Zendi Moldenhauer, PhD has been working in pediatrics and mental health for over 20 years. She works with children, adolescents and young adults, integrating her conventional medical background in pediatrics and psychiatry with more natural, holistic, and functional healing modalities to help people attain the highest level of health and wellness. She is particularly interested in nutrition and the gut-brain relationship in conditions like anxiety, depression, ADHD, stress-related conditions, and gut disorders like IBS.

Dr. Zendi has a PhD in Nursing from the University of Rochester, NY, with a specialty focus in Adolescent Mental Health. Dr Zendi is board certified as both a Nurse Practitioner in Psychiatry and a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She has completed advanced training in the following areas: Holistic Nutrition and Health Coaching through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, Integrative Psychiatry through multiple Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Conferences, and Functional Medicine through the Institute of Functional Medicine. Dr. Zendi is a frequent presenter on topics related to pediatric Functional Medicine.

Infections presenting as Psychiatric Disorders

Objectives:

1. Raise awareness: The first objective of the presentation is to raise awareness about the link between infections creating neuro-immune inflammation and psychiatric disorders. By highlighting specific infections that can lead to mental health issues, we aim to educate the audience about this important and often overlooked connection.

2. Identify psychiatric symptoms: The second objective is to describe common psychiatric symptom presentations associated with specific infections so that practitioners may better recognize these symptom-infection patterns.

3. Explore underlying mechanisms: The third objective is to delve into the underlying mechanisms through which infections can trigger psychiatric disorders. By explaining the pathways involved, such as inflammation, immune system dysregulation, and neurochemical imbalances, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how infections can impact mental health.

4. Present compelling evidence: The fourth objective is to present compelling evidence from scientific studies and case reports that demonstrate the association between infections and psychiatric disorders.

5. Discuss diagnostic and treatment challenges: The fifth objective is to discuss the diagnostic challenges involved in identifying and treating infections as a potential root cause of psychiatric disorders. By exploring the overlapping symptoms and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between medical and mental health professionals, we aim to emphasize the importance of considering infections in functional psychiatric evaluation and treatment.

6. Outline comprehensive assessment: The next objective is to describe comprehensive assessment strategies to identify infections in psychiatric symptom presentations or diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

7. Highlight treatment strategies: The final objective is to highlight the treatment strategies of infections associated with psychiatric disorders. By discussing the potential strategies for managing these conditions, including antimicrobial therapies, immunomodulatory interventions, gut-brain and inflammatory support, we aim to provide practical insights and guidance for healthcare professionals and patients alike.

Key learning points:

1. There are numerous links between infections creating neuro-immune inflammation and psychiatric disorders.

2. There is compelling evidence from scientific studies and case reports that demonstrate the association between infections and psychiatric disorders.

3. Practitioners need to understand the underlying mechanisms through which infections can trigger psychiatric disorders, including inflammation, immune system dysregulation, and neurochemical imbalances, so they can effectively treat patients.

4. Practitioners need to recognize common psychiatric symptom presentations associated with specific infections.

5. Practitioners need to be competent in comprehensive assessment strategies to identify infections in psychiatric symptom presentations so they can overcome the diagnostic challenges involved in identifying and treating infections as a potential root cause of psychiatric disorders.

6. Practitioners need to be knowledgeable about treatment strategies of infections associated with psychiatric disorders, including antimicrobial therapies, immunomodulatory interventions, gut-brain and inflammatory support.