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Uncontrollable anger can create trauma in others, destroy relationships, result in expulsion from school, end careers, and even result in incarceration. The prevailing psychological view is that rage often masks underlying feelings like fear, sadness, or extreme powerlessness. In my experience (and in the extensive data from the Walsh Research Institute), there is a very strong relationship between tantrums and rage and relatively high copper levels (in both children and adults). We know how to evaluate for copper overload and how to safely bring copper into a more optimal range (based on the Walsh data), usually with very positive results.
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Social anxiety can be debilitating. It can feel like there is always some fear inducing event around the corner - the next book report, the next having to read out loud in class, the next presentation to colleagues, the next, “Let’s go around the room and introduce ourselves and tell why we are here,” and for some, the next ordering at a restaurant. Social anxiety can impact the choices one makes about life - guide people away from careers that align with their gifts, have them forgo activities where they may have developed life long connections, or keep them from saying hello to someone they’d love to get to know. In this reel, I discuss a common nutrient imbalance that I see in those with social anxiety and how this is addressed in treatment. Most of the people that I see who have problems with their thoughts getting stuck (intrusive thoughts, ruminations, obsessional thinking) are “undermethyated”. Methyation, a biochemical process in the body, serves many functions, including the breakdown of histamine. High histamine in the body can cause allergies. High histatmine in the brain can cause thoughts to get stuck, as I describe in this reel. Those of us trained by the Walsh Research Institute assess for methylation imbalances and use nutrient protocols (personalized combination of nutrients) to address undermethylation and high activity at the NMDA receptor. In my experience as a holistic and functional psychiatrist, I’m always surprised at how common (and treatable) mold toxicity is. Respiratory symptoms do not need to be present for someone to be affected. In this reel, I discuss how mold toxicity can contribute to brain symptoms, but also to personality changes, and marital discord. In this reel, I discuss how a course of medication in our childhood or teens (e.g. medications for acne, recurrent ear infections or strep ) may be impacting our mental health throughout the course of our lives today. Hypermobility—having joints that bend further than normal—is a surprisingly common trait in those with brain symptoms. RCCX is a gene module (a cluster of four genes that are inherited together). Normally, our genes are not inherited together like this. This is a big deal because three of the genes are powerhouses when it comes to our health. (1) TNXB - variants can cause hyper-mobility (from none to Ehlers Danlos). Our connective tissue isn’t just about our joints, its also about the things like permeability of our gut blood barrier and blood brain barrier, and even how vulnerable we are to upper cervical instability (which can put tension on the vagus nerve) (2) CYP21A2 - (the most important of the three when it comes to psychiatric conditions) codes for an enzyme, 21-hydroxylase - a pivotal enzyme in hormonal pathways. When this enzyme is impaired (due to a mutation), there can be problems keeping up with the demands for cortisol, resulting in mast cell activation and secondary brain inflammation. (3) C4 - codes for complement C4 - a protein involved in the immune response (and autoimmunity) TNXB and CYP21A2 have high rate of mutations. According to Dr. Sharron Meglathery’s RCCX theory - this cluster of genes appears to be at the foundation of many psychiatric conditions and complex chronic health conditions, such as mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). There are also common traits that appear related CYP21A2, fitting with HSP/Highly Sensitive Person. This is likely due to hormonal affects on the brain (especially the amygdala) in utero, . Symptoms and traits also align with pyrrole disorder. Interestingly, CYP21A2 contains a pyrrole structure.
In an upcoming newsletter, I’ll discuss how early adversity and trauma can impact our physiology and biochemistry, and what can be done to promote healing and decrease potential health risks.
Researchers use Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) scores from large populations to look at health risks later in life. (These are less useful at an individual level, but still informative) ACE’s include experiences such as:
The higher the ACE’s scores in large populations, the greater the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, anxiety and suicidality. Not all childhood adversity and abuse, however, is captured by ACE. In this reel, I discuss what covert abuse looks like. There are many children out there whose cognitive, emotional and social development is impacted by candida overgrowth in the GI tract. This treatable, often overlooked condition, in my experience, is one of the more common contributing factor when it comes to inattention, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and OCD symptoms in children. “Drunken laughter,” seen especially in younger children, is due to “autointoxication” from fermentation in the gut. Some children will routinely rev up or have bouts of over the top silliness in the evening. Carb craving can be particularly severe - so severe, I’ve had some parents bring their children for treatment after having put locks on the refrigerator. In this reel, I also discuss other symptoms, treatment and typical treatment response. EMF, or electromagnetic fields, can impact brain symptoms in a number of ways. It can create a subtle and, for some, a not-so-subtle stress response in the body and brain. When we are under physiologic stress, we can have an increase in cortisol, an increase in stress neurotransmitters, inflammation, limbic system (think lizard brain) dysfunction, a depletion of our antioxidants, and disruption of our innate electricity, all contributing to brain symptoms. In this reel, I discuss the EMF meters that I use, and which have helped me assess and lower my own exposure.
