Chinese Medicine Diet and Nutrition

Lately I’ve heard much discussion about something called SSRI withdrawal, meaning symptoms that can occur when an individual stops taking certain prescription drugs for anxiety, depression, and a wide range of related disorders. This “antidepressant discontinuation syndrome” can result in insomnia, flu-like symptoms, and increased anxiety, regardless of the efficacy of the drugs while a person was taking them.
In my experience with wellness clients, one aspect of the mental health crisis—especially among young people—is an adamant sense of identity with junk foods. With no substantial intention to change, patients may feel no choice but to medicate, regardless of decades of the best research casting doubt on the SSRI hypothesis, or the causative influence of highly processed food on depression and anxiety. This is a self-sabotage conundrum. We are face to face with a hard truth in modern times: if an individual is suffering with depression or anxiety and has not significantly replaced highly processed foods with real cooking, they have not yet seriously acted to change their condition.

“We don’t need special appliances, trendy knives, or refrigerators that send shopping lists to our phones. What’s important is to return the preparing of our own food to its sacrosanct position. Treat making a meal like a visit to a medical office when a child is sick: full attention, deep gratitude, love in all directions..”

“Cooking is not only about what’s good to eat, it’s about what will truly support how we are and what we need. And that is the most delicious and satisfying food there can be.” When our two kids were new, Ann and I worked mostly from home. Patients would stream through, and of course I