S2E5: Integrative Psychiatry, Eating Disorders, and Suicide Prevention with James Greenblatt, MD Mental Horizons Podcast

This episode is with Dr. James Greenblatt. Dr. Greenblatt has been a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine for over 30 years, treating patients with complex behavioral and mood disorders since 1990.

Early in his career, Dr. Greenblatt noticed the current treatment model in psychiatry relied solely upon symptom-based recommendations for medication with little consideration for the biochemical individuality or the underlying biological mechanisms.

Dr. Greenblatt’s expertise in integrative medicine attracts patients from all across the world seeking consultations for complex mood, behavioral, and eating disorders.

Dr. Greenblatt has published multiple books, sharing his clinical experience treating complex mood and eating disorders utilizing an integrative approach. We will link to his books and other resources in the blog post that will accompany this podcast episode.

Dr. Greenblatt currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer at Walden Behavioral Care in Waltham, MA and serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine and Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine.

During this conversation between Virgil and Dr. Greenblatt, three main topics come up:

First, Dr. Greenblatt orients us to the world of integrative medicine and, more specifically, integrative psychiatry.

Secondly, Dr. Greenblatt shares his expertise around integrative treatments for eating disorders. He speaks to us about why the risk of suicide is so much greater among individuals struggling for eating disorders.

And lastly, Dr. Greenblat shares with us a model for suicide prevention that he has developed.