Mental Health Conditions With Strong Associations With Specific Nutrient Imbalances
It is becoming increasingly clear that optimal brain health depends on balanced nutrient levels. But how exactly do nutrients influence neurotransmitter activity? It might seem intuitive to assume that specific nutrient levels would directly lead to specific symptoms or diagnoses. However, what clinical data more often reveals are biotypes—patterns in which a single condition is associated with a small group of nutrient imbalances. For example, depression biotypes identified by the Walsh Research Institute include undermethylation, overmethylation, pyrrole disorder, copper overload, and metal toxicity. Conversely, a single nutrient imbalance can manifest in a wide range of psychiatric symptoms. Copper overload, for instance, may contribute to ADHD in one individual, while in another it may be linked to panic, insomnia, or even rage and behavioral dysregulation. That said, certain mental health conditions do show strong correlations with specific nutrient imbalances. In this article, I will cover:
The data referenced here is based on findings from the Walsh Research Institute. The brain is a great barometer of oxidative stress. Psychiatric conditions, just as other chronic health conditions suggest high oxidative stress. The more severe the condition, the higher the oxidative stress. In this reel, after briefly explaining oxidative stress, I discuss the three components of lowering oxidative stress: 1) antioxidant support 2) lower exposures 3) support organs of detoxification There is not a one size fits all approach.. What is helpful to one person could be harmful to another. This is why antioxidant support and supporting detoxification should be done in a treatment relationship with someone knowledgeable. In my experience as a holistic child and adult psychiatrist, I consider a number of factors when evaluating and treating brain related symptoms including genetic vulnerability, attachment experience, trauma, nutrient imbalances that impact neurotransmitter functioning, “oxidative stress,” toxicity, gut microbiome issues and other sources of inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and even structural issues of the head and neck. One root cause isn’t associated with one symptom or condition. Despite this, there are certain nutrient imbalances that occur so commonly in certain psychiatric conditions that they can almost be predicted . In this reel, I discuss those conditions. Those of us trained through the Walsh Research Institute, assess for these imbalances using lab testing (along with looking at symptoms and traits) and then treat using use specific nutrient protocols. Deficiencies of certain nutrients can impact brain health, but so can specific nutrient overloads, which we can come by genetically or acquire from high “oxidative stress.” In this reel, I discuss five ways that specific nutrients can impact neurotransmitter functioning. Because of our biochemical diversity, we don’t all have the same needs when it comes to supplementation. Some of us, for example, can benefit from folate, but for others, it could worsen depression and anxiety. Many people I see have copper overload and have worsening of symptoms with copper supplementation, but there are some people who have relatively low copper. Mast cell activation causes high immune reactivity to a range of triggers, resulting in a range of physical symptoms. Though mast cells are not in the brain, they communicate with inflammatory cells in the brain and can play a role in brain-related symptoms, including intermittent brain fog, panic, hopelessness, fatigue and for some psychosis. Those who’ve struggled with this treatable condition often see many specialists before finding their answers and getting to the root causes. They say it takes at least twenty years for medical research to make its way into medical schools and clinical settings. Oxidative stress - the depletion of our inherent antioxidants, has been found in a number of studies, to be especially high in those with autism. Though not addressed in conventional psychiatry at this time in history, we do have a number of ways to lower oxidative stress. Reasons this should be considered part of a more comprehensive treatment plan, is because doing so can decrease the likelihood of comorbid symptoms and conditions, decrease the need for psychotropic medication and prevent the accumulation of other health conditions down the road. COMT and MAOA are genes that code for enzymes that help with breakdown of catecholamines - our stress neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine. Particular variants on these genes can result in a slowing in the clearance of these neurotransmitters. When someone is under emotional or physiologic stress, this can look like insomnia, restlessness, high anxiety hyperfocus, obsessional thinking, and for some paranoia and psychosis. Treatment involves addressing the “stressor,” to decrease the catecholamines being generated, but can also involve nutrient and dietary interventions to help clear catecholamines. Such variants are why some people will become very “activated” when under stress. One of the most common nutrient imbalances in children (and adults) with brain-related symptoms is undermethylation - a methyl-folate imbalance. The Walsh Research Institute found that 85% of children diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder and 98% of those with autism spectrum disorder were undermethylated. Other common symptoms in children (most children don’t have all of the symptoms) include perfectionism, obsessive compulsive traits, including (skin picking and nail biting), and/or phobias. As with adults, we address this nutrient imbalance using targeted nutrients and dietary recommendations.
Research, Support & Resources for Parents
As concerns around children, teens, social media, and screen use continue to grow, including the recent lawsuit against Meta and YouTube/Google, I wanted to bring together some of the current research on how technology may affect child development, emotional well-being, and mental health. More importantly, this episode is meant to offer support, practical perspective, and helpful resources for parents who are trying to navigate technology in a more intentional way at home. In this episode, I discuss:
Referenced Resources Boston Children’s Digital Wellness Lab Assessing and Lowering EMF Exposure EMF and the Brain As always, I welcome your thoughts and questions. Until next time, Courtney 
In this episode of the Holistic Psychiatry podcast, I discuss panic attacks, exploring their physiological, neurological, and emotional underpinnings. I discuss the heightened sensitivity of the brain’s alarm system, the role of neurotransmitters, hormonal influences, and the impact of inflammation and biotoxins. I’ll emphasize the importance of being curious about the nature of panic attacks..
Takeaways
Chapters 00:00 Understanding Panic Attacks 03:07 Physiological Factors Behind Panic Attacks 06:00 Neurotransmitters and Panic Disorder 08:52 The Role of Hormones in Panic Attacks 12:07 Inflammation and Panic Attacks 14:53 Mast Cells and Panic Responses 18:06 Biotoxins and Their Impact on Panic 21:00 Limbic System Dysfunction and Panic 24:11 The Autonomic Nervous System’s Role 26:45 Emotional Stressors and Panic Attacks As always, I welcome your thoughts and questions. Until next time, Courtney 
In this episode, I wanted to turn us back to more of the humanity and heart of our healing and thriving and step away from the science and left-brain information that I'm often sharing.
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Courtney Snyder, MDFor anyone experiencing brain symptoms. This blog (and weekly newsletter) is your guide to demystifying root causes and learning about surprising paths to healing. From a holistic - functional adult and child psychiatrist dedicated to helping people heal and thrive. Categories
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