In the perinatal period, the clinical perspective has shifted from merely avoiding medication risks to a thoughtful risk-benefit analysis of treatment in pregnancy. This isn't a subtle philosophical shift — it's a complete reorientation of how we think about maternal mental health.

Experts now recognize that untreated maternal mental illness often poses a greater threat to the fetus and child than pharmacological treatment. This is one of the most important developments in reproductive psychiatry in the last two decades, and it's one that many patients — and even many clinicians — haven't fully absorbed.

How I approach ADHD: Thoughtful, thorough and integrative

What is functional medicine?

Gut, brain, hormones: Why your gastrointestinal tract plays a role in mental health

Anxiety can feel like a mental fog, a racing heart, or a sudden sense of dread that seems to come out of nowhere. And while mainstream treatment often focuses on the brain—therapy, medication, mindset—the truth is, your entire body is involved and it's often deeply rooted in your body. In functional medicine, we look beyond symptoms to uncover imbalances that may be fueling anxiety, from nutrient deficiencies to gut dysbiosis and genetic variations. Having worked in general medicine for over a decade before specializing in psychiatry, I am particularly tuned-in to how the body and brain are connected.

If you’ve tried therapy or medication without full relief—or you’re curious about a more holistic approach—this post offers a few basics in the science of anxiety from a functional lens, along with evidence-informed ways to test and support your system.