In preparation for a more thorough DBT episode with experts in the field, Margaret leads us through a “DBT 101” covering the essentially axioms of dialectical behavioral therapy along with the pillars of mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness. Join Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/howtobepatientpod If you’re ready to simplify the business side of your practice, now the perfect time to try SimplePractice. Do it with me! Start with a 7-day free trial, then get 50% off your first three months. Just go to http://www.SimplePractice.com to claim the offer. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we explore the current political climate and the possibility of the return of institutionalized mental health care. Though this is not a political podcast (I think Preston says that 5 times) , all of medicine is political,and it’s important to discuss the overlap.  Tune in to the Patreon section to directly support the creators and for more discussion about how institutionalization is handled in other countries! Citations: Japanese Psych Care https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7607734/#:~:text=other%20OECD%20countries-,The%20mean%20length%20of%20stay%20in%20psychiatric%20care%20beds%20in,highest%20percentage%20ever%20%5B11%5D OECD Stats https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/a-new-benchmark-for-mental-health-systems_4ed890f6-en/full-report/component-4.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168851023002300?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.scribd.com/document/632946247/WikerTS-2019-Supportedaccomodationforpeoplewithschizophrenia Ruud T, Friis S. Community-based Mental Health Services in Norway. Consort Psychiatr. 2021 Mar 20;2(1):47-54. doi: 10.17816/CP43. PMID: 38601095; PMCID: PMC11003347. Join Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/howtobepatientpod If you’re ready to simplify the business side of your practice, now the perfect time to try SimplePractice. Do it with me! Start with a 7-day free trial, then get 50% off your first three months. Just go to http://www.SimplePractice.com to claim the offer. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Margaret and Preston cover one of their most-requested clinical topics: diagnosing and treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD. Along the way, we review popular TikToks about OCD, including one Margaret made, and offer evidence-based approaches to treating OCD, along with a message of hope for anyone struggling with it.  Clinical guidelines Mentioned by Margaret International OCD Foundation Treatment Guidelines (APA has an older one, not recently updated) https://iocdf.org/ocd-treatment-guide/ AACAP Practice Parameter https://www.jaacap.org/article/S0890-8567(11)00882-3/fulltext AACAP Recommended Guideline https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/protocol Join Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/howtobepatientpod If you’re ready to simplify the business side of your practice, now the perfect time to try SimplePractice. Do it with me! Start with a 7-day free trial, then get 50% off your first three months. Just go to http://www.SimplePractice.com to claim the offer. Go to Cozy Earth now for a Buy One Get One Free Pajama Offer from 1/25-2/8! Yes, go to ⁠⁠cozyearth.com⁠⁠ they are doing a BOGO pajama promo. Just use my Code: PATIENTBOGO -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we try to tackle the easy and simple topic of death. Inspired by the writings of Irvin Yalom in Existential Psychotherapy, Preston attempts to describe the four maxims of existentialist theory in therapy and how they may apply to patients. Join Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/howtobepatientpod If you’re ready to simplify the business side of your practice, now the perfect time to try SimplePractice. Do it with me! Start with a 7-day free trial, then get 50% off your first three months. Just go to http://www.SimplePractice.com to claim the offer. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Margaret and I are joined by the legendary host of the podcast Psychiatry Bootcamp, Dr. Mark Mullen. As a clerkship director of the psychiatry rotation himself, Dr. Mullen adds his insights as we discuss the “high yield” (if you will) tips to learning and transitioning into residency. We share our triumphs and failures as interns and indulge you with our new segment called “5-minute chalk talks!”  Join Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/howtobepatientpod If you’re ready to simplify the business side of your practice, now the perfect time to try SimplePractice. Do it with me! Start with a 7-day free trial, then get 50% off your first three months. Just go to http://www.SimplePractice.com to claim the offer. Go to Cozy Earth now for a Buy One Get One Free Pajama Offer from 1/25-2/8! Yes, go to ⁠cozyearth.com⁠ they are doing a BOGO pajama promo. Just use my Code: PATIENTBOGO -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, which could be titled “Neurocognitive Assessments for Silly, Cool, Fun People” (that’s us—we are the silly, cool, fun people), Margaret and I describe five neurocognitive domains often used in psychometric testing. We also cover the associated simple yet elegant tests you can do at the bedside. These tests help provide better insight into the functioning of certain regions of the brain and the underlying processes of cognition. Join Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/howtobepatientpod If you’re ready to simplify the business side of your practice, now the perfect time to try SimplePractice. Do it with me! Start with a 7-day free trial, then get 50% off your first three months. Just go to http://www.SimplePractice.com to claim the offer. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of HBP, we interview Brooke Resche (CookwithDrBrooke on TikTok and Instagram) and answer some of your questions of how to feed yourself to help your brain, even when struggling with ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, or stress. We get into concrete strategies for each difficulty one might have with getting meals together and eating, and talk with Dr. Brooke about tips she uses with patients and how to talk about food and food habits.  Join Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/howtobepatientpod Go to Cozy Earth now for a Buy One Get One Free Pajama Offer from 1/25-2/8! Yes, go to cozyearth.com they are doing a BOGO pajama promo. Just use my Code: PATIENTBOGO -- Want more Amanda Stuckey Dodson All socials: @nestingyourlife  -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Margaret and I do our best to define the elusive diagnosis of dementia. We describe what the actual clinical definition of the cognitive disability is, explore the most common types of diseases that can cause dementia, and how to pick up on them clinically, especially when they start to look like other illnesses.  Join Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/howtobepatientpod -- Want more Amanda Stuckey Dodson All socials: @nestingyourlife  -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s one thing to think about optimal routines, and the internet is often very fixated on the “best”, but what about when you’re stressed, burnt out, or struggling with your mental health? On this episode, we have a conversation with clinical social worker and life skills specialist Amanda Stuckey Dodson to discuss how to care for yourself or someone you love when motivation, health, or just general stress have taken over. This episode centers on all the skills, tools, and mindsets she writes about in her new book, out now, Tidying the Abyss, and on her TikTok and Instagram @nestingyour life. Join Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/howtobepatientpod -- Want more Amanda Stuckey Dodson All socials: @nestingyourlife  -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we present to you our first Journal Club episode, in which we feature a primary author of an important piece of research. Online, content supercedes context, and when it comes to emerging hypothesis around big topics–like AI–this loss of context can lead to polarizing views. Today, we are excited to share a longer form interview with one of the leads of the MIT Media Lab’s study that was published as a pre-print this summer: Your Brain on ChatGPT.  