141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

288645
Therapeutic mind-body practices: Yoga, breathing techniques, and meditation for treatment of stress, depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and schizophrenia

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 : 9:50 AM - 10:10 AM

Richard P. Brown, M.D. , Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY
Patricia Gerbarg, M.D. , New York Medical College, Kingston, NY
For thousands of years Yoga, breathing practices, meditation and other mind-body techniques have been used for pysical, mental and emotional development. Modern research is revealing the neurophysiological effects of mind body practices and new ways to use them in the treatment of stress, depression, anxiety, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and schizophrenia. Mind-body treatments are helpful in promoting wellness and stress resiliency, especially in mass disaster situations. Secular disciplines include therapeutic breath practices, the relaxation response, open focus, and mindfulness based stress reduction. Rapid yoga breathing can cause significant but avoidable side-effects in people with bipolar disorder, anxiety and PTSD. Dr. Gerbarg will discuss scientific studies of breath practices including her research with Dr. Brown on surivors of the Southeast Asia tsunami, the World Trade Center Attacks, the Horizon Gulf oil spill, and recently liberated Sudanese slaves. Dr. Brown will lead attendees in some of the movement and breath practices being used for psychiatric symptoms, stress resiliency, caregiver stress, mass disasters, and mental well-being.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Basic medical science applied in public health
Chronic disease management and prevention
Clinical medicine applied in public health

Learning Objectives:
compare the efficacy, drug interactions and side effects of the six promising CAM treatments described in these abstracts. discuss with the panel and with colleagues the work needed to refine the outline and to make it accessible to consumers and practitioners. describe at least two examples of misunderstandings about CAM treatments for mental health conditions and how the outline can be used to correct these misunderstandings.

Keywords: Mental Health, Stress

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: During 31 years of clinical practice and teaching, I published more than 90 scientific articles, chapters, and books: 'How to Use Herbs, Nutrients, and Yoga in Mental Health, Non-Drug Treatments for ADHD and The Healing Power of the Breath. A certified teacher of Aikido (4th Dan), yoga, Qigong, and meditation, I conduct Breath-Body-Mind workshops for healthcare professionals, yoga therapists, research, disasters survivors, military, and individuals with serious psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and schizophrenia.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.