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Psychiatry

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

Psychiatry

“Debunking 5 Common Misconceptions About ADHD”

written by freudandfashion

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!

—

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

June 15, 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

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

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

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

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

Personal Travel

Living Free and Spontaneous

written by freudandfashion

{Malibu, California}

This may be my quickest blogpost to date, which is uncharacteristic of me because I’m such a perfectionist when it comes to writing. But I wanted to give a personal update since I haven’t posted about my life in recent weeks on here. Looking back at my posts from 2015, I recognize how much I’ve grown and changed my lifestyle and career to prioritize myself and what’s important for me, my family, friends, and patients. I recall writing this post last year on my desire to explore new places and live freely after all my restrictive years in medical training, and must say that I’ve lived up to my words in 2016!

The pic above was taken recently during the Malibu Wine Safari tour as part of my birthday celebration last month (thanks to my brother for the birthday gift!) and today I’m taking off for a last minute, spontaneous international trip to a country I’m super excited to visit, but honestly wasn’t prepared for since this California girl isn’t used to the rapidly changing and varied climate of this country (hint: the name of the country sounds very cold and is an island). Hence, the quick blogpost today since I need to go finish packing before my flight leaves in a few hours!

If you’d like to follow along on my adventures, be sure to follow me on my Snapchat (@freudandfashion)!! PS: in addition to my daily adventures, I also post educational material on mental health and show my humorous side via parodies about shrinks.

Photo by Alex Manipod

June 10, 2016 11 comments

Personal

Finding Your Way

written by freudandfashion

{Yountville, California}

I woke up yesterday morning with a sense of dread and struggled to get out of bed, yet ended the day feeling energetic and liberated. Lately, I’ve been making conscious efforts to prioritize myself for the sake of maintaining my sanity. As a result, my mood and anxiety levels have improved almost instantaneously after making a crucial decision regarding my work schedule and the next step to take in my career. If you have any important decisions to make, I strongly recommend holding off on any impulsive, irrational decisions unless you’ve had time to relax and get in the right state of mind. So often our minds get bombarded by all the stressors in our lives that we lack any reserve to think clearly. So take a break, talk it out with others, weigh your options, and trust that your instincts will take you down the right path.

August 1, 2015 6 comments

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