“Mood and Anxiety Disorders Clinical Strategies and Treatment Applications”
Video: My new course – Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Watch More Mood and Anxiety Disorders Videos Below
Healthcare is failing tens of millions of patients with mood disorders.
Alternative medicine is failing them with overly simplified approaches.
The Kharrazian Institute Mood and Anxiety Disorders course covers the neurology, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, and neurobiology of mood disorders.
Depression isn’t simply a neurotransmitter issue.
Instead, depression and mood disorders are a dynamic response to various mechanisms that impact the limbic lobe, frontal lobe, and other areas of brain function, including:
- Cerebral blood flow
- Neurochemical activity
- Receptor site responses
- Genetic expressions
- Genetic susceptibility
- Metabolic and immune imbalances, and more.
These individual mechanisms play key roles in major depressive disorder, minor depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, seasonal affective disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and more.
We will cover the mechanisms of each of these pathways and then go into the web of mood disorders and the underlying mechanisms that most practitioners overlook.
Once we cover the inter-relational pathophysiology, neurophysiology, and web of mood disorders, we then translate that into a step-by-step clinical evaluation.
How do you develop a personalized treatment plan?
This makes the material tangible and not just a theoretical model.
For instance:
- How do you use questionnaire forms?
- How do you find the individual variables?
- How do you perform an exam?
- What kind of labs do you run?
- What are the key things you look for in their medical history?
We discuss the published research on the nutraceutical, diet, and lifestyle applications that impact mood disorders. We then go through actual patient case studies. I will show you how do you work a patient up from the minute they walk in.
Did you know that major depressive disorder and chronic depression may be early signs of neurodegeneration?
Many people and even doctors believe depression is caused by an imbalance in the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, or epinephrine — and they do play a role in some basic types of depression.
But when someone suffers from chronic depression for many years, continues to worsen, and doesn’t respond to medication or nutraceutical protocols, they may suffer from a neurodegenerative disease.
In these cases, the clinical approach is to slow down the neurodegenerative processes and increase the brain’s overall efficiency.
Giving patients with major depressive disorder nutraceuticals or an antidepressant to change mood — and then changing the supplement or the drug when the patient doesn’t respond — is a failing model.
Major depressive disorder is a red flag that someone has an unhealthy brain and that their brain is starting to degenerate.
Sometimes it happens in response to a past traumatic brain injury. Sometimes it’s an early symptom of Parkinsonism, early onset Parkinson’s disease, early Alzheimer’s disease, frontal temporal dementia, or other neurodegenerative disorders.
One of the areas we’ll cover in the Kharrazian Institute Mood and Anxiety Disorders course is how to differentiate neurodegeneration and other clinical mechanisms when you see a patient suffering from chronic major depressive disorder.
Anxiety disorders are often secondary to balance issues
Did you know that anxiety disorders can be secondary to balance issues? Related symptoms include vertigo, dizziness, being prone to motion sickness, difficulty being in crowds, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Anxiety results from increased activation of the brain’s limbic centers, which govern such things as fear, anger, emotion, motivation, and memory.
When too much catecholamine, epinephrine, or norepinephrine activate these pathways, or when there is not enough GABAergic activity inhibiting them, anxiety arises.
Many people experience anxiety stemming from the vestibular-cerebellum system, the area of the brain involved with stability. People with vestibular cerebellar disorders have occasional dizziness and worsened balance.
They may tell you they have to hold the handrails walking downstairs and that they trip and fall regularly.
Poor balance activates neurological pathways directly into the limbic system.
Poor balance activates neurological pathways directly into the limbic system.When your body feels like it’s falling, the vestibular system sends input to the autonomic centers to increase your heart rate, dilate your pupils, and prepare you for a fall.
Gluten ataxia promotes anxiety through the vestibular-cerebellar system
Gluten ataxia is a condition in which gluten antibodies cross-react with the cerebellum, promoting poor balance. It is commonly seen in those with celiac disease. People with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism or past brain injuries may also develop autoimmune cross-reactivity in the cerebellum.
It’s common for these individuals to develop chronic anxiety. They’ll experience heightened anxiety in crowded places or while watching a movie with quick screen changes.
A leading cause of mood disorders is…
…shifts in blood sugar balance.
Blood sugar imbalances cause a rollercoaster ride of neurochemical responses throughout the day.
When a person becomes shaky, lightheaded, and “hangry” between meals…
…or if they get really tired and need a nap after eating…
…these are signs of a blood sugar rollercoaster ride that releases different hormones impacting the brain.
When someone’s blood sugar levels drop, they are experiencing a rise in the stress hormones epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol.
