They’re Not Ignoring You On Purpose Here’s What’s Really Going On

Hey there!

I'm so excited to share my recent conversation with Dr. Matthew Bernstein, a clinical psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience and the CEO of Accord.

Dr. Bernstein is a leading voice in metabolic psychiatry - a field that's still emerging but is gaining significant traction in research. So what exactly is metabolic psychiatry? In simple terms, it's the understanding that our brain is part of our body (not separate!), and how we fuel our body directly impacts our brain function and mental health.

Here's what blew my mind: The brain is only about 2% of our body weight but uses around 20% of our energy throughout the day! This makes it incredibly sensitive to metabolic issues.

Dr. Bernstein's journey into this field was deeply personal. Eight years ago, two of his three sons suddenly developed severe anxiety and depression that was debilitating - they couldn't go to school, see friends, or even function normally. After years of searching for answers, they discovered it was an autoimmune condition called PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) where infections lead to autoimmune processes that affect the brain.

This experience opened his eyes to how profoundly the body affects the brain - it's not just about neurotransmitters and talk therapy.

So, what can we as parents do to support our kids' mental health from a metabolic perspective?

Clean up their diet - Cut out processed foods loaded with sugar, simple carbs, and industrial oils. Dr. Bernstein challenges families to try avoiding added sugars for 30 days and see the difference. (Yes, it's tough, but the results can be worth it!)
Increase movement - Even just 30 minutes of walking daily can make a tremendous difference if your teen isn't currently active.
Prioritize sleep - Good sleep hygiene and proper circadian rhythm alignment are crucial for metabolic health.
Consider mind-body practices - Meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga all positively affect metabolism.

For those with more serious mental health challenges, Dr. Bernstein's residential program in Massachusetts offers a comprehensive approach combining a ketogenic diet, exercise programs, mindfulness practices, and proper sleep rhythms. They've seen incredible outcomes with people facing significant mental health issues.

One statistic that really stood out to me: Kids who were the most insulin resistant at age 9 were THREE TIMES more likely to develop severe mental illness like psychotic disorders in their twenties. And those who gained the most weight during puberty had a FIVE TIMES increased risk of depression in their twenties.

The connection between metabolic health and mental health is real, and as parents, we have more power than we might think to influence our children's well-being through nutrition and lifestyle.

I'd love to hear your thoughts if you try any of these approaches with your family. Have you noticed connections between your teen's diet and their mental health?

Stay well,

Cynthia
The Teen Anxiety Maze

Watch the full episode now!

Dr. Matthew Bernstein's Bio and Links:

In addition to being a respected clinical psychiatrist for more than 20 years, Dr. Matt Bernstein is Accord’s chief executive officer and one of the leading voices in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry.

After graduating summa cum laude from Columbia University in New York, N.Y., with a bachelor’s degree in English literature, he received his medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA.

Dr. Bernstein then trained at the MGH McLean Psychiatry Residency Program in Belmont, Mass., where he served as chief resident. He remained at McLean Hospital after residency as a psychiatrist-in-charge and later served as assistant medical director of its schizophrenia and bipolar inpatient program. Dr. Bernstein has developed his passion for community-based care as the chief medical officer at Ellenhorn, a sister program of Accord, where he has pursued alternative ways (such as a focus on metabolism, nutrition, circadian-rhythm biology and exercise) to help individuals achieve their best levels of functioning without relying solely on traditional psychiatric approaches. In addition to serving on the clinical advisory board at Metabolic Mind, Dr. Bernstein is known for organizing the first-ever public conference on metabolic psychiatry in 2023.

Check out his contact info below. ⬇️