Category:

Featured

Upcoming Conference Alert! Psych Congress 2019

This post is sponsored by Psych Congress.

Psych Congress 2019 has an amazing lineup of talks/speakers!

‘What to do when an antidepressant is effective, but your patient has sexual dysfunction’ and ‘Top 5 issues clinicians should know about ketamine therapy’ — these are just a few of the talks I plan to attend at the upcoming Psych Congress annual conference (Oct. 3-6 in San Diego). Psychiatry is truly a fascinating and evolving field, so it’s important to stay up to date with the latest research, innovations, and treatment strategies!

Here’s a couple more interesting talks I’ve circled on the conference schedule (just to name a few):

CBD, A Scientific and rational examination of its risks & benefits in psychiatry.

Is Bipolar Disorder under-diagnosed or over-diagnosed?

Stimulant Use Disorder, Clinical Issues and treatment challenges.

Perinatal Psychopharmacology.
Opioid Overdoses & Addiction, Recent Advances in Treatment & Prevention.

If there’s any topics you’re interested in learning more about, drop a comment below & I’ll be sure to share what I learn in a future post!

Also, if you’re interested in attending, be sure to click here and register! Hope to meet and see some of you there!

September 25, 2019 0 comment

Featured

The Impact of Meaningful Connections

written by freudandfashion

This post was sponsored by Hallmark. I recently partnered with them in coordination with a recent survey.

Strong personal connections and relationships are an important component of our mental health and wellbeing. Though many of us rely on social media to communicate with others, stay up to date with news and other people’s lives, our use of social media can actually cause us to feel lonelier. Research has linked social media use to increased anxiety and loneliness and according to a recent survey conducted by Hallmark, people are craving more authentic, meaningful connections that social media cannot match.

Even as a psychiatrist with several followers on social media, I’ve experienced the negative impact of social media linked to excess use (increased anxiety, insomnia, loneliness, decreased self-esteem as a result of comparing myself to others), but was able to reduce these feelings through a social media detox. During a social media detox (in which you would disconnect from your smartphone/social media for any duration of time needed to reduce/heal any negative emotions associated with it) we are able to focus less on our social media connections and more on strengthening existing relationships we have outside of the digital world. Strong social support and connections are linked to increased happiness.

So, what are some ideas of things we can do to strengthen a relationship? Well, pretty much any gesture that goes above and beyond to show that we really care can make a difference. For example, making a phone call to check in or catch up, inviting a friend out for coffee or lunch, go for a walk with a coworker during break, send a note or greeting card to someone meaningful in your life “just because.”

The study by Hallmark found the following interesting results on the impact of more authentic, meaningful connections:

Millennials, compared to other age groups, are more likely to find greeting cards especially meaningful and said they are more likely to feel noticed when they receive a card.
Though most of us tend to send cards only on holidays or a special occasion, consumers said receiving a card “just because” is more meaningful than for any occasion.
Consumers agree that greeting cards help them express themselves when they cannot find the words to do so, and prefer a card over a text with the same message.

It has been awhile since I received a card “just because,” though I can vividly remember receiving one from my college roommate in which she wrote that she was thankful to have me as a friend (Nuny, if you’re reading this — thank you, I kept your card for years!).

When was the last time YOU sent or received a card “just because?” If you think of someone special in your life, whether a friend or family member you haven’t seen in awhile, consider sending them a card and see what happens.

Graphics by Hallmark; PC: @artwuro

September 15, 2019 0 comment

Featured

“Wedding Planning Anxiety Is Real. Here Are 5 Ways to Cope”

written by freudandfashion

I was never one who dreamed about having the most perfect, magical wedding, so I assumed wedding planning would be a breeze once the time came. But, I was wrong. And I’m sure many of you can relate because anxiety related to wedding planning is actually a common experience. Now that I’m currently in the midst of planning my own wedding, I realize that even as a psychiatrist knowledgeable of various techniques and ways to cope, the process comes with various anxiety triggers. For example, wedding planning may bring up issues related to the following: complex family dynamics, issues with communication, struggles with perfectionism, time management, financial issues, and the list goes on.

In addition, we may find that wedding planning tests our abilities to cope with anxiety. As someone who had seen a therapist for several years, this process has motivated me to recall the skills I learned from my therapist, reflect on my training as a psychiatrist, and utilize the therapy techniques that I regularly share with my patients. So check out the article I wrote for Healthline HERE for tips on how to cope with wedding planning anxiety, which can most definitely be applied to daily life as well!

—

As of 2023, I have begun working as the CMO of a new startup centered around wellness and mental health called Murror. Check us out!

March 29, 2019 0 comment

Featured

“Going To Therapy as a Psychiatrist Didn’t Just Help me. It Helped My Patients.”

written by freudandfashion

When I decided to pursue a career as a psychiatrist during medical school, I never fathomed that I would have to address my own mental health. After all, as a physician I’m supposed to help others, but not the other way around right?

When we consider the stigma of mental health, in some ways it’s starting to improve as people start to become more open to share their mental health struggles. However, I come from two backgrounds where the stigma of mental health remains quite high — first, culturally as a minority woman, and second, as a physician where fear exists in regards to potential negative consequences of seeking treatment.

Yet, despite the stigma, I grew to discover the significant, life-changing impact that seeking support from a therapist can have. And I know many of you out there have had similar experiences, or perhaps have contemplated making an appointment, but are hesitant due to the stigma (trust me, I know how you feel).

