Ep. 188: Dr. Erika Kappes on Living Optimally
Description:
Dr. Erika Kappes, who specializes in Integrative Psychiatry, joins Doro and Tricia to discuss how to live your best life by wisely choosing what you eat, making lifestyle and behavioral changes, and exercising. By focusing on these components, one can often minimize (or even eliminate) medications. She also talks about the importance of hydration and “ignoring your narrator”. Tune in to this insightful episode!
More on Dr. Erika Kappes:
Website: www.district-wellness.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/district-psychiatry-and-wellness
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Learn more about BB&R and Achieving Optimal Health Conference by visiting BBRconsulting.us
Quotes:
A lot of people don't see the connection between behaviors in everyday and mental health, and they don't see how the food we eat can impact mental health. Dr. Erika Kappes
The gut is the second brain.What we put into our gut, 20% of it gets taken by the brain. Neurotransmitters are built on nutrients, and these things all affect the way chemicals are built in the brain. Dr. Erika Kappes
Listen to the body. Give it what it needs. It can do amazing things just from a longevity perspective. Dr. Erika Kappes
Show Notes:
Dr. Erika Kappes: I have been into nutrition my whole life.
Dr. Erika Kappes: I went to medical school at an osteopathic medical school.
Dr. Erika Kappes: I fell in love with psychiatry, and I went to Walter Reed for my adult psychiatry residency. And then from there I was commissioned as an Army officer.
Dr. Erika Kappes: Integrative psychiatry, is really a mix of conventional medicine mixed with complementary therapies as well as lifestyle improvements.
Dr. Erika Kappes: A lot of people don't see the connection between behaviors and everyday and mental health and or they don't see how the food we eat can impact mental health.
Dr. Erika Kappes: We will sometimes start medications initially. But I would say for a lot of my folks, we we start with lifestyle changes.
Dr. Erika Kappes: I really dig into people's diet and what they're eating and how we can make small improvements to help them feel, feel more vital.
Dr. Erika Kappes: The chemical impact that alcohol has on the brain can really worsen, you know, anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms long term.
Dr. Erika Kappes: A lot of people will have anxiety with secondary depression symptoms, or depression with secondary anxiety symptoms.
Dr. Erika Kappes: Exercise should be seen as a medication.
Dr. Erika Kappes: When people feel healthy in their body, they feel better in their mind.
Dr. Erika Kappes: Micronutrients are important for chemicals in the brain.
Dr. Erika Kappes: It's a case by case basis. Some people will start small dose of medication at the same time and we'll start lifestyle changes too.
Dr. Erika Kappes: I have developed more of a concierge approach to medicine. I'm very accessible between appointments and so I probably keep a smaller patient panel.
Dr. Erika Kappes: If you listen to the body, give it what it needs, it can do amazing things.
Dr. Erika Kappes: Living to older ages in a healthy manner is different than just living.
Dr. Erika Kappes: My first job was at an outpatient clinic at Fort Stewart. And then I was working at some different clinics that were embedded in different brigade combat units.
Dr. Erika Kappes: Access to care is an issue with essentially getting enough people in to treat the soldiers, especially with the mental health crisis going on in the military.
Dr. Erika Kappes: Chronic inflammation can lead to changes in the brain, changes in the amygdala.
Dr. Erika Kappes: For me, discipline and structure is an act of self-care, and that's what I try to tell other people as well.
Keywords:
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