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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression

Published on: January 7, 2019

Using complementary and alternative medicines for depression.

Maurizio Fava¹

¹Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA.

The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry

|October 7, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Patients with psychiatric disorders increasingly use complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). Clinicians need to be informed about CAMs like omega-3 fatty acids and St. John's wort for accurate patient guidance.

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Area of Science:

Integrative psychiatry
Nutritional psychiatry
Evidence-based complementary medicine

Background:

Growing prevalence of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) use in psychiatric care.
Necessity for clinicians to possess knowledge of CAM therapies for informed patient consultation.
Review of specific CAMs: omega-3 fatty acids, folate, SAM-e, and St. John's wort.

Discussion:

CAMs are frequently utilized by individuals with mental health conditions.
Healthcare providers require updated information on CAM efficacy and safety.
Clinical decision-making regarding CAM integration in psychiatric treatment plans.

Key Insights:

Omega-3 fatty acids, folate, SAM-e, and St. John's wort are commonly considered CAMs in psychiatry.
Understanding patient CAM usage is crucial for comprehensive mental healthcare.
Clinicians play a vital role in guiding patients on appropriate CAM use.

Outlook:

Further research into the efficacy and safety of specific CAMs in psychiatric populations.
Development of clinical guidelines for integrating evidence-based CAMs into standard psychiatric practice.
Enhanced patient-provider communication regarding the use of complementary therapies for mental well-being.