I regret not keeping a diary or journal to write about patient encounters and interactions with peers, residents and attendings, not to mention the sundry characters connected to the academic health center where I trained and practiced. Had I done that, I would have had a lot more material to write about, and my …
Join Maryna Mammoliti, a psychiatrist, as we explore the complex concept of “defensiveness” in the medical field and beyond. We’ll discuss why labeling reactions as “defensive” can carry negative connotations, the role of defensiveness as a natural …
There is a widespread belief that the emotional distress we feel causes or contributes to many common medical conditions. However, decades of mind/body research performed by research psychologists who strongly believed this failed to confirm these beliefs. Worse, studies also could not confirm any benefit of stress reduction techniques in the management of common medical conditions.
Then, is there a mind/body connection?
The answer is yes, but it is very different from …
Join Daniela Valenti, a psychiatrist, as she brings a unique perspective to her writing, weaving psychological depth into her characters. Today, she discusses her book, Sentinel 10, The Edge of Destiny. We’ll explore the creation of her …
In the world of medicine, we often encounter the term “defensive” used in various contexts – from patient interactions to professional evaluations. However, it’s crucial to reevaluate our understanding of this term and its implications on our practice and relationships.
Labeling a reaction as “defensive” carries a subjective judgment, often seen as problematic or negative. “Defensive” is often equated to a “bad” and “problematic” reaction or behavior. “Defensive” is a judgment, …
Join Trina E. Dorrah, an internal medicine physician. We explore the concept of integrating physician burnout as a quality metric in health care. Discover why Trina believes this change could revolutionize the American health care system, potentially …
We have a conversation with Claudia Finkelstein, an internal medicine physician, as she reimagines the concept of physician burnout. Join us as Claudia introduces her alternative model for addressing burnout and discusses the multifaceted factors contributing to …
It is not breaking news that we are currently in the midst of a mental health and substance use disorder crisis. We saw a record number of overdose deaths in a 12-month period from May 2022 to May 2023. According to the CDC, overdose deaths totaled more than 112,000 during that period. There has been an all-hands-on-deck effort to curb these deaths with efforts aimed at decreasing supply, educating the …
It is a typical day on the inpatient unit. A patient is refusing medication, and I want to take her to court to compel her to take medication while her lawyer is arguing for her right to refuse.
Me: “She’s clearly psychotic. She has lost her family, and she has no place to live… all because of these delusions.”
My flights had been delayed, and I did not arrive at the hotel in downtown San Francisco until almost 1 a.m. As I exited the Uber, struggling to shoulder my briefcase and wrangle my suitcase, I was a bit startled to hear a very loud voice coming from my left. “Hey, mister, do you have a dollar or two?” I had been in the city for less than one minute, …
“A doctor must work eighteen hours a day and seven days a week. If you cannot console yourself to this, get out of the profession.”
During the 20th century, these famous words from Dr. Martin Henry Fischer (1879-1962) were often quoted to students on their first day of medical school with a veiled threat to “toughen up.” Unfortunately, remnants of this outdated “get over it or get out” attitude in …
Attorney Andrea Sonnenberg joins us to delve into the transformative power of bibliotherapy. Join us as we explore how literature can be a potent tool for addressing mental health challenges, offering insights and solutions for individuals and …
“An erosion of the soul caused by a deterioration of one’s values, dignity, spirit, and will.”
– Christine Maslach (The Truth about Burnout by Maslach and Leiter)
“Shredding of the soul.”
– Rita Nakashima Brock (Director of the Shay Moral Injury Center at Volunteers of America)
The word “soul” captures our attention by speaking in a language that bypasses the superficial, connecting directly to our deepest values and thoughts. In the context of burnout …
I sat at my desk in my 6th-grade classroom, my anxiety mounting. I counted down the minutes until the big hand on the clock above the chalkboard finally reached noon. As my classmates emptied out of the room, headed to the cafeteria for lunch, my palms got cold and clammy, and I felt a growing sense of panic. I had to use the bathroom, but the prospect of entering a …
We sit down with Edith Shiro, a clinical psychologist, as she takes us on a journey through her book, The Unexpected Gift of Trauma. Prepare to gain a deeper understanding of trauma and its untapped potential for …
Join us as we delve into the world of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Jinguan Yang, a psychiatrist, will help us explore how TCM views the skin, muscles, collagen, blood vessels, and bones as mirrors of our emotional …
When Allie’s canoe tapped the dock in Iquitos, Peru, she didn’t know which was greater: her exhaustion or her anticipation. After hours on the Amazon River, she was sticky with sweat, and her arms and legs itched and ached in the wake of countless mosquito bites. However, their arrival meant she was that much closer …
Join Laya Jalilian-Khave, a physician and post-doctoral fellow in psychiatry. Laya shares her profound journey from medical school in Tehran to practicing medicine in diverse settings, including the border regions of Iran and Afghanistan. Discover how she …
I read all the time about the strategies and measures physicians and other health care professionals take to mitigate, reduce, or immunize themselves against burnout, moral distress, and empathic strain. We have been talking about this for decades, with an increase in “burnout” as a result. It seems time to shift the paradigm to allow for more productive discussions, acceptance, and strategies. Instead of talking about burnout, resilience, and self-care …
It’s been two years since the American Academy of Pediatrics declared a national state of emergency in children’s mental health. Yet sadly, very little has changed. This year, 25 percent of youth have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. More than 20 percent of teens have seriously considered suicide, and more than 40 percent of high school students reported that they’d felt so sad …
