Tag:

mental health

“Debunking 5 Common Misconceptions About ADHD”

The general public’s perception of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) isn’t exactly a positive one, which is unfortunate because people who truly struggle with ADHD often feel misunderstood and wrongly judged. I often hear statements such as “ADHD isn’t real” and “ADHD is an excuse for laziness” and feel the need to defend people with ADHD right away because, for the most part, nobody really knows the extent of the struggles of ADHD, unless you have it or are close to someone who does.

Last month was Mental Health Awareness Month, but we must keep the conversations going to break stigma. And one important step is to better understand the mental health struggles that many of us experience, so check out my article here on Healthline as I debunk 5 common misconceptions about ADHD!

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As of 2023, I am now working as the CMO of Murror. Check us out!

June 15, 2019 0 comment

Psychiatry

“Take Charge of Your Mental Health with these 5 Advocacy Tips”

written by freudandfashion

Advocating for our health can be difficult, especially when it comes to advocating for our mental health. I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed with information and afraid to ask questions at various appointments where we rely on the expertise of professionals, and sometimes I see the same confused looks on my patients’ faces, which is why I always ask if they have questions. I often praise my patients for advocating for themselves in their treatment because I know it’s not easy, which is why I wanted to share my tips on ways you can take charge of your own mental health & wellbeing when meeting with your doctor and other healthcare professionals. From coming prepared with a list of questions to bringing along a family member, my tips may ease your anxiety the next time you have a mental health concern you wish to share with your doctor. Check out my five tips for advocating for your mental health here on Healthline!

May 1, 2019 0 comment

Psychiatry

“5 Things To Know Before Attending Your First Psychiatry Appointment”

written by freudandfashion

Seeing a psychiatrist for the first time can feel really stressful, especially if you’re not sure what to expect or had bad experiences seeing psychiatrists in the past. It’s quite common for patients to feel really nervous seeing a doctor (White Coat Syndrome, for example), so I can imagine how much more anxiety-inducing it would feel to see a psychiatrist, especially since more personal questions about your history are likely to come up. After the first appointment, my new patients often tell me how anxious they were leading up to the appointment and how long they’ve been putting off seeing a psychiatrist out of fear.

Your mental health is extremely important, so I hope that anxiety won’t get in the way of you receiving the treatment and support that you deserve. Knowing what to expect during your first appointment might alleviate some of this stress, so check out the article I wrote for Healthline HERE on things to know before attending your first psychiatry appointment!

February 26, 2019 0 comment

Psychiatry

The Columbia Conference on Mental Health Journalism & Media

written by freudandfashion

I was truly honored to participate as a panelist at this groundbreaking conference held by the Columbia Journalism School and Columbia’s Department of Psychiatry. Being on a panel with an amazing group of innovative journalists and mental health clinicians has been one of the most memorable experiences of my career, and participating in a conference filled with so many inspiring leaders in media gives me much hope that the real life experiences and mental health struggles that many of us go through will be more accurately portrayed in the media, and ultimately shape the way the public perceives mental health for the better.

The panel I participated in was titled “Innovative Mental Health Journalism & Media” and you can view the recording here in the video below! Also, if you want to view the conference live stream in its entirety, you can watch it here.

February 14, 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

Psychiatry

Learn About Your Mental Health in 2 Quick Videos

written by admin

{with Dr. Kien Vuu}

One of the reasons I started blogging was to connect with like-minded individuals who were passionate about promoting mental health and ridding of the stigma associated with it. I was happy to connect with Dr. Kien Vuu, an interventional radiologist and professor of medicine at UCLA. Dr. Vuu has made it his mission to empower others to take control of their health through an integrative and holistic approach. Check out his website here to see how he actively engages with the public through his YouTube channel, media, The Live Again Project (nonprofit organization he founded to provide support for those affected by cancer), and other projects. And be sure to check out our two video collaborations below for some quick education (with a dose of humor) about mental health & psychiatry!

April 24, 2018 0 comment

Medicine Psychiatry

How Anxiety And Depression Can Affect Quality-of-Life in Endometriosis Patients

written by admin

Since March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, I’m excited that Dr. Tosin Odunsi-Akanji (Instagram: @lifebytosin), one of my fave physicians to follow on social media, took time out of her busy schedule to write a post to increase awareness of how the diagnosis can impact not only physical health, but also mental health.

________________________________________________

Imagine dreading a specific time of the month every month for 14 years. Imagine feeling like you’re being stabbed by hundreds of knives. That was me every time my time of the month paid me a visit. If I was able to, I would spend the first couple days in bed armed with ibuprofen and a heating pad. After a gastrointestinal workup in college came back normal, I figured the pain was normal and must be the cramps women complained about.

Eventually, I said something to my gynecologist and was placed on birth control pills without an interrogation of the pain. This helped bring the intensity of my chronic pain down from an 8/10 to a 4/10. I was more than okay with that. Fast forward to my third year of medical school when I was studying for my USMLE Step 2 Board Exam. One of the practice questions asked for a complication of endometriosis. The answer was ‘infertility.’ I immediately started crying because by this time I suspected this was what I had and I thought I would end up infertile. Soon after that, I was awakened from sleep with severe abdominal pain. I ended up having surgery and finally received a diagnosis of endometriosis.

