HEALTH + WELLNESS
gastrointestinal infections, and was
also show recently in a small study
to successfully treat severe depression
and anxiety. The success of FMT in
the treatment of depression further
supports the microbiome’s role in
mental health.
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis
Dysfunction
The HPA axis is the body’s central
stress response system. Stress has
long been a contributing factor to
depression and anxiety. Long-
standing elevations of cortisol, the
stress hormone produced from the
adrenal gland, have been linked to
an increased incidence of chronic
depression and anxiety. Mindful
meditation, yoga, tai chi, and biofeed-
back therapies have been successful
in reducing anxiety and depression.
As ongoing research uncovers the
non-psychiatric contributors to
depression and anxiety, it is prudent
for patients to question starting
medication before a more thorough
workup is conducted. We now under-
stand anti-anxiety and antidepressant
medication may have more long-term
effects for patients, and various causes
of psychiatric disease should be con-
sidered before committing patients
to a lifetime of use. n
FALL 2019
75