Episode 330: Why Meds Stop Working: Inflammation, Gut Health & Hidden Triggers with Dr. Jaquel Patterson

Host Erin Kerry interviews internationally recognized naturopathic physician and functional medicine leader Dr. Jaquel Patterson to unpack why anxiety, depression, and ADHD are skyrocketing…and why medications often stop working. Dr. Patterson explains the missing link between chronic inflammation, infections, gut health, and neuropsychiatric symptoms — especially in kids and teens. They discuss the labs your doctor may not be running, how to identify biological drivers of mental health struggles, and why functional medicine looks beyond “normal” ranges to find what’s optimal. Key Topics: - Chronic inflammation and how it disrupts the blood-brain barrier, neurotransmitters, and medication effectiveness - The biological drivers behind rising rates of anxiety, depression, and ADHD - Why standard labs miss key issues — and the optimal ranges that matter (ferritin, cortisol, thyroid, CRP, IL-6, ESR, testosterone) - How infections, including strep, Lyme disease, and tick-borne co-infections impact behavior, mood, and cognition - Understanding PANS/PANDAS and sudden-onset OCD, anxiety, and tics in children - The role of gut health, antibiotic exposure, and microbiome repair in brain development - Nutritional supports for kids: amino acids, protein intake, lithium orotate, beef liver, and micronutrients - Mold and environmental toxicity: why symptoms often get misdiagnosed as psychiatric - When medications stop working — and the physical issues to rule out - Practical first steps: blood work, environmental assessments, and small habits for long-term healing Links: Website: http://fairfieldfamilyhealth.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjaquel/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturopathic.physician/