On the other hand, insulin surges causing tiredness after meals impacts insulin receptor signaling and catecholamine activity in the brain.
Both of these scenarios can dramatically impact mood, motivation, drive, anxiety, and irritability.
When you see a patient with a mood disorder, you have to look at what is disrupting the mood signaling system, which is based on the integration of hormones, neurotransmitters, and neurological pathways. Even immune-related compounds are involved.
Blood sugar imbalances are one of the many variables we cover that can impact mood.
End-stream neurochemical pathways impact depression and mood disorders
End-stream neurochemical pathways that impact depression and mood disorders involve serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and acetylcholine. Each of these neurochemical pathways has their own expressions within depression:
Dopamine: Can’t motivate, finish tasks, or start tasks; have a hard time with initiation and follow-through.
Serotonin: Can’t experience joy; no longer care about their favorite songs, movies, foods, or social get-togethers.
Epinephrine and norepinephrine: Lack alertness, focus, and drive, and can’t sustain their attention.
GABA: Can’t calm down their brain and have an ongoing restless mind and anxiety.
You need to look for the different features of the depression. These features provide clues to the neurochemical pathways involved.
Then can you work backwards to what caused the breakdown. For example, if it’s related to dopamine activity, explore the nucleus accumbens, dopamine production, MAO clearance of dopamine, and dopamine agonists, such as androgens in males or estrogen in females.
An overly simplified model of giving someone a neurotransmitter supplement doesn’t adequately address these pathways.
Disruptions to the microbiome can impact mood
An explosion of research shows our gut bacteria can impact mood. In animal models they have induced anxiety disorders by sterilizing the gut.
Many types of gut bacteria modulate the synthesis, activation, and clearance of neurotransmitters. The gut microbiome releases hormones, neuropeptides, and neurotransmitters that directly impact the brain via the vagus nerve or by crossing the blood-brain barrier.
Conditions such as intestinal permeability, or leaky gut can cause major depressive disorder, and research shows treating leaky gut with diet and nutrition causes major changes in non-responsive major depressive disorders.
A single drug or nutrient doesn’t work well for depression and mood disorders.
You have to treat the entire web.
The most popular treatment model for depression in both conventional and alternative medicine is a single drug or nutraceutical.
Even if these approaches work, they typically lose their effectiveness because the neurochemical pathways adapt and stop responding.
Effective treatment depends on addressing the web of physiological mechanisms that underlie mood disorders.
You have to evaluate things such as:
- The microbiome
- The blood sugar systems
- Prostaglandin signaling
- Hormone levels
- Brain function
- Signs of neurodegeneration
- Brain oxygenation
These variables impact how our brain functions and its ability to maintain a healthy mood and not be susceptible to trivial things that cause anxiety.
We go over these concepts in the Kharrazian Institute Mood and Anxiety Disorders course to help you break out of the single-drug or single-nutrient model of treating depression and mood disorders.
Dr. Kharrazian is a leading expert in diagnosing and treating chronic conditions
Datis Kharrazian, PhD, DHSc, DC, MS, MMSc, FACN, is a Harvard Medical School trained researcher, clinical research scientist, academic professor, and a functional medicine health care provider. Dr. Kharrazian earned a Master of Medical Science degree (MMSc) in Clinical Investigation from Harvard Medical School, and is a member of the Harvard Medical Alumni Association and the American Association of Immunologists.
Today, Dr. Kharrazian’s clinical models of functional medicine are used by several academic institutions, and thousands of health care clinics and practices providers throughout the world.
He maintains a private practice near San Diego, California, and consults with patients from all over the world who are seeking non-pharmaceutical alternatives. His practice is focused on developing a personalized medical approach using diet, nutrition, and lifestyle approaches.
After decades of analyzing thousands of studies and working with patients in the United States and Europe, Dr. Kharrazian developed never-taught-before clinical strategies to successfully manage mood and anxiety disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do any materials come with this course?
You receive access to all the recorded live videos, presentation slides, published papers, Q&A’s, assessment forms, supplement information, protocols, and all other supporting material for one year after the livestream. This means you can rewatch the recorded lectures as many times as you’d like during this period.
Do I receive continuing education credits for this class?
12 hours of CEs are available for licensed health care practitioners. Please see the bottom of this page for more particulars.
What if I can’t digest all the information at once?
First, you are given pre-class reading material to begin familiarizing yourself with the material. Then, you have access to the recorded lectures and supporting materials for up to three years (depending on when you purchase). This means you can rewatch lectures as many times as you need.
What if I have questions after the class?