Join Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/howtobepatientpod Citations: Primary Paper and FAQ’s from MIT team : https://www.brainonllm.com/ Unesco 2025 ethics of neurotechnology draft: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000394866/PDF/394866eng.pdf.multi -- Want more Nataliya Kosmyna: https://x.com/nataliyakosmyna ; https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliekosmina/ ; https://www.instagram.com/nataliyakosmyna/ ; https://mastodon.social/@nataliyakosmyna and @nataliyakosmyna.bsky.social‬ . -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back for season 3! For our first episode, we have on a food scientist to discuss from the industry side food myths, which we combine with our own readings from the psychiatry literature. We touch on red dye 40, the minerals in the soil, and how to slow down information from social media grocery store aisle walkers.  For our bonus section with Hydroxide, check our Patreon, where this season we will have bonus segments for each episode! Funding through patreon lets us make this podcast sustainable.  Join Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/howtobepatientpod -- Want more Hydroxide: All socials: @hydroxide.foodscience -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margaret and I pivot into mentor mode a little in this episode, it’s targeted towards medical students and the vicissitudes of the match. We know these are tough times and we wanted to share some advice about what to look for in a psych program and how to pick a  place to train that is right for you. We also debrief the end of season 2 and take a wrap on 40 episodes! As always, thank you for listening! -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By popular demand, Margaret and Preston are back with another therapy episode. The topic this week? Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a third wave behavioral therapy that Margaret happens to be trained in and love for her patients and her own life. In this episode we talk about the founder of ACT and its roots in behaviorism, what an ACT therapist “sounds like”, and the 6 core processes of psychological flexibility that encompass what this type of therapy does. Finally, Margaret and Preston go through their own values, and try to apply the ACT principles to two particular problems in their own lives.  Resources: Book for clinicians: ACT in Steps by Clarissa W. Ong, Michael E. Levin, and Michael P. Twohig Book for all: The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris, ACT Made Simple by Russ Harris Quick explanations from the ACT official website: https://contextualscience.org/the_six_core_processes_of_act Citations: Chapter cited for history/explanation of theory for ACT: Hayes, S.C., Strosahl, K.D., Bunting, K., Twohig, M., Wilson, K.G. (2004). What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?. In: Hayes, S.C., Strosahl, K.D. (eds) A Practical Guide to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-23369-7_1 Process Based Therapy: Hofmann SG, Hayes SC. The Future of Intervention Science: Process-Based Therapy. Clin Psychol Sci. 2019 Jan;7(1):37-50. doi: 10.1177/2167702618772296. Epub 2018 May 29. PMID: 30713811; PMCID: PMC6350520.Encyclopedia of Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Editors: Arthur Freeman, Stephanie H. Felgoise, Christine M. Nezu, Arthur M. Nezu, Mark A. Reinecke. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we bring on Kristin Flanary, who is currently doing her own investigation into dissociations associated with trauma from both her own experience as a survivor and as an academic. We discuss the current media landscape of trauma and dissociation, the neurological mechanisms of dissociation, and therapeutic approaches clinicians can use with a patient who is experiencing dissociation. Citations: Modesti MN, Rapisarda L, Capriotti G, Del Casale A. Functional Neuroimaging in Dissociative Disorders: A Systematic Review. J Pers Med. 2022;12(9):1405. Published 2022 Aug 29. doi:10.3390/jpm12091405 Tisserand A, Philippi N, Botzung A, Blanc F. Me, Myself and My Insula: An Oasis in the Forefront of Self-Consciousness. Biology (Basel). 2023;12(4):599. Published 2023 Apr 14. doi:10.3390/biology12040599 McIntyre CK, McGaugh JL, Williams CL. Interacting brain systems modulate memory consolidation. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2012;36(7):1750-1762. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2011.11.001 -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are joined by the host of the “calling in sick” a pod run by our good friend Alex (familiarly) to discuss the rigamoroll that is navigating the healthcare system through the eyes of a patient with debilitatig conditions. Alex shares her story from Investment banker, to patient to podcaster all the while coloring things with her own levity and resilience. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is a slight excursion from our regularly scheduled program. Today we are chatting with Will Flannery, who is in many ways our content “dad” if you will. We will talk about the art of including humor into our daily practive, when it goes right, when it goes left, and where we go from here. Dr. Glaucomflecken also has some fun and new projects he’d like to share with you at the end.  -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margaret and I are back with part two of our conversation with Dr. Drew Ramsey and this time, things get personal. I volunteered my real-life food log for a full nutritional psychiatry breakdown… and let’s just say my “ultra-processed protein” lifestyle did not escape unscathed. What started as a casual diet review turned into something deeper. A mentoring session about joy, creativity, and what it actually means to feed your brain. Margaret brings her psychodynamic insight, Dr. Ramsey brings the science, and I bring… a whole lot of protein powder and self-reflection. If you’ve ever tried to optimize your health but ended up missing the soul in your routine, this episode is for you. Takeaways: Why your “perfect” diet might still leave you mentally drained and what to do about it. The hidden emotional layers behind our food choices (yes, even that afternoon candy craving). How protein obsession became a modern wellness trap and what real balance looks like. The role of creativity, cooking, and joy in building true mental fitness. Why self-care means more than nutrients, it’s about structure, connection, and staying alive in this work. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We sat down with Dr. Drew Ramsey to talk about something we all think we understand and don’t: how food shapes mood. In Part 1, we get practical and personal: what to reach for when you’re anxious, what to cook when you’re depressed, and how to think about nutrition when you’re busy, broke, or just not in the headspace to sauté anything. We talk simple swaps, what actually belongs on a “brain food” plate, and why perfection is the enemy of getting fed. Takeaways: Start small, eat real: One or two consistent food changes beat any “perfect diet” you’ll abandon by Thursday. Plates, not rules: Build a simple “brain-food plate” you can repeat—color, protein, fiber, healthy fat, then stop obsessing. Shop for mood, not vibes: A short grocery list can be more stabilizing than another self-help book. Cook your baseline: Have 2–3 “low-spoon” meals you can make when motivation is gone. Progress over purity: The goal isn’t clean eating; it’s consistent nourishment your future self can rely on. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this preston-led episode, we take a deep dive into the history of lithium and its use in psychiatry. But because Preston is very literal, we are starting at the very beginning, inside of stars where lithium was formed at the beginning of the universe. Then we will follow this wonderful atom through history and past its FDA approval in 1970 to where we are today.  