What is endometriosis? It is a chronic disorder in which the tissue that forms the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) is found outside the uterus where it does not belong. These implants respond to changes in estrogen and may grow and bleed like the uterine lining does during the menstrual cycle. Surrounding tissue can become irritated, inflamed, and swollen which can cause severe pain throughout the month. The breakdown and bleeding of this tissue each month also can cause scar tissue, called adhesions, to form. Sometimes adhesions can cause organs to stick together. The bleeding, inflammation, and scarring can cause pain, especially before and during menstruation.

The most common clinical signs of endometriosis are menstrual irregularities, chronic pelvic pain (CPP), painful periods, painful intercourse, and infertility. Symptoms of endometriosis often affect psychological and social functioning of patients. For this reason, endometriosis can be considered as a disabling condition that may significantly interfere with social relationships, sexuality, and mental health. If this is the case, then an important area to consider is the impact of anxiety and depression on the management of women with endometriosis.

Several studies have been conducted to showcase the influence of CPP on psychological well-being and quality of life of women with endometriosis. Women with endometriosis have a higher risk of developing anxiety, depression, and other psychological symptoms, according to a review study published in the International Journal of Women’s Health. Data suggests that the experience of pelvic pain may significantly affect emotive functioning of affected women. Furthermore, high levels of anxiety and depression can amplify the severity of pain. Additional studies are needed to better understand the relationship between psychological factors and perception of pain.

Treatment of endometriosis may be hormonal or surgical. Surgery is the primary treatment for severe forms of endometriosis. There is not much data in the literature about the influence of psychological factors and psychiatric co-morbidities on the effectiveness of treatments. It is important to evaluate the presence of previous psychiatric diseases in order to select the most appropriate treatment for these patients.

Endometriosis affects roughly 10% of women of reproductive age. On average, endometriosis can take six to ten years to diagnose and three out of five women with endometriosis were told by at least one doctor that nothing was wrong. In my own experience with endometriosis, I did not have an answer for what was causing my pain for 14 years. It is not surprising that part of my life revolved around my menstrual cycle. March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Perhaps more attention can be paid to women who have psychiatric complaints in addition to CPP in order to better tailor treatment.

For more on Dr. Tosin Odunsi-Akanji, MD, MPH, you can find her on YouTube and Instagram.

References:

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Frequently Asked Questions.

https://www.acog.org/-/media/For-Patients/faq013.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20180320T1527594194

Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Endometriosis: Impact and Management Challenges

https://www.dovepress.com/anxiety-and-depression-in-patients-with-endometriosis-impact-and-manag-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-IJWH

SpeakEndo

https://www.speakendo.com

March 30, 2018 0 comment

Personal

I’m Back!

written by admin

{with a few of the wonderful medical students I met at OMED 2017}

Hi friends! I know it has been awhile since I last posted here, so here’s a quick update on what I’ve been up to:

I updated the look of my blog, but since I’m not as technologically savvy as I wish, it has taken me far longer than I thought to learn the ins & outs of this site. But aside from that, I hope you like the new look!
I’ve continued to post regularly on my other social media accounts, esp my Instagram, which has proven to be an amazing tool for networking. I’ve met amazing people and healthcare professionals whose ideals (about holistic health, wellness, and normalizing discussions surrounding mental health) align with mine, so stay tuned for upcoming collaborations (videos with Nurse Mendoza (see video below) is one example).
I have been blessed with invitations to speak at amazing conferences to discuss ‘burnout.’ It was an honor to be invited to speak at the Osteopathic Medical Education Conference 2017 (OMED) for the second year in a row, as well as having the opportunity to connect with pre-Health students while speaking at the MEDPEP 7th Annual Pre-Health Conference. Stay tuned for more speaking engagements this year!
I started seeing my therapist again earlier this year. Don’t worry – there’s no crisis, but I did feel there were several barriers getting in the way of me moving forward in my career ventures (coping with grief and loss was one of them). I’m doing much better now, and as you can see, jumping back into blogging is a sign of moving forward and getting back on track.

There’s more I’d like to update you on, but for now, I just wanted to express my gratitude to all of you for supporting my blog throughout the years and all my efforts to combat the stigma towards mental health. I’m so appreciative to all of my long-time readers and also a big ‘thank you’ & ‘welcome’ to all of my newer readers! If there’s any topic requests for future blogposts, please leave a comment below!