Check out the article I wrote for Healthline HERE to read more about why I sought therapy and how the experience of seeing a therapist made me a better person and ultimately, a better psychiatrist for my patients.

January 23, 2019 0 comment

Featured

Video: A Psychiatrist Goes To Therapy

written by admin

(SEE VIDEO BELOW)

Not many people talk about being in therapy, but as a psychiatrist, it’s my goal to break the stigma of seeing a therapist because it can be an amazing source of support. In this quick video, I talk about my therapy journey and how it has helped me grow into the person and physician that I am today.

Note: I originally created this video for my IGTV on my Instagram (@freudandfashion), so I apologize for the quality! Let me know your own thoughts about psychotherapy in the comments below! Thanks for watching.

September 30, 2018 1 comment

Featured

Tips To Get Through Valentine’s Day With More Self-Love

written by freudandfashion

The journey to incorporate more self-care can be tough, especially during a holiday known for spending and splurging on a significant other. Since I’ve written several blogposts on tips to survive Valentine’s Day (here & here), I decided to do something different and instead ask my wonderful social media friends/followers for some of their own tips to get through Valentine’s Day. And I was pleasantly surprised to find that each one consisted of more self-love and expression of love towards family members and close friends. The following is a list of their personal tips to make it a special day full of fun, love, and self-care:

1. Treat Yo Self

“Have an entire ‘treat yo self day.’ Think of your favorite meal and go eat it and do an activity you’ve been dying to try.” ~ @studentdoctornas

“I remind myself it’s just like any other day, but I buy myself two bouquets of flower and sometimes I take myself out to eat. But this year, it’s mid-week, so I don’t even care lol.” ~ Anonymous

2. Avoid Social Media

“…because you’ll probably make yourself miserable and jealous (been there done that) or take time to celebrate your love for your friends (Galentine’s Day, for example) or find solace in other single people who just want to have some company too!” ~ @abbyoooooo

3. Celebrate Galentine’s Day

“Doing stupid things with friends! Pick something you haven’t done before (new hiking spot, new dish to make, new movie to watch) and let yourselves have sad time (if needed), then laugh at silly penis jokes like a group of 5 year olds.” ~ @ashtstc

“…Have a get together with your gals that night – it’s super fun and you can talk about The Bachelor. Make it a potluck! It’s about self-care and also spreading love with your friends (doesn’t just have to be your spouse/boyfriend).” ~ @aroraborealis_

“Having a Galentine’s Day with my favorite girlfriends and enjoying each other’s friendship with good food and treats! Always fun to show friends how much I love them and to make EVERYONE feel loved and included!” ~ @scarvesandsweets

“Spend time with your single gal pals! Preferably going to watch a movie or having dinner. It’s not the best idea to meet up to talk about how “it’s terrible to be single.” Embrace the time you have to grow and learn more about yourself!” ~ @chasingmomentsphotoco

4. Celebrate What You’re Passionate About (with those who share the same passion)

“On Valentine’s Day I usually follow my regular routine (classes, studying), but this year I actually decided to meet some friends who are also practicing medicine. And we’re going to get ready and go out because medicine is romantic to us and we love it. There’s a bigger picture to it — Yes, it’s romantic for couples, but it’s also romantic for people who carry a greater passion for other things they love!” ~ @neuroskeptic

5. Volunteer Your Time To Help Others

“One of my best memories when I was single was to spend Valentine’s Day volunteering at a woman’s shelter or a nursing home to help those who may not always get the love and attention they deserve.” ~ @phportfolio

“Do something special for a stranger! I try to donate my hair to Locks of Love or Beautiful Lengths!” ~ @joannab2789

6. Don’t Wait For Flowers, Just Ask For It!

“I asked my dad to bring me flowers on Valentine’s Day.” ~ @thalia_kay

7. Celebrate Love That Already Exists Rather Than Pining For Something More

“I’m celebrating love in my life as it exists! Not romantic love, but love for friends, love for my puppy, etc.” ~ Anonymous

“My friends and I are getting all dressed up, eating cookies and pizza, and playing games together to celebrate our friendship and singleness. I think it’s a good way to turn Valentine’s Day into something you look forward to as a single person!” ~ @purcella92

8. Celebrate On A Budget

“We don’t do anything different than any other night. One year we bought a heart-shaped pizza, but we were already getting pizza anyway. Maybe it’s because we’re poor students/paying off loans, but we just don’t spend money on it. We buy discount chocolate afterwards!” ~ @portcitycaitlin

9. Make It A Positive Holiday, Even After A Divorce

“The first Valentine’s Day after my divorce I decided to make it a celebration of love in general, so I invited friends, both single and couples, to go celebrate our friendship. We went out for drinks, played pool, and had dinner. It was one of the best Valentine’s Days that I can recall! Key is to be grateful for who and what you do have in your life, so don’t focus on the negativity and sadness.” ~ @serratos114

10. Change Your Perspective

“It’s all about perspective. Dates like Valentine’s Day can seem like deadlines to meet and when you haven’t found your soulmate by the 14th, that can be unnecessarily rough! I don’t look at Valentine’s Day as a day for just relationships. It’s a day for all the people who you love and care for. I use the holiday to show appreciation to friends and family. That change in perspective has made a positive difference for me.” ~ @chrisrivi

If you’d like to add your own tips for Valentine’s Day, leave a comment below! And cheers to more self-care!

February 14, 2018 2 comments