Takeaways: Lithium was once sold in Seven Up as a mood-lifting ingredient—but the consequences were messy. A forgotten Australian psychiatrist helped launch lithium into psychiatry with groundbreaking trials. Despite its toxicity risks, lithium remains the gold standard for reducing relapse and suicidality. U.S. psychiatrists resisted lithium for decades—even as Europe embraced it. Preston and Margaret debate lithium’s place today: miracle stabilizer or underused relic? Citations: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0025556484901160 Shorter E. The history of lithium therapy. Bipolar Disord. 2009 Jun;11 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):4-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-5618.2009.00706.x. PMID: 19538681; PMCID: PMC3712976.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3712976/ Fowler, Gene. Crazy Water: The Story of Mineral Wells and Other Texas Health Resorts. No. 10. TCU Press, 1991. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Margaret and I sat down with Dr. Jhilam Biswas, psychiatrist and expert on the intersection of law and mental health, for one of the hardest—and most important conversations we’ve had on the show. Together, we take a close look at how our justice system responds to mental illness: what happens when people in crisis are incarcerated instead of cared for, and how the prison system has become a stand-in for mental health treatment in the U.S. Dr. Biswas helps us unpack the reality of solitary confinement, forced treatment, and the impossible choices clinicians face when caring for patients inside a system built for punishment, not healing. Alongside Margaret, I reflect on the human cost—on families, on providers, and on the people trapped in cycles of crisis and incarceration. This isn’t just a policy issue—it’s a deeply personal one. And it’s urgent. Takeaways: The prison system has become the de facto mental health provider—and it’s failing people in crisis. Solitary confinement and punishment often substitute for care, especially when individuals are suicidal. Clinicians face impossible ethical dilemmas, forced to provide care within systems that perpetuate harm. Alternatives to incarceration exist, but remain underfunded and underutilized. Reimagining justice requires reimagining care—building systems that prioritize treatment, not punishment. Citations: Biswas J, Drogin EY, Gutheil TG. Treatment Delayed is Treatment Denied. J Am Acad Psychiatry Law. 2018 Dec;46(4):447-453. doi: 10.29158/JAAPL.003786-18. PMID: 30593474. Biswas J. Dignity restored: the power of treatment first. CNS Spectr. 2024 Dec 23;30(1):e11. doi: 10.1017/S109285292400052X. PMID: 39714025. Advocacy:  ⁠https://www.psychiatry-mps.org/⁠ Jhilam Biswas: Dr. Biswas Website: https://psychexpertise.com/ https://www.neuroethicscollege.org/ -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is aphasia, really and what happens when your brain no longer cooperates with your ability to speak or understand language? In this episode, Preston and Margaret tackle the messy, frustrating, and often isolating world of language disorders, focusing on the real-life implications of aphasia. They walk through the clinical causes, what it looks like day-to-day, and how aphasia differs from other speech and cognitive issues. Along the way, they share stories of miscommunication, explore the frustrations of being misunderstood, and dig into how patients and clinicians can better work together when words are hard to find. Takeaways: Aphasia isn’t about intelligence—it’s about access. There’s more than one kind of aphasia—and none of them are simple. Communication breakdowns aren’t just frustrating—they’re isolating. Not all “word-finding problems” are created equal.. Listening might be the most important clinical skill we overlook. Citations: Main paper discussed during episode: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2854959/pdf/jcn-2-149.pdf Aphasia and the Diagram Makers Revisited: an Update of Information Processing Models Kenneth M. Heilman, M.D. The James E. Rooks Jr. Distinguished Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, and VAMC, Gainesville, Florida -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it all in your head or is pain more complex than we’ve been led to believe? In this episode, Margaret and I dig into the psychological and biological factors that shape our experience of pain, including how the brain processes physical discomfort, the emotional toll it takes, and what role medications actually play. We also share stories from our own lives and clinical work that highlight how pain shows up in complicated, often misunderstood ways. If you've ever wondered why your body hurts when your heart is breaking, or why painkillers don’t always work, this one’s for you. Takeaways: Is pain really all in your head—or is that just part of the story? How much of pain is physical, and how much is psychological? Can we rewire the way we experience pain? Why don’t medications always work the way we expect for pain relief? What does it mean to treat pain with both compassion and science? Citations: Stanford and ACPA Chronic Pain guide 2024: https://www.acpanow.com/uploads/9/9/8/3/99838302/acpa_stanford_resource_guide_2024.pdf -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margaret took the captain’s chair for this one, and I was just along for the ride—straight into the deep waters of psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy. We start with the basics: what do these words actually mean, and why do they still make some clinicians roll their eyes while others swear by them? From Freud’s infamous couch to modern relational therapy, we unpack the myths, the methods, and the mysteries that still define this approach. Along the way, we wrestle with big questions: What’s really happening in the therapeutic relationship? Why does transference matter? And is there value in a therapy that sometimes feels more like philosophy than science? And because talking about it wasn’t enough, we try it on for size—running a live role-play where I attempt a psychodynamic formulation in real time. (Spoiler: it’s as messy and awkward as you’d imagine, but also revealing in ways I didn’t expect.) This isn’t a lecture or a history lesson. It’s us exploring why psychodynamic therapy still sparks curiosity, skepticism, and maybe even wonder—and asking what it means for the future of how we help people heal. Takeaways: Therapy on the Couch: Why psychoanalysis still matters, even if we roll our eyes at Freud.The Mirror Effect: How transference and countertransference shape every session more than we realize. Cracks in the Foundation: Why psychodynamic work digs into the “basement” instead of just fixing surface problems.Between Science and Story: The tension between falsifiability and the lived experience of patients. Practice Makes Awkward: A live role-play that shows just how messy (and revealing) this approach can be. Citations: Kassaw K, Gabbard GO. Creating a psychodynamic formulation from a clinical evaluation. Am J Psychiatry. 2002 May;159(5):721-6. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.159.5.721. PMID: 11986123. Summers, R. F., Barber, J. P., & Zilcha-Mano, S. (2024). Psychodynamic therapy: A guide to evidence-based practice (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press. Chapter 1 cited -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode might feel like a gut punch, in the most important way. Margaret and I sat down with Alyson Stoner to talk about what it means to be raised in the spotlight, what happens when systems prioritize performance over people, and how we reckon with that legacy in healthcare. There’s a vulnerability here that caught me off guard and I think that’s the point. If you’ve ever wondered what lies beneath the polished performances we all grew up watching, this one’s for you. Takeaways: The Performance Trap: We unpack how young performers are trained to suppress needs for the sake of applause—and what that does long term. Behind the Curtain: Alyson shares a raw, unfiltered look at what fame masked, and what it demanded. Trauma in the Body: We explore how unresolved pain shows up in physical health—and how the body never really forgets. Reclaiming Identity: From child star to advocate, Alyson walks us through the messy, powerful work of redefinition. What Healing Can Look Like: It's not about fixing—it’s about reconnecting. And sometimes the most honest therapy isn’t clinical at all. Want more Alyson Stoner: IG: @alysonstoner TikTok: @alysonstoner YouTube: @TheRealAlysonStoner Citations: Orenstein GA, Lewis L. Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development. [Updated 2022 Nov 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556096/ -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margaret and I sat down to speak on a topic we rarely hear spoken plainly: suicide. We didn’t plan to tidy anything up or wrap it in easy language. Instead, we tried to sit with it—the fear, the responsibility, the human ache behind it all. We talk about how suicide shows up in our clinical work, how it’s shaped us personally, and why we both believe silence helps no one. This isn’t a “how-to” or a lecture. It’s a real conversation between two people trying to hold space for pain, and maybe offer a little hope in the process. Takeaways: Let’s Start with the Silence – We unpack why suicide feels unspeakable in both professional and personal spaces. The Weight of the Question – Margaret and I talk about what it’s like when someone asks, “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?” Clinician Meets Human – We explore the blurry line between being the helper and being the one in crisis. Words That Don’t Fix But Still Matter – Sometimes just saying “I’ll sit with you” carries more power than advice. Not a Lesson—A Lived Experience – This episode isn’t scripted or solved. It’s honest, messy, and real. Citations: Margaret’s Discussion portion and most referenced informed by review ch: Kaplan and Sadock’s Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry, Volume 11, 2025 Published. Chapter 31.1: Psychiatric Emergencies: Suicide Overview, Risk and Protective Factors, Treatment, and Prevention Suicide Crisis Syndrome Reference: Melzer, L., Forkmann, T., & Teismann, T. (2024). Suicide Crisis Syndrome: A systematic review. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 54, 556–574. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.13065 -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode felt like a deep exhale. Margaret runs solo today, as she sat down with Dr. Hillary McBride—psychologist, author, and researcher—to talk about embodiment, trauma, and the radical act of tuning back into ourselves. We talked about what it means to feel your feelings in your body, why disconnection often begins as protection, and how pleasure, presence, and play can be part of the healing process. It’s about more than coping. It’s about coming home. This one surprised me, and stayed with me. I think it might do the same for you. Takeaways: Embodiment isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. Disconnection from the body is often a trauma response we learned for survival. Reconnecting with your body can feel foreign, even frightening—and still be worth it. Healing doesn’t always mean “feeling better”—sometimes it just means feeling. Your body can be a place of safety, wisdom, and even joy—but you don’t have to rush to get there. -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While in psychiatry we avoid using declarative or certain language about mechanisms, it can be helpful to think about the narratives that drive people to behavior that will ultimately end their life. In this episode Margaret and I review the Durkheim principles of suicidality following the four categories: anomic, fatalistic, egoistic and altruistic. We talk about how each has a distinct flavor in the clinical setting and which ones are better handled by safety planning or solution based interventions. -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr and Lady Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Part 2 of our deep dive into eating disorders—and this time, we’re going even deeper. We kick off by unpacking our mock therapy session with Dr. Helen Liljenwall, which unexpectedly hit close to home for all of us. Then we take a sharp turn into the medical realities of starvation, including refeeding syndrome, the female athlete triad, and why your heart is always in the equation (literally). But what happens when patients refuse to eat—and we have to decide whether they need a psychiatric hold? Who gets to say when a person with an eating disorder has lost capacity? And is “terminal anorexia” a compassionate truth—or a dangerous excuse? If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to treat eating disorders, this is the episode to hear. It's raw, real, and it doesn’t flinch. Takeaways: Refeeding syndrome isn’t just a med school concept—it’s a real, life-threatening danger in eating disorder treatment. Psychiatric holds for anorexia raise tough ethical questions about autonomy, capacity, and what it means to save a life. That fake therapy session? It’s not so fake when the emotional stakes are this high. The eating disorder voice can sound like discipline—but it’s often masking deep distress. Terminal anorexia is a controversial idea… and we don’t shy away from the controversy. -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is Part 1 of our two-part deep dive into eating disorders—and we’re starting at the beginning. Margaret and I sit down with psychiatrist and eating disorder specialist Helen Liljenwall, MD to walk through the basics: What are the major types of eating disorders? What do they actually look like in real life? And how do we treat something that’s rooted in both biology and culture? We cover everything med school skipped—then try to practice what we’ve learned in a fake (but emotionally real) therapy session with Dr. Helen as the patient. Spoiler: it got uncomfortable in all the right ways. Takeaways: Eating disorders don’t come with a single look—or a single diagnosis. We break down the ones you’ve heard of and the ones you haven’t. Every med student should hear this conversation. Because we weren’t taught how to spot this stuff—let alone treat it. Practicing therapy with an expert in the “patient” seat is more terrifying than it sounds. This isn’t just about food. It’s about fear, shame, and survival strategies. We’re not pretending to know everything. We’re starting with the basics—so we can learn to do better. -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margaret and I talk about what it feels like to care for patients who remind us a little too much of ourselves, especially when we’re also the ones filling out the paperwork for a psychiatric hold. We dig into what a 5150 (or 5585) really means, how to sit with that kind of authority, and the emotional mess of seeing a patient’s fear reflect your own. Psychiatric holds carry legal weight, but emotional weight, too. We talk about what it’s like to sit with both. Takeaways: Signing a psych hold form never feels casual—especially when the patient could’ve been me. Overidentifying isn’t compassion—it’s a signal that I might need supervision, fast. Letting go of a patient isn’t always a failure. Sometimes it’s a kindness. Psychiatric holds carry legal weight, but emotional weight, too. We talk about what it’s like to sit with both. Empathy is powerful—until it gets in the way. Learning where to stop is part of learning how to stay. -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Margaret and I take on burnout—what it actually is, where the term came from, and how to tell when you’re not just tired, but something deeper is cracking. We dig into the history, the Maslach Inventory, moral injury, and why burnout isn’t in the DSM (yet). We also share our own unhinged burnout moments (yes, mine involves harmonica) and explore how to tell the difference between burnout, depression, and just being in the wrong place. Reference: MBI Self Test: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16OJpRvvrGfs8SEEXgKk_Em8NgZerZkdo/view Takeaways: Did I buy a harmonica