Presenter: Peter Bongiorno, ND, LAc
Format: MP4 Video file of Slides and Audio

Depressive disorders affect almost 10% of the North American adult population age 18 and older in a given year, and about 25% of adults will have a major depression episode. It is projected that depression will be the second most burdensome disease after heart disease by 2020. Antidepressant medications are the most prescribed medications despite the fact that these have been shown to be no more effective than placebo in mild to moderate depression, the type of depression for which most prescriptions are written. At no time is an integrative approach more needed to this condition. Dr. Bongiorno will offer the tenets from his recent books, five years of research and 11 years of clinical care, to discuss when pharmaceuticals are really appropriate, and when it is safe and beneficial to use natural remedies with conventional care, as well as discuss beneficial and untoward interactions between the two. He also will discuss integrated methods to help patients safely wean off of conventional medications and methods to avoid depression relapse. This lecture will briefly outline the history of the condition, discuss underlying causes (inflammation, poor nutrient status, stress, spiritual concerns, disease, etc?), identify lab tests proven useful to address underlying causes, and then specifically address how to tailor an integrative treatment plan for each individual with depression based a patient’s particular presentation. It will include an overview of research-based specific dietary, exercise, social circumstances, environmental concerns, as well as spiritual/vocational insights. A survey of well-researched and evidenced based nutrients, botanical medicines, yoga, massage, acupuncture and emotional freedom technique will also be covered.Learning Objectives:

1. Identify when conventional, natural medicine, or integrative approaches should be considered first-line.
2. Identify and provide research for the possible multiple underlying causes of depression: stress, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, digestive imbalance, environmental toxicity, social situations, and others.
3. Learn which diagnostic tests and clinical questions will help the integrative practitioner make the best treatment choices.
4. Learn which natural remedies have strong research and clinical support.
5. Learn how to use these remedies with pharmaceuticals as well as how to use natural remedies to ensure safe weaning from pharmaceutical use.