Category:

Psychiatry

Rain, Rain, Go Away

{Moments before it started pouring in Seattle}

Around this time of year, I’m used to sunny skies and stocking up on colorful spring dresses. Unfortunately, the weather in the Northwest is keeping me glued to my winter coat and lounging indoors to avoid the rain. Many living in the Northwest (or anywhere with minimal sunshine) have a deficiency in Vitamin D, which your body makes after exposure to sufficient sunlight and has been shown to have a link to depression. Vitamin D can be detected by a simple blood test, and if low can be treated by supplements available over the counter. So, if you’re living in the dark (like me) and can’t make it to Hawaii anytime soon, try some Vitamin D until your next flight out or the sun breaks through the rain clouds…whichever comes first.

For more info on Vitamin D and depression, check out this link http://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20080505/depressed-older-adults-lack-vitamin-d

April 13, 2010 0 comment

Psychiatry therapy

Sister Act

written by freudandfashion

As kids, everyone thought my sister and I looked like twins. We still look somewhat alike and our voices sound similar with the same hint of valley-girl twang. Therefore, it’s no wonder that we share an interest in Psychology and ended up pursuing careers in mental health. When my sister decided to get her Masters degree in Marriage & Family Therapy, I immediately envisioned having an office together and referring clients to one another. Though we live in different states, I have her number on speed dial in case I’m in need of quick consultations on difficult patients. A knowledgeable psychiatrist might have the power to prescribe medications, but an intuitive psychotherapist has the ability to change the way a person thinks and views life. The effects of medications can only go so far. But, the combination of both meds and psychotherapy can more effectively improve the lives of many…

March 29, 2010 5 comments

Fashion Psychiatry

Time Crazy

written by freudandfashion

Skagen Rose Gold $115

My fashion obsession this week focused on stylish timepieces. Perhaps the wear and tear of my current watch became more apparent as I would nonchalantly and discretely attempt to glance at the time during long appointments last week. I’m a pretty anxious person and have somehow managed to break the habit of constantly being tardy (flashback to the day I failed my Honors English final for being 30 seconds late). Mission accomplished to find a summery men’s watch and a moderately feminine, yet simple watch for work. Affordable, yet noticeable…at least until I pay off my med school loans.

March 26, 2010 2 comments

Psychiatry

Psychopath?

written by freudandfashion

Is it possible to predict who will become a serial killer? It’s a chilling subject, especially for someone like me who hates horror movies and refuses to watch one second of Friday the 13th. Today, I gave a presentation on Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder in children & adolescents (which are childhood disorders that can progress to Antisocial Personality Disorder and the feared Sociopath/Psychopath) when my fellow Psychiatry resident mentioned the “MacDonald Triad. ” I’ve never heard of the triad, but I was pleasantly disturbed to learn something new. Apparently, the triad links 3 behavioral characteristics in childhood as predictors of criminal, homicidal behavior in adulthood: animal cruelty, obsession with fire setting, and persistent bedwetting past the age of five. With the help of Google, I found that contract killer Richard “The Iceman” Kuklinski and serial killer Dennis Rader posessed some of these characteristics. Well, I can confidently say that I don’t fit the link nor do I know anyone who does. But then again, I don’t go around asking friends if they have a long history of peeing in bed.

March 25, 2010 1 comment

Psychiatry therapy

Analyze This

written by freudandfashion

Everyone has something they’re thankful for. I spent the week struggling to help patients find the tiniest glimmer of hope…a reason worth living even when death seemed like the only option. Medical school doesn’t teach you the art of psychotherapy, so I found myself extremely overwhelmed compared to times when I cared for patients experiencing a heart attack or stroke. But, after a tough yet rewarding week of analyzing my patients’ lives, I realize I have to analyze myself. I need to acknowledge my own fears and unresolved issues (otherwise, it may interfere with my patients’ therapy), which can be a scary thing for anyone. No wonder so many mental health professionals have their own therapist. Cheers to a relaxing weekend of self-reflection!

March 20, 2010 5 comments

Psychiatry therapy

Sleep It Off

written by freudandfashion

I consider myself a morning person. I woke up at 12:30pm today, which is ridiculously late for me. My checklist of things to accomplish has not been touched because I missed the morning window to begin my tasks, and therefore feel lazy, tired, and moody. Even as I write this post (it’s 6pm), I’m laying on my couch watching my 4th rerun of “Man vs Food” and attempting to muster enough energy to go to the grocery store.

Which brings me to an important question: “How is your sleep?” I ask each of my patients this question since sleep has such a profound effect on mood. In addition to offering medications for insomnia (if necessary), I educate my patients on the importance of “sleep hygiene.” Sleep Hygiene consists of healthy habits one can develop in order to routinely sleep well, which includes the following:

1. Sleep only when sleepy – this reduces the time you’re awake in bed.

2. If you can’t fall asleep within 20 mins., get up and do something boring until you feel sleepy. (do a low stimulating activity such as readying something boring, etc., but be sure to avoid bright light)

3. Don’t take naps.

4. Get up and go to bed the same time every day (Even on weekends! I know this is hard, especially after a ridiculously tough week at work)

5. Refrain from exercise at least 4 hrs before bedtime.

6. Develop sleep rituals. (give your body cues that it’s time to slow down & sleep – listen to relaxing music, have a cup of tea, etc.)

7. Only use your bed for the 2 “S’s” — Sleep and Sex. (no work, reading, watching tv, doing bills, etc).

8. Stay away from caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol at least 4-6 hrs before bed.

9. Have a light snack before bed. (if an empty stomach interferes with your sleep)

10. Make sure your bed and bedroom are quiet and comfortable. (I love the peaceful quality of neutral tones with pops of black and muted blue in the bedroom below)

For more on sleep hygiene, you can check out this link http://www.sleepeducation.com/Hygiene.aspx. Typing this post made me realize how lazy I’ve been all day, so now I’m off to buy food! And time to take my own advice and head to bed by 11pm (instead of 4am like the night before).