When you register you are invited to join a Members Only Kharrazian Institute Facebook group where you can ask questions and discuss cases with other practitioners.
How can patients in my area learn about me and the fact that I have taken this class?
We have created an online practitioner referral page. Licensed practitioners who have completed all of the Kharrazian Institute courses will be added to the list. Patients can search the list to look for practitioners in their area.
What if parts of the class are unfamiliar to me?
All of the Kharrazian Institute classes are designed to complement one another. As you take all the courses over time you will receive an extraordinarily comprehensive functional medicine education. Different pieces of human physiology, neurology, immunology, and endocrinology all fit together like pieces of a puzzle for one comprehensive understanding of patient evaluation and care.
MARK HYMAN, MD
Dr. Kharrazian has been a prominent educator and highly-respected clinician in the functional medicine community since the inception of functional medicine. He is an expert clinician and an innovator in this field.
CLEVELAND CLINIC, DIRECTOR OF CENTER FOR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
CHAIRMAN, INSTITUTE FOR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
TEN-TIME NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING AUTHOR
JEFFREY BLAND, PHD, FACN, FACB
I have had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Kharrazian for more than a decade and observing his professional growth and impact as a key opinion leader in the field of Functional Neurology. He is voracious in his pursuit of learning and skill development. His pursuit of post-graduate studies at Harvard in research methods has embellished his already significant expertise in systems medicine and its application to Functional Medicine. He has a unique skill in making complex information accessible to his students and patients alike, which is a measure of an individual who is a master of his field. Dr. Kharrazian is a humble, quietly competent leader who leads by example and his presence. The Functional Medicine field is rapidly evolving, and it is through the work and leadership of a select group of professionals, of which Dr. Kharrazian is a recognized leader, that it is growing in both its adoption and successful application to the treatment of complex chronic diseases. It is truly a pleasure to call Dr. Kharrazian both a colleague and friend in our mutual advocacy in the development and application of Functional Medicine.
CO-FOUNDER, INSTITUTE OF FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
PRESIDENT, PERSONALIZED LIFESTYLE MEDICINE INSTITUTE
Why is Dr. Kharrazian’s Mood and Anxiety course different?
Dr. Kharrazian is an actual clinician who has been successfully treating mood and anxiety disorders in the United States and Europe for more than 20 years.
Dr. Kharrazian has witnessed countless real-life patient scenarios and developed proven strategies to address commonly overlooked issues.
Dr. Kharrazian is both a scientist and an educator.
Dr. Kharrazian has been an innovator in the field of functional medicine since its inception.
Dr. Kharrazian stays continually up-to-date with the latest scientific and medical research.
Dr. Kharrazian was trained as a clinical investigator (Master of Medical Science in Clinical Investigation) at Harvard Medical School and can effectively share with you the most relevant research.
Dr. Kharrazian has published a number of immunology studies in the most respected medical journals in the world.
DAVE PERLMUTTER, MD, FACN, ABIHM
Dr. Kharrazian’s work represents the vanguard in our understanding of the role of lifestyle choices in charting the brain’s destiny. His highly effective educational outreach has opened the door for countless healthcare providers, allowing them to dramatically increase their effectiveness in treating and indeed preventing so many of the pernicious conditions that plague our modern society.
AUTHOR, #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING BOOK,
GRAIN BRAIN AND BRAIN MAKER
KELLY BROGAN, MD, ABIHM
Dr. Datis Kharrazian is one of the most powerful clinicians of our time. From the lab to the clinic, he has studied, vetted, and applied his cutting-edge science to heal patients all over the world. I consider him to be a foremost authority in a systems approach to recovery and wellness.
AUTHOR, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING BOOK, A MIND OF YOUR OWN
TERRY WAHLS, MD, IFMCP
Dr. Kharrazian is a brilliant clinician educator who has inspired many, myself included. He is superb at teaching clinicians the power of using functional medicine-oriented history and physical examination to understand and address the root causes of disease and health. Integrating the latest research and years of clinical experience, Dr. Kharrazian, is an international leader in Functional Medicine.
NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING AUTHOR OF THE WAHLS PROTOCOL – HOW I BEAT
PROGRESSIVE MS USING PALEO PRINCIPLES AND FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
CLINICAL PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, CARVER COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
On Demand Registration
Mood and Anxiety Disorders Clinical Strategies and Treatment Applications
Welcome to ON DEMAND registration for KI Course Eleven – Mood and Anxiety Disorders. After registration, you will have one-year access to all videos and course materials from the date of your registration. IMPORTANT: You should take all exams in a timely manner in order to get the appropriate credit (if available) from NUHS, or to receive the KI Certificate of Completion.
