title: Complementary and alternative medicine use by psychiatric inpatients.
abstract: 82 psychiatric inpatients hospitalized for acute care were interviewed about their use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities. The clinical diagnoses of respondents included Depressive Disorder (61%), Substance Abuse (26%), Schizophrenia (9%), and Anxiety Disorders (5%). Analysis indicated that 63% used at least one CAM modality within the previous 12 mo. The most frequently used modality was herbal therapies (44%), followed by mind-body therapies such as relaxation or mental imagery, hypnosis, meditation, biofeedback (30%), and spiritual healing by another (30%). Physical modalities such as massage, chiropractic treatment, acupuncture, and yoga were used by 21% of respondents. CAM therapies were used for a variety of reasons ranging from treatment of anxiety and depression to weight loss. However, most respondents indicated they did not discuss such use with their psychiatrist or psychotherapist.
authors.affiliation: Mind-Body Cancer Research Program, Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic, Temple 76508, USA. gelkins@swmail.sw.org
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Elkins
authors.forename: M Hasan
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Rajab
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marcus
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*