during a burnout spiral? Yes. Was it helpful? Also yes. Burnout isn’t just a vibe—it has a whole inventory. We took it, and let’s just say… some of us are more charred than others. Moral injury hits different when you’re the one holding the clipboard. Especially when someone else made the call. Burnout and depression aren’t the same—but they like to hang out. And sometimes you don’t know which one’s driving. Not all coping strategies are cute. Some look like spreadsheets. Some look like chili’s. Some look like crying in a hospital bathroom. -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This might be our nerdiest episode yet—and that’s saying something. In our Season 2 kickoff, Margaret and I sit down with Dr. Margo Funk, psychiatrist and QTC whisperer, to explore the strange, stressful overlap between psychiatry and cardiology. We talk about our worst fears on call, how to spot when an EKG is lying to you, and why it might be time to stop blaming Haldol and start looking at your T wave. There are metaphors involving horses, guns, Timberlake, and Kool-Aid. Somehow, it all makes sense. If you’ve ever been scared of EKGs, risk calculators, or calling your attending at 2AM—this one’s for you. Takeaways: I thought I understood the QT interval—until I realized I didn’t. Turns out, there’s a difference between what the EKG says and what your patient actually needs. Not all meds are the villains we make them out to be. Spoiler: Haldol gets a redemption arc. Trazodone… does not. I finally learned what that weird slope on the T wave actually means. And yes, it involves potassium. ICD storms are real—and they are terrifying. Dr. Funk explains why treating the aftermath is as critical as preventing the next one. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is call your attending. Or carry a caliper. Or question the computer. -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 1: complete! In this wrap-up episode, Margaret and I reflect on what it’s been like building this show from scratch—while also being full-time psychiatry residents. We talk about favorite episodes, unexpected challenges, what we’re still figuring out, and what’s ahead for Season 2. We also answer listener questions about training, creativity, psychedelics, and the eternal search for balance when your brain wants art and your calendar says “clinic.” There’s some honesty, some gratitude, and a whole lot of behind-the-scenes chaos. Takeaways: This podcast started as exposure therapy—and became a little bit of everything. Talking into a mic is not the same as talking into a TikTok. (Spoiler: I struggled way more than I thought I would.) My favorite episodes? The ones that made us play. Guest experts, weird improv scenes, and stuff we’ll probably regret saying on camera. We’re learning in public—about psychiatry, about medicine, and about ourselves. And yeah, we definitely got some things wrong along the way. We’re not stopping. Season 2 is coming, and we’re getting even weirder (and maybe wiser) next time. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Nikki Haddad, we went from couples therapy theory to Simpsons cosplay, and yes—it was as chaotic and illuminating as it sounds. Margaret and I roleplay Homer and Marge in a fictional session while Nikki breaks down what’s actually happening between us (emotionally, not just cartoonishly). Along the way, we talk about heteronormativity, escapism, parenting exhaustion, and the red flags that get mistaken for romance. It’s part improv, part therapy, part meltdown. But somehow, it makes sense. Takeaways: Couples therapy gets real fast when you’re pretending to be Homer Simpson. And somehow, the emotional truth still lands. Escapism isn’t always the problem—sometimes it’s the signal. Nikki helps us unpack how conflict, withdrawal, and resentment show up underneath the surface. Heteronormativity shows up even when you think you’re past it. From breadwinner guilt to emotional labor, we talk about the roles we don’t realize we’re playing. Being a therapist in the room with two people pretending to fall apart is harder than it looks. Nikki walks us through what she watches for—and what she doesn’t say out loud. Yes, we were roleplaying. No, we were not okay. But that’s what makes this one worth listening to. -- Want more Dr. Nikki Haddad: IG: @nikkiiiirose Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Nikki Haddad—Margaret's residency best friend, couples and sex therapist, and one of the most thoughtful psychiatrists I know—to break down what makes romantic relationships so damn hard. We get into myths we’ve carried (and tried to shake), how sexual issues are rarely just about sex, and why our training in medicine doesn’t prepare us to talk about any of this. Nikki then walks us through the five developmental stages of a relationship and this is only Part 1. Be sure to stay tuned next week for Part 2 of the conversation! Takeaways: I used to think the right relationship should feel easy. Turns out, the real ones take work, discomfort, and occasionally arguing over ice cream. Nikki taught us that sex issues aren’t just about the act—they’re a doorway to everything else we avoid. I finally learned what “differentiation” means in a relationship—and why it feels like breaking up with your past self. Couples therapy isn’t just two people yelling about chores. It’s a roadmap, a mirror, and a lot of basketball metaphors. Yes, Margaret and I roleplayed a fictional couple. Yes, I did an accent. No, we will not be taking questions. -- Want more Dr. Nikki Haddad: IG: @nikkiiiirose Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We opened up the inbox and wow… y’all really came through. In this first-ever Q&A episode, Margaret and I answer your questions about coping during med school, surviving feedback, dealing with emotional exhaustion in residency, and why outpatient goodbyes feel like actual breakups. I also overshare about marathon training (again), Margaret brings the wisdom and the theater metaphors, and we all learn what bald eagles actually sound like. It’s a mix of serious, strange, and unexpectedly honest—basically, peak us. Takeaways: What if taking feedback wasn’t about defending yourself—but just... listening? It took me a while to get there. Still working on it. Graduating patients from therapy might be the hardest part of residency. Margaret gets into what that really feels like. Coping doesn’t always look like wellness. Sometimes it looks like boundary-setting, running way too far, or just... wearing real pants again. The match will mess with your head. But six months into residency? You’ll probably be right where you need to be. Can we measure healing in showers taken, not symptoms cured? Asking for a friend. And all of psychiatry. Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I learned I have a pelvic floor. And yes, I realize I’m a doctor and should’ve known that already. Margaret and I talk with pelvic floor physical therapist and viral educator Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, who somehow made me breathe through my butt on mic. We cover everything from incontinence and pelvic pain to TikTok fame, trauma-informed care, and the surprisingly emotional world of core stability. Alicia breaks down the science and the stigma behind one of the most misunderstood parts of the body—and I try to keep up while sitting on a pillow and trying not to Kegel too hard. Takeaways: I didn’t know I had a pelvic floor until this episode. Spoiler: everyone has one. Yes, even you. Turns out, anxiety might live in your hips. Alicia explains how mental health and physical tension are way more connected than I realized. We talk about peeing “just in case” more than I ever expected to on this podcast. And it’s weirdly important. Margaret brought the neuroscience, Alicia brought the pelvic models, and I brought... confusion and curiosity. It actually worked. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your body, this one’s for you. And if you haven’t—congrats on being a floating brain, I guess. -- Want more Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas: IG / TT: @thepelvicdancefloor Website: http://www.thepelvicdancefloor.com Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the last episode, Preston demonstrated to Margaret how to properly conduct a mindfulness meditation session. Due to popular demand, the sage spiritual guide is back. Takeaways: Preston can’t lead a meditation Margaret shouldn’t let him try — Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Music: “Peaceful, Reiki, Meditation, Calm, Healing Music [ NO COPYRIGHT ]” by Moon Meditation Music // License: Creative Commons Attribution License  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 16, Preston and Margaret dive into the chaos of overnight residency, the reality of sleep deprivation, and how mindfulness can backfire when your brain just won’t sit still. From ruined meditations to hot girl walks through hospital hallways, they unpack what real-world coping actually looks like—before, during, and after the hardest moments. Takeaways: Coping doesn’t always look like calm. Sometimes it looks like sour gummy worms, a midnight hospital lap, or an espresso ritual that holds your brain together. Mindfulness is hard—especially when you need it most. Preston and Margaret explore why stillness can feel unbearable and what that reveals. The ‘right’ tool at the wrong time can make things worse. They break down when distraction works, when it doesn’t, and why guilt shouldn’t be part of the equation. Safety plans might be broken. What happens when you’re just checking boxes—and how can we make them matter again? Sometimes the coping skill is just surviving. This episode redefines success as doing what you can with what you’ve got, even if it's messy. Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 15, Preston and Margaret open a bottle—of questions, stories, and science—about alcohol use disorder. What do we get wrong about “moderate” drinking? Why is detox more dangerous than most people realize? And how does alcohol quietly reshape identity, relationships, and the brain itself? With their signature blend of honesty and humor, they explore the unexpected ways drinking shows up in medicine, the myths that keep us stuck, and the messy, meaningful path to redefining recovery. Takeaways: What if “just a drink” isn’t so simple? Preston and Margaret explore how subtle patterns can blur the line between social drinking and something more. Could quitting be more dangerous than drinking? There’s a reason detox needs to be taken seriously—and it’s not what you think. What does alcohol really do to your brain? Let’s just say it’s a little more complicated than relaxation and red wine. Why don’t we talk about medication for alcohol use disorder? The answers are as cultural as they are clinical. Is recovery a destination—or something else entirely? Margaret and Preston unpack a version of success that doesn’t always fit the script. Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 14, Preston and Margaret dive into social anxiety disorder and the loneliness epidemic. From embarrassing childhood memories to awkward club encounters, they explore how social anxiety shows up in everyday life and how it differs from normal nerves. They also discuss the surgeon general’s definition of loneliness, the role of social media in increasing perceived judgment, and the neuroscience behind facial recognition, fear responses, and serotonin's impact on the amygdala. Takeaways: Social Anxiety Is More Than Shyness: It becomes a disorder when it causes persistent distress, distorted perceptions of judgment, and leads to avoidance of meaningful activities. Loneliness Is Subjective—and Epidemic: According to the U.S. Surgeon General, loneliness stems not just from solitude but from perceived lack of meaningful connection, and it has major mental and physical health consequences. Social Media Can Amplify Anxiety: Being constantly seen—and judged—online may intensify social anxiety, even for those who appear confident or well-known. Your Brain Is Wired to Care: Structures like the amygdala, insula, and anterior cingulate cortex play key roles in social fear, facial recognition, and rejection sensitivity—and they’re all modifiable with therapy and medication. Healing Is Gradual and Personal: CBT, SSRIs, and compassionate exposure therapy can retrain the brain’s fear circuits—but treatment must match the individual’s goals, beliefs, and readiness for change. Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Preston and Margaret take a deep dive into the science of running, exercise culture, and its impact on mental health. They explore the history of running, how it went from an obscure activity to a cultural phenomenon, and the physiological and psychological mechanisms that make it such a powerful mental health tool. They also unpack the identity crisis that can come with being an athlete, how running became the millennial version of church, and why dance might actually be a better form of exercise for mental health than running (gasp!). Takeaways: Running Changes the Brain: It increases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), neuroplasticity, and ketone metabolism, all of which may protect against depression and cognitive decline. The History of Running is Wild: Running wasn’t always a mainstream activity—it went from being a niche Olympic event to one of the most popular fitness trends of the modern era. Exercise Culture Shapes Identity: Many athletes struggle to transition after competitive sports, often searching for structure, purpose, and a new relationship with movement. Dance Might Actually Be Better for Mental Health: Research suggests dancing has stronger effects on mood and cognition than running, likely due to its social, rhythmic, and sensory components. The Best Exercise is the One You’ll Do: While running has profound mental health benefits, the most effective workout is one that is enjoyable and sustainable for the long term. Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Margaret takes the lead as she welcomes art therapist, psychotherapist, and author Amelia Knott to discuss the ethics of being online, parasocial relationships, and the impact of social media on mental health. We explore the blurred lines between personal and professional identities in digital spaces, the therapeutic power of art, and how social media fosters both connection and disconnection. Takeaways: Parasocial Relationships Feel Real—But Aren’t Always Balanced: The one-sided intimacy we form with online figures can create expectations that don’t match reality. Art Can Be a Pathway to Self-Discovery: Engaging in creative expression helps process emotions in a way that words alone sometimes can’t. The Internet Blurs Professional Boundaries: Therapists, doctors, and other professionals must carefully navigate how much of themselves to share online while maintaining ethical standards. Social Media Shapes How We See Ourselves: Being constantly observed—even by an imagined audience—can change how we experience our lives and make choices. Digital Well-Being Requires Intentionality: There’s no perfect fix for screen overuse, but being mindful of why and how we engage with digital spaces can help create a healthier relationship with technology. — Want more Amelia Knott: Instagram and TikTok: @art_therapy_irl Facebook: @art.therapy.irl Website: https://www.arttherapyinreallife.com/ Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we are joined by Priyanka Patel, a pharmacist, content creator, and soon-to-be author, to discuss mental health misinformation, ADHD, and the challenges of navigating online discourse about mental health. Priyanka shares her personal journey with ADHD, the barriers she faced in getting a diagnosis, and how social media both helps and harms conversations about neurodivergence. Takeaways: Not All Mental Health Content is Created Equal: Social media is full of both helpful education and misleading oversimplifications, making media literacy crucial when consuming mental health content. ADHD in Women is Still Underdiagnosed: Many women with ADHD don’t receive a diagnosis until adulthood, often being dismissed as “lazy” or “disorganized” instead of receiving the support they need. Pharmacogenetics and Gender