Current status for CE credits via ON Demand video replays for state licenses is located HERE.
For Nutritionists: see CE Credits HERE.
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ON DEMAND Registration
Mood and Anxiety Disorders Course
These checkout buttons (in one single payment) reserve ON DEMAND access to Course Eleven on the KI Learning website for all course materials, videos, testing, and transcripts. After registration, you will have a one-year access to all materials from the date of your registration. If you have questions, please email us HERE.
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU HAVE AN ACTIVE KI SUBSCRIPTION, YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE AS YOU WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE LIVESTREAM AND ON DEMAND REPLAYS AFTER THE LIVESTREAM AS LONG AS YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS ACTIVE.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: After registration, you will receive an email titled Important Login Info: Kharrazian Institute… which contains your login credentials for immediate access to all course materials and videos. After watching all videos and successfully completing the online examinations for each course, you will receive a “KI Certificate of Completion”. Otherwise, you are incomplete for the course.
These checkout buttons below are for 2 monthly payments (1st payment at checkout; 2nd payment is 30 days after checkout) reserve ON DEMAND access to Course Eleven on the KI Learning website for all course materials, videos, testing, and transcripts. Please note: Coupon codes and PayPal are not available with this payment option. Remaining information is the same as above.
IMPORTANT NOTE: After registration, you will receive an email titled Important Login Info: Kharrazian Institute… which contains your login credentials for immediate access to all course materials and videos. After watching all videos and successfully completing the online examinations for each course, you will receive a “KI Certificate of Completion”. Otherwise, you are incomplete for the course.
CE Credits and KI Certificate of Completion
Please complete the KI course before you order the CE Credits from National University. You are NOT complete for the course unless you pass both primary exams AND watch the livestream or all videos for both days AND after you have received the KI Certificate of Completion. Attendance via onsite live (when available) does not require exams.
When requesting an attendance verification from NUHS, registrants will need to list the title of the course(s) for which they’d like an attendance verification and through whom they took the course(s): Kharrazian Institute.
Testimonials about the Kharrazian Institute courses
More testimonials
PEDRAM SHOJAI, OMD
Dr. Kharrazian is one of the greatest minds in the functional medicine space. He’s a trailblazer and an innovator. His courses are gold and his direction is wise. If you’re in healthcare and are ready to be on the right side of history, study with this man.
AUTHOR, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING BOOK, THE URBAN MONK
FOUNDER OF WELL.ORG
DAVID MUSNICK, MD
Dr. Kharrazian is one of the most skilled Functional medicine practitioners in the country. His understanding of interrelationships in physiology puts him in the top tier of Functional Medicine writers and educators in this country.
FACULTY OF THE INSTITUTE FOR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
NORA GEDGAUDAS, CNS, NTP, BCHN
Datis Kharrazian is truly among the great medical geniuses of our time. His capacity to think outside the box is second to none. He brings cutting-edge insights to the table that others have missed along the way and for this we should be eternally grateful.
AUTHOR, PRIMAL BODY, PRIMAL MIND AND PRIMAL FAT BURNER
ELIZABETH BOHAM, MD, RD
Dr. Kharrazian is a leader in functional medicine, always looking to discover the root cause of illness or dysfunction in the body and, most importantly, uncovering novel therapies to improve optimal function.
MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE ULTRAWELLNESS CENTER
MARK FLANNERY, DC, MS, BS
Dr. Kharrazian’s education gave me the knowledge and confidence to take on complicated chronic cases. I would not have the patient success I have without the information I gained from Dr. Kharrazian. I have taken many seminars by many different doctors but I could not do what I do without the knowledge I gained from Dr. Kharrazian.
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH WISE CLINICAL NUTRITION
JOSHUA REDD, DC, MS
Dr. Kharrazian’s education has been pivotal in every aspect of my practice. His curriculum has been my foundation for building seven thriving functional medicine clinics. I couldn’t ask for a more rewarding career path.
FOUNDER OF RED RIVER HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER
AUTHOR, THE TRUTH ABOUT LOW THYROID
SHANE STEADMAN, DC, DACNB, DCBCN, CNS
In the last decade, I have seen Dr. Kharrazian change the landscape of healthcare. His ability to integrate functional medicine, immunology, and neurology is second to none. Individuals like Dr. Kharrazian come around once in a lifetime. I could not be more honored to learn from him and consider him to be a wonderful mentor. I sincerely believe the Kharrazian Institute will continue to evolve health care.
DIRECTOR, INTEGRATED HEALTH SYSTEMS AND INTEGRATED BRAIN CENTERS
