Root causes: The interaction of endocrine & metabolic disorders and mental health
Explore the underlying hormonal and metabolic causes of mental health issues at the 2026 AAPPN Annual Conference.
New evidence-based research is unveiling the interaction between endocrinology and mental health. Endocrine disorders are often among the root causes of disorders such as cognitive impairment, anxiety, depression, and psychosis.
Earn up to 7.5 ANCC contact hours, including 5.0 pharmacotherapeutic hours.
Enrich your understanding how endocrine disorders impact your clients as we examine:
- A functional medicine approach to mental health through the lens of restoring biological terrain.
- The relationship between mental health and key physiologic systems.
- The therapeutic role of a ketogenic diet in neurological disorders.
- The intricate dynamics that bind mental health and obesity.
Learning from our colleagues
AAPPN has a proud tradition of promoting PMHNP speakers at our educational events. In exploring this topic, however, our Education Committee felt we could learn from ARNPs and physicians who specialize in endocrine medicine. We invite you to join us in welcoming our colleagues to aid us in expanding our knowledge and our skill base to serve our clients.
Nicole Smith, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, ONP-C, MSCP, will present “Hormones and mental health: What every psychiatric NP should know”
Polly Halpern, MN, ARNP, will present “Metabolic Psychiatry—A paradigm shift in mental health”
Penney Stringer, MD, will present “Beyond the diagnosis: Restoring the biological terrain of mental health — nutritional, inflammatory, metabolic, endocrine, and mitochondrial contributors to psychiatric symptoms”
