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According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), over one in five adults in the U.S. has a mental illness (23.1% of the adult population in 2022). From mood disorders, including manic or major depressive episodes, to anxiety disorders (ADs) like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), these are among the common mental health disorders many Americans live with.

Psychotherapy and medications are the traditional treatments available for mental illnesses. However, as more people become aware of their limitations, some have begun to gear toward a more holistic approach to mental health.

In this post, we’ll uncover what holistic therapy looks like in real life. Keep reading to learn how it differs from traditional approaches and its potential benefits.

Addressing the Whole Person

Traditional treatment focuses on addressing a mental illness’s specific symptoms. A holistic approach to mental health problems, on the other hand, focuses on mind-body wellness and connection. Holistic treatments recognize a person as a whole and believe that to achieve optimal well-being, treatment plans should account for the person’s:

• Emotional health
• Physical fitness
• Social well-being
• Spiritual wellness

By including all of the above aspects in their approaches, holistic practitioners aim to help their patients not just find relief from symptoms but also to obtain overall balance and health in the long run.

Identifying Root or Underlying Causes of Mental Health Concerns

Easing symptoms is one of the goals of holistic therapy, so practitioners also explore the underlying or root cause of an individual’s mental health illness. They may delve into things like:

• Past trauma
• Systemic issues
• Existing and ongoing stressors

Suppose someone has an anxiety disorder, the most common mental health problem in the U.S., affecting over 40 million American adults, per the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). In this scenario, a holistic practitioner may explore the person’s childhood experiences or existing relationship dynamics. Their goal is to discover whether such factors are causing or contributing to the individual’s AD.

Developing a Tailored Treatment Plan

Holistic practitioners recognize that there’s no single or one-size-fits-all approach to achieving overall well-being. Instead, they acknowledge each individual’s uniqueness and incorporate this into their personalized holistic health services.

One example of a tailored, holistic approach in a real-life setting is the application of integrative mental health care. It’s a rapidly emerging paradigm that involves various strategies, including:

• Psychotherapy
• Prescription medications
• Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies

A holistic practitioner may incorporate integrative mental health care into the overall treatment of an individual with a mental health illness like anxiety.

What Are CAM Therapies?

CAM therapies are healthcare practices and strategies outside of conventional medicine. Practitioners can use them alongside (complementary) or in place of standard medical treatments (alternative).

There are several classifications of CAM therapies, often based on their delivery or how a person takes them:

• Nutritional CAM: Includes specialized diets, herbs, microbial-based therapies, and dietary supplements
• Psychological CAM: Such as meditation, yoga, relaxation therapies, music therapies, and hypnosis
• Physical CAM: Like acupuncture, spinal manipulation (chiropractic), and massage therapies

CAM can also be a combination of practices. Examples include practices that combine psychological and physical approaches (e.g., tai-chi, yoga, dance therapies, and some art therapies). It can also be a mix of psychological and nutritional strategies (such as mindful eating).

Is CAM Effective?

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says that several studies have shown or suggest the following CAM-based approaches as helpful for anxiety. However, it also notes that more research is necessary to determine their effectiveness.

• Mental wellness practices like yoga and mindfulness-based approaches
• Hypnosis
• Acupuncture
• Tai chi
• Qigong
• Listening to music

The above CAM therapies may help with anxiety, such as by reducing its symptoms or assisting individuals in coping with it.

Prioritizing Proactive Prevention

A holistic approach to mental health emphasizes empowerment and self-care. Holistic practitioners believe that these proactive approaches can help promote overall well-being and aid people through their healing and recovery.

Here are some examples of proactive prevention and natural mental health strategies.

Becoming More Resilient

Resilience is one’s ability to adapt to adversity, challenges, and setbacks and recover quickly from them. Resilient people understand that they can’t always avoid difficult situations and negative experiences. By acknowledging this, they can develop and hone their mental and emotional strength, helping them cope with and bounce back from problems.

Being more resilient can help improve overall well-being, something that people may achieve through a healthy lifestyle and maintaining positive connections. Learning new skills and participating in activities and events that challenge and stimulate the mind can also help.

Leading a Healthier Lifestyle

Holistic practitioners recommend healthier lifestyle habits as part of their approaches. Some of these include:

• Getting enough quality sleep (seven to nine hours for adults)
• Staying physically active, such as through regular exercise
• Focusing on a well-balanced diet

The above are natural ways that can help enhance physical, emotional, cognitive, and even social health and well-being.

Building New and Maintaining Existing Positive Social Connections

Social isolation is a public health threat. It also often co-occurs with loneliness.

The U.S. CDC says that many people in the U.S. experience both problems: one in four adults has no social and emotional support. A third also report feeling lonely. Unaddressed, these conditions can make people more at risk for the following conditions:

• Physical: Heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes
• Mental: Depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidality
• Cognitive: Dementia

A holistic approach to mental health emphasizes the connection between social relationships, support systems, and overall health. Practitioners account for an individual’s social life and connections when developing personalized treatments. They may recommend staying in touch with family, friends, and loved ones, joining hobby clubs, and participating in social events.

Consider a Holistic Approach to Mental Health

A holistic approach to mental health can help with a person’s overall well-being, given that it considers all integral aspects of their life, rather than just an illness and its symptoms. By incorporating natural, complementary, and alternative therapies, individuals may see improvements in their overall quality of life and well-being.

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