We're doing something fun and different for my next podcast. Instead of having me interview others or talk about a topic on my own, Jack Rome—my website and editorial support—will be interviewing me. I decided that having a conversation with Jack will be far more interesting, engaging, fun, and spontaneous than having me simply read into a microphone.
For our first co-hosted podcast, Jack interviews me on my personal experiences that led me to choose psychiatry and evolve into a holistic psychiatrist. In addition, we talk about what I envision for the future of psychiatry and for me as a holistic psychiatrist.
Jack is really easy to talk to. I'm sure you'll like his personality and energy. We've worked together practically every week for the past three years, so he got me rambling about stuff that I don't normally talk about. I guess that's the beauty of listening to us talk together.
For more, tune in to our podcast when it comes out on Wednesday, and click on the link at the end of the article for the teaser!
Take care and have an amazing week!
My Personal Story of Becoming a Holistic Psychiatrist
Changing the psychiatric paradigm one doctor at a time
My first article for my regular holistic mental health column with Clinical Psychiatry News (CPN) just came out this month. It's entitled, Helping Psychiatric Patients Heal Holistically. I thought it was a fitting beginning to write about my holistic journey and where it has taken me thus far.
I think it's still hard for psychiatrists to conceive that mental illness can completely resolve. Doctors are taught that mental illness is a chronic condition that can't be cured and must be treated with psychotropic medications. Unfortunately, many patients on these medications continue to take them for the rest of their lives.
I will always remember my first lecture in medical school when an attending called chiropractors "quacks" just because it was an alternative way of treating illness. When we are young, we look up to authority figures and believe what they teach us. It took many years to sift the wheat from the chaff of my ten years of psychiatric training.
This weekend, I watched a couple of movies in which hypnosis or brainwashing was part of the story. One was an old classic movie called The Manchurian Candidate that a patient requested I watch. In the movie, soldiers in the military were brainwashed/hypnotized to believe a false narrative to benefit someone else's aspirations for power.
The other movie was in the Hunger Games Series where Peeta gets brainwashed into working for the Capitol. Also, I've been talking with a clinician who actually does hypnosis as part of her therapeutic practice. So, this topic has been on my mind lately.
What does all of this have to do with holistic psychiatry?
Well, imagine if someone was in a situation where s/he was forced to memorize hundreds of facts without question and then regurgitate them on examination for about 8+ years. During this period, also imagine being subjected to emotional abuse and public humiliation if s/he doesn't perform to exacting standards.
In addition, sleep, nutrition, and outside "distractions" have to be reduced to ridiculously low standards to accommodate the demands of this programming. Random periods of sleep deprivation are a regular part of the training. Failure would mean the loss of a future career and possible bankruptcy.
How would this kind of conditioning affect a human being? Would it be possible for that person to think outside of the box? Would they dare?
That is why I started my CPN article with this: "When I was asked to write a regular 'Holistic Mental Health' column, I decided to write about the Herculean forces that must come together to create a holistic psychiatrist—someone who specializes in helping patients off their medications rather than on."
What do I mean when I write "Herculean forces?" Check out the podcast to find out!
Have a relaxing week!
The Holistic Psychiatrist Podcast (Ep. 13):
What's a Holistic Psychiatrist and Where Does One Come From?
Check out the teaser for the new episode coming out tomorrow!
What allows a psychiatrist to be open to using supplements and apply them in one's practice? What experiences are required to help a doctor gain the compassion and motivation to stick with a holistic path even at great risk to one's personal career? I'm excited to share my experiences from my decision to be a psychiatrist, my medical training, and the shift to a holistic paradigm.
Click here for the full episode available on Wednesday.
Be sure to subscribe!