PS: upcoming blog posts this month = “How to cope with the stress of social media” & “How to get through Valentine’s Day”

{Quick tips for your mental health with Nurse Mendoza}

February 6, 2018 0 comment

Fashion Psychiatry

How A Determined Schizophrenic Woman From NYC Is Breaking Stigma About Mental Illness

written by freudandfashion

{Schizophrenic.NYC buttons, bracelets, stickers}

In just a little over a year since I last interviewed Michelle Hammer (founder of Schizophrenic.NYC, a clothing line aimed at promoting mental health awareness), her company and mission have gained an exponential amount of support from the media and community. Since hundreds of thousands of people with schizophrenia are living on the streets, Michelle’s clothing line donates a portion of its profits to organizations that help the mentally ill homeless population of New York City. Being diagnosed with schizophrenia herself, Michelle demonstrates that people with schizophrenia can succeed, have a career, and live a normal life. She breaks stereotypes about a diagnosis highly stigmatized. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to catch up with Michelle to get an update on Schizophrenic.NYC and her thoughts on living with mental illness:

1. It has been over a year since I last interviewed you on my blog. What would you say has been your biggest accomplishment in the last year?

I would have to say that I have accomplished a lot in the past year, but what I have accomplished the most is changing the way people view mental health and how they respond to it. I’ve talked to many people at my pop-up shops about the mental health issues in NYC as well as across the country. People always seem surprised when I tell them the statistic in NYC is that 1 in 5 New Yorkers have a mental health issue. When people hear that they now understand that mental illness is so much more common than what they originally thought. Also, many people that I know are now much more comfortable about talking about their own mental health struggles. I have had people tell me that, because of me and my openness, they now feel more open to discuss their issues with their family and friends. If everyone would be more open, then more people can see how common mental health issues really are in society.

2. Congratulations on being featured on numerous renowned news platforms such as Buzzfeed and Daily Mail! It’s a testament to how much heart and hard work you put into growing Schizophrenic.NYC and spreading your mission. What do you think it is about Schizophrenic.NYC that the media is most drawn to?

I am so grateful to have been featured in such awesome publications as Buzzfeed, The Daily Mail, and Mashable. I think people are drawn to Schizophrenic.NYC because it was started by me, a girl with schizophrenia, who wants to change the way society sees mental health. It’s often thought that people with schizophrenia cannot build their own business, or work any type of “regular” job. By breaking down that stereotype and barrier I am doing something the general public thought could not be done.

3. Part of Schizophrenic.NYC’s mission is to make a difference in the way that the mentally ill homeless population is treated. What do you think people should consider when they encounter homeless people on the streets? What do you think is the biggest misconception about the mentally ill homeless population?

It’s hard to say what people should do when they encounter homeless people on the streets. When I walk by a homeless person who is yelling at nobody, and exhibiting obvious symptoms of schizophrenia then I start to feel sympathetic. I know that if these people had the support of friends, family and a doctor they would be able to get the treatment they need, and they would be able to function in society. I would say the biggest misconception about the homeless population is that they are a lost cause, and none of them can be helped, which is completely not true. If someone is homeless and mentally ill, they need to get the right help. Here in NYC we need more outreach to help these homeless people who are suffering.

4. A lot of my readers/followers are future mental health clinicians or are in the medical field. Do you feel that people with schizophrenia are often misunderstood when seeking treatment/support? Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give mental health/medical practitioners about how to approach someone diagnosed with schizophrenia?

When I first was diagnosed with schizophrenia I got very depressed. I thought nobody would ever love me or want to associate with me because of my diagnosis. I think that something I should have been told was that with the right medication and monitoring that I can live a perfectly normal life. I am not my diagnosis. I am me. Just because you get diagnosed with schizophrenia doesn’t mean your life is over. It’s just the beginning of getting the best help you can, and living the best life you can.

{Michelle Hammer, creator of Schizophrenic.NYC}

For more info on Schizophrenic.NYC, check out their website, Facebook, and Instagram.

December 15, 2016 2 comments

Psychiatry

Advice on How To Cope With Burnout

written by freudandfashion

{Napa, California}

Hello my blog friends! For those who aren’t on Instagram, I wanted to share what I wrote on my post today about coping with burnout:

One of the hallmarks of burnout is that taking time off from work doesn’t renew your energy/interest in the work you do. After a relaxing Thanksgiving break, I felt super motivated to return to work and start seeing my patients today, yet the way I felt at my previous job during this exact time 2 years ago was a different story. There are numerous factors that contribute to burnout (many are difficult to pinpoint & identify, which is why people often feel they were blindsided by it).

There are different ways to deal with burnout, and though the hope would be that your employers quickly make changes to improve your situation, the likelihood of that can be pretty low. Therefore, you must be PROACTIVE and take action if you want your quality of life to improve. Depending on your situation, this can be anything from taking an extended time off, working out issues with your employer, cutting back on work hours, or finding a new job/career. One of the 1st things to do is get support (from a trusted friend, family member, union, mentor, colleague, therapist, etc). And definitely ADVOCATE for yourself (I can’t stress this enough!). Often in our careers, when we are given unrealistic expectations that challenge our values/views/identity, we are left with feelings of failure and self-defeat, but the only way to improve our situation is to stand up and recognize our value and worth.

Thought of the Day: Have you ever experienced burnout from your job? If so, what did you find to be most helpful at overcoming it?

November 30, 2016 4 comments

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