabsorption in mood disorders
    •    How environmental toxins contribute to depressive symptoms
    •    The unique role of sleep
    •    Safe and effective strategies for improving patient response to pharmaceutical anti-depressant therapy
    •    A guide to understanding pathology tests that assist in identifying specific treatment targets
    •    Clinical guidelines for managing anxiety and depression