March 15, 2010 4 comments

Psychiatry therapy Travel

Know Your Roots

written by freudandfashion

My last minute 4.5 day stay in the Philippines last week was way too short but couldn’t have been more perfect. Instead of partaking in the usual treks to white sandy beaches and attractive city sites, we remained in the provincial town where my amazing grandparents raised their 11 children. I found excitement in riding a tricycle to my grandparents’ farm, appreciation for late night gatherings in a courtyard beneath the stars, and indulgence in homecooked meals. There’s something comforting, humbling, and therapeutic about the simplicity of country life, especially when there’s members of 4 generations to share it with you.

{Waking up to the sound of roosters crowing at 5am}

{the liberating feeling of not wearing makeup when the standard look is Au Naturale!}

{appreciation for unique public transportation…the infamous Jeepney}

{paying respect to loved ones deeply missed}

{the joy of being called to a table of delicious Philippine cuisine}

{I’m in one of my Vegetarian phases, so my fave is fresh broiled catfish dipped in a mixture of salted shrimp paste, freshly squeezed kalamansi juice, & chopped red chillies. I also constantly crave the bottom left dish–who knew sliced, sour green mangoes dipped in a salted, lightly fried shrimp paste made such a yummy combination?!}

March 10, 2010 2 comments

Psychiatry therapy Travel

Family First

written by freudandfashion

No matter how bitchy, snappy, stressed, and irritable I can get as result of the often brutal, mental, and physical demands of residency, the one thing I can always count on is family. Doctors dedicate their lives to caring for others that sometimes work takes priority over family, friends, and our own well-being. I’ve missed fabulous weddings, warm holiday gatherings, inspirational graduations, and lovely funerals, to name a few sacrifices made for the sake of my occupation. Instead of regret, my advice to anyone so heavily immersed in work is to take a moment and remember what’s most important in their lives. For me, I choose family. So as I pack for a last minute trip to the Philippines, I recall the memory of my role model and the reason I became a doctor, my grandfather. And during the 14-hour flight tomorrow, I’ll anticipate a long overdue reunion with my grandmother, which has thus far been postponed as a result of work. No more guilt…no more regrets.

My favorite picture of my beloved grandfather

My beautiful grandmother

February 27, 2010 3 comments

Fashion Psychiatry therapy Travel

To eat, or not to eat?

written by freudandfashion

Los Angeles…home of the trendy, superficial, and fit. Last week I was on vacation and spent the week back home in southern California. In preparation for my trip, I packed my most stylish outfits and made reservations for the most trendy, new restaurants in Hollywood. I spent the first day back with my boyfriend out in Beverly Hills and made a goal to have my favorite Sprinkles or Crumbs cupcakes. It wasn’t until I noticed the presence of tall, model-esque girls at my every turn that I changed my mind about indulging in decadent desserts. Later that night, my mood turned from excited and confident to irritable and self-conscious. I tried on the cute outfits I had packed and felt horrible when I looked in the mirror. I have a BMI in the normal range, yet I felt moderately obese compared to those girls. I was reminded of feelings growing up in southern CA at the age of 7, when I first began to diet and count calories. Now that I look back, I realize that I met criteria for a nonspecified eating disorder, considering that I lost significant amounts of weight eating only lettuce and water for weeks at a time. At the young age of 7, I believed I was fat even though my weight was considered normal.

Tormenting myself recently about not being 5’10” and a size 0 lasted only a few days. Overall, I feel happy about my temporary loss of self-esteem. I’ve treated a few patients with eating disorders and can’t help but relate my experiences to theirs. An estimated 1 to 2 million women in the United States meet criteria for bulimia nervosa; 500,000 women meet diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa. More males are also seeking treatment of eating disorders now compared to the 1980s. A number of factors (biological and psychological) are noted to be associated with the disorders, including preoccupations with a thin body and social pressures about weight.

I tell myself and my patients to eat healthy, but that it’s okay to give in to small indulgences (a small piece of dark chocolate after dinner, a cup of frozen yogurt for snack, etc) once in awhile. So, after a run through Santa Monica Blvd., I took my own advice and walked to Crumbs in Beverly Hills. I ate half of my lemon cupcake and felt both confident and guilt-free as I walked passed the skinny fashionistas on Rodeo Drive.

the remaining half of my delicious Crumbs “Cupcake of the Week”

the gorgeous lobby of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel

February 22, 2010 2 comments

Psychiatry therapy Uncategorized

Run!…or take an Antidepressant?

written by freudandfashion

I hate running. I’m one of those people who end up tachypneic after running 2 minutes and would much rather sit on the couch eating chips and watching “Man vs Food” reruns. I’m from so-cal where running seems scarce in the city, but when I moved to Oregon, I saw everyone and their grandmothers running down each street I drove. As soon as the dark, rainy season came around, I discovered the reason why…

I’m used to sunny days and am normally a happy, smiley person, but the short and rainy days made me feel pretty miserable. I started staying home more often, socialized less, and got upset easily. I admit that I watch a lot of tv, but it wasn’t until I started watching “For the Love of Ray J” (no offense to those who like that show) that I knew I’d reached a new low. I talked to my fellow resident and he suggested running especially since studies have shown that running can work just as well as an antidepressant (check out an article below from 2008). So…I got my butt off the couch, bought a new pair of running shoes, and started running. It wasn’t easy. But, I have to admit– I feel ten times better.

Tip of the Day: Run, run, run!

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/DepressionNews/story?id=5627302&page=1

February 2, 2010 4 comments