Complementary therapies in mental health care

Mental illness is a common and often complicated condition that general practitioners deal with on a daily basis. Despite its complex nature, treating mental illness can be very rewarding. The mainstay of conventional treatment is pharmaceutical medications and psychotherapy; however, some people suffer with recalcitrant disease or significant side effects from pharmacotherapy. Much can be learned from looking at alternative therapies. Some herbal treatments carry great promise, and by recognising this as a profession it allows us to open our minds to the potential benefit of some of these treatments.