Differences Matter: Research suggests that women may metabolize ADHD medications differently, yet most treatment guidelines are based on studies conducted on men. ADHD is Not Just a "Quirk": While humor can help destigmatize neurodivergence, romanticizing ADHD as a personality trait can overshadow the serious struggles people with the condition face. Online Conversations Need More Nuance: Creators should balance authenticity with responsibility, ensuring that personal experiences are clearly distinguished from clinical advice to prevent misinformation. — Want more Priyanka Patel: Instagram & Tik Tok: @littlemiss_adhd Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we sit down with genetic counselor Julia Castro to demystify the world of genetic testing and counseling. They explore how genetic information can help (or sometimes confuse) patients, why more testing isn't always better, and the ethical dilemmas of knowing too much about your future health. Takeaways: Genetic Counseling is More Than Just Testing: It’s about helping patients navigate uncertainty, understand their risks, and make informed decisions about their health and their families. More Testing Isn’t Always Better: Sometimes broad genetic screening raises more questions than answers, creating unnecessary anxiety without clear clinical benefits. Genetics in Psychiatry is Evolving: While tests like pharmacogenetics panels claim to predict medication responses, their real-world usefulness is still debated in psychiatry. Knowing Your Genetic Risks Can Be Empowering—But Also Overwhelming: Predictive genetic testing for diseases like Alzheimer’s or Huntington’s can help some people plan for the future, but for others, it may cause unnecessary distress. The Future of Genetics in Medicine is Expanding Fast: As research grows, neurology, psychiatry, and genetic counseling will continue to overlap, helping doctors and patients make more personalized healthcare decisions. — Want more Dr. Julia Castro: Instagram: @julia_mariec Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Preston and Margaret explore the endocannabinoid system, cannabis, and its impact on mental health. They break down the science behind CB1 and CB2 receptors, explain why marijuana affects people so differently, and discuss the complex relationship between THC, CBD, and dopamine. Along the way, they tackle myths about cannabis use, addiction, and medical marijuana, shedding light on what we actually know—and what remains a mystery due to historical barriers to research. Takeaways: The Endocannabinoid System is Vast and Mysterious: CB1 and CB2 receptors exist throughout the body, influencing pain, pleasure, nausea, and more—but the full scope of their role remains unclear. Marijuana’s Effects Depend on the User: Some people experience relaxation and appetite stimulation, while others develop anxiety, paranoia, or even worsening nausea with chronic use. The THC-to-CBD Ratio Matters: Over time, cannabis strains have been bred to increase THC potency, which may contribute to heightened psychiatric risks, including psychosis. Cannabis Can Have Severe Side Effects: Long-term use can lead to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS)—a condition causing severe nausea and vomiting—and may increase the risk of cannabis-induced psychosis in predisposed individuals. Medical Cannabis Outpaced the Research: While cannabis is now widely used for medical purposes, much of its effectiveness is anecdotal, and research on its long-term mental health impacts is still catching up. — Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Preston and Margaret are joined by Dr. David Roberts to explore the fascinating world of motivational interviewing (MI)—a counseling technique designed to help patients navigate ambivalence and commit to meaningful change. Dr. Roberts shares insights from his years of experience training psychiatrists and therapists, breaking down MI into practical techniques that anyone can use to foster deeper, more effective conversations. We even do a fake therapy session with our producer Aron Korney! Takeaways: Motivational Interviewing Bridges Ambivalence: MI helps people resolve mixed feelings about change by guiding them to articulate their own reasons for making a shift. Change Talk Sparks Action: Encouraging patients to express their desire, ability, reasons, and need for change strengthens their motivation to take action. Reflections Deepen Understanding: Simple and complex reflections help mirror a patient’s thoughts and feelings, making them feel heard while subtly guiding them toward insight. Pacing Matters: Being too directive can lead to resistance, while being too passive may feel ineffective—MI teaches a balanced approach that fosters real conversations. Practice Makes Progress: MI is a learnable skill that improves with intentional practice, making difficult conversations about change smoother and more effective over time. — Want more Dr. David Roberts: https://providers.uthscsa.edu/providers/david-l-roberts-1255650917/ Want more Aron Korney: Human Values Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/human-values/id1622760459 Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Preston and Margaret welcome their first guest, neurosurgeon and content creator Dr. Betsy Grunch (aka Lady Spine Doc), for a deep dive into pain—how we treat it, how we misunderstand it, and how the system often fails those who experience it. Takeaways: Pain Is Not Just Physical: Chronic pain isn’t just about physical damage—it involves neurological, psychological, and emotional factors that make treatment complex. Back Surgery Isn’t Always the Answer: Failed back surgery syndrome is common, often because patients receive the wrong procedure or aren’t properly prepared for surgery. Empathy Improves Patient Outcomes: Research shows that patients who feel heard and understood by their doctors have better surgical and pain management outcomes. Social Media Shapes Medical Conversations: Platforms like TikTok have transformed how patients and doctors discuss pain, sometimes for better—but also with risks of misinformation. Medical Training Can Be Dehumanizing: The culture of surgery often discourages emotional connection, but rediscovering empathy is key to being a great physician. — Want more Dr. Betsy Grunch: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ladyspinedoc?_t=8rhZfY7LgLe&_r=1 Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ladyspinedoc Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ladyspinedoc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladyspinedoc YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ladyspinedoc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drgrunch Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/ladyspinedoc Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Citations: Chapters 1.16 and 27.15. Sadock, Benjamin J, et al. Kaplan & Sadock’s Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Wolters Kluwer, 2025. Oliveira CB, Maher CG, Pinto RZ, Traeger AC, Lin CC, Chenot JF, van Tulder M, Koes BW. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of non-specific low back pain in primary care: an updated overview. Eur Spine J. 2018 Nov;27(11):2791-2803. doi: 10.1007/s00586-018-5673-2. Epub 2018 Jul 3. PMID: 29971708. Stanford Center for Chronic Pain and American Chronic Pain Association Guide. https://www.acpanow.com/acpa-stanford-guide.html#/ George SZ, Fritz JM, Silfies SP, Schneider MJ, Beneciuk JM, Lentz TA, Gilliam JR, Hendren S, Norman KS. Interventions for the Management of Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Revision 2021. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021 Nov;51(11):CPG1-CPG60. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2021.0304. PMID: 34719942; PMCID: PMC10508241. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30265840/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK219252/#:~:text=Pain%20is%20a%20subjective%20experience,relieving%20or%20terminating%20the%20experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Preston and Margaret take a deep dive into the complex relationship between exercise and mental health. They discuss the science behind how movement impacts the brain, debunk common myths about fitness, and explore the psychological barriers that prevent people from incorporating exercise into their lives. Takeaways: Exercise Impacts Mental Health Bi-Directionally: Movement not only improves mental health, but mental health conditions can also act as barriers to engaging in exercise. Fitness Advice Often Lacks Specificity: Many healthcare providers acknowledge the benefits of exercise but rarely provide concrete strategies to help patients incorporate it into their lives. Movement Should Be Enjoyable: Finding a form of exercise that brings joy—whether it's dancing, hiking, or lifting—makes it easier to sustain and integrate into daily life. Setting Small, Achievable Goals is Key: Utilizing SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) can help create consistency without overwhelming pressure. Exercise Isn't Just About Weight: Shifting the focus from aesthetics to function, strength, and mental well-being can create a healthier and more sustainable relationship with movement. — Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Preston and Margaret tackle one of the most talked-about topics in mental health today—ADHD. From the historical roots of the diagnosis to the impact of modern social media trends, they explore how our understanding of ADHD has evolved over time. They discuss the challenges of diagnosing ADHD in both children and adults, the role of social media in spreading information (and misinformation), and the real-life impact of the disorder. Takeaways: ADHD Has Deep Historical Roots: The first observations of ADHD-like symptoms date back to the 1930s, when stimulants were found to improve focus in children originally treated for other conditions. Diagnosis Isn’t Always Simple: ADHD symptoms can overlap with anxiety, depression, and other conditions, making proper evaluation and history-taking crucial for an accurate diagnosis. Social Media: Help or Hinderance? While platforms like TikTok can offer community and validation, they can also contribute to misinformation and oversimplified self-diagnoses. Early Treatment Matters: Research shows that children who receive appropriate ADHD treatment, including medication, often have better long-term outcomes and lower rates of substance use. ADHD Is More Than Inattention: The condition impacts executive functioning, emotional regulation, and impulse control, which can affect relationships, careers, and daily life beyond just focusing. — Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Preston and Margaret explore the complex concept of rapport in healthcare. They reflect on the challenges of building meaningful connections with patients and the impact these relationships have on medical outcomes. From awkward early encounters in medical school to techniques they've developed as psychiatry residents, this episode unpacks what it means to truly connect. Takeaways: Rapport Is More Than Liking: Building rapport isn’t just about being liked; it’s about creating trust, safety, and understanding between clinician and patient. Authenticity Matters: Patients respond to doctors who show up as their authentic selves. Balancing professionalism with humanity is key to trust-building. Rapport Shapes Outcomes: Research shows that strong patient-clinician relationships lead to better health outcomes, regardless of the treatment modality used. Tailor Your Approach: Building rapport requires adapting to each patient’s unique personality and background. What works for one patient may not work for another. Empathy Is a Skill: Empathy takes practice, energy, and intentionality. It's not about agreeing with patients, but about understanding them deeply. — Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Preston and Margaret embrace the season with a deep dive into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). From the science behind melatonin and serotonin to the cultural and emotional frameworks that shape how we experience winter, this episode covers the biopsychosocial dynamics of seasonal depression. Along the way, they share personal anecdotes, including the surprising benefits of light therapy and reframing winter as an opportunity for growth. Takeaways: Light is Power: Exposure to light regulates circadian rhythms and can significantly impact mood. Tools like light therapy boxes are clinically proven to combat seasonal depression. Medication Matters: SSRIs, bupropion, and melatonin agonists like agomelatine are effective treatments for SAD, with some meds even preventing symptoms when started early. Embrace Behavioral Activation: Joining activities like winter sports or social groups can create accountability and help maintain mental health during darker months. Reframe the Season: Viewing winter as a time for creativity, community, or solitude can transform it into a meaningful and enriching period. Self-Compassion is Key: Feeling tired or less motivated during winter is normal. Practicing self-compassion and acknowledging seasonal changes can reduce guilt and promote well-being. — Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Preston and Margaret dive into the science and personal experiences surrounding attachment theory. They discuss its origins, its modern-day interpretations, and how it shows up in everyday relationships. Takeaways: Attachment is Dynamic: Attachment theory isn’t a fixed diagnosis—it’s a lens to understand how people relate to others and themselves. Repair Builds Resilience: Healthy relationships are not conflict-free but can recover from disagreements and grow stronger. Pop Psych Oversimplifies: Modern discussions about attachment styles often miss the nuance and flexibility inherent in these frameworks. Therapy is Practice: Therapy can rewire attachment patterns by creating safe spaces for emotional repair and connection. Humor as a Shield: Humor can be a tool for connection but also a way to avoid vulnerability—knowing the difference matters. — Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this debut episode of How to Be Patient, psychiatry residents Preston Roche and Margaret Duncan open up about their personal journeys into medicine and the challenges they’ve faced in connecting with patients—and themselves. From navigating early patient interactions to grappling with their own vulnerabilities, they explore the balance between authenticity and professionalism. With humor, candid storytelling, and a dash of introspection, this episode sets the stage for a season of thoughtful discussions on empathy, growth, and the art of being present in healthcare. Get ready for the tale of two doctors! Takeaways: Empathy is a Skill: You don’t have to be born with it—learning how to connect with patients can happen over time and with practice. Authenticity Matters: Medicine isn’t about pretending to be perfect; it’s about finding a way to unify your personal identity with your professional role. Vulnerability is Strength: Struggles, failures, and even embarrassing moments can be powerful tools for connecting with others. Creativity Fuels Resilience: Exploring hobbies and personal interests, like Margaret’s Bad Art Every Day project, can help you stay grounded during stressful times. Reflection Unlocks Growth: To truly understand and support patients, start by looking inward and understanding your own emotions and biases — Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s finally time to address our professional relationships with mental health treatment in a clear, calm, and professional manner.  It’s time that practitioners start to better understand ourselves, our patients, and our parallel journeys to address mental health struggles in this highly unpredictable cultural climate.  It’s time a podcast trailer presented a plan to constructively explore professional development for psychiatric professionals. Perhaps, in the form of a polished audio trailer! We sure think so. Unfortunately, you’ll have to look elsewhere. — Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Produced by: Human Content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices