Lately, I've been reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. It was published in 2018 and finally found its way to my Kindle. The concepts presented in the book caused me to reflect on how changes happen in tiny, invisible, incremental steps in every aspect of our lives.

He explains that our expectation for good habits to yield positive outcomes tends to follow a linear upward trajectory. In reality, the rewards that come from good habits follow an exponential curve: slow and imperceptible at first, but then it takes off.

The difference between our expectations and the initial slow incline of the actual curve is what he calls "the valley of disappointment." This is where most people give up because they can't see the positive rewards they are actually creating from their efforts.

His explanation helped me to connect the dots between my work and the positive outcomes of my efforts. This new appreciation for growth also gave me patience: to keep plodding along, even when my efforts seem to take forever to make any difference. Read on for further insights on how to create positive change without the typical aggravations, frustrations, and disappointments.

Have a happy new year!

Small Changes: Powerful Outcomes
Happy New Year!

I can't tell you how many times I've said out loud, "I'm going to quit!" Usually, I meant my holistic psychiatry practice, not chocolate. There are other similar versions like "I can't stand it anymore!" Or, just simply, "Ughahhh!" with clawed fingers reaching up in the air like I want to grab the heavens and shake it.

Oftentimes, my son or daughter would look over and calmly remind me, "You've said that before, and it always turns out fine." And I'd keep trying. I'd figure out a way to overcome another seemingly insurmountable challenge.

Learning how to help patients get off their psychiatric medications well was a painstakingly gradual process that imperceptibly improved over decades.

This past week, I had the chance to interview Jack M. (not Jack Rome, my co-host) for a podcast on his healing journey. I haven't talked to Jack M. since our last session in April 2019. He's living his dreams and building a great life. I was amazed at the huge strides he's made since I first began working with him.

Our conversation filled me with poignant, deep joy. It was like his joy became my joy, and I was simultaneously experiencing two-lives-worth of joy. I wasn't used to so much rejoicing because it overflowed through my eyes. Jack was tearing up too.

One can say that everything is a habit if done repeatedly, day after day. My habit of trying to heal people holistically definitely wasn't a linear process. I certainly lived through many "valleys of disappointment." But then, it took off.

As I interviewed my patients for the podcast this year, I was touched by their joy and well-being. It felt like a gift. Their efforts to heal, combined with my efforts to guide them, yielded beautiful, thriving lives. They embraced what they were given and took off living happier, healthier versions of themselves. They're living their own versions of creative freedom.

James Clear teaches that forming good habits should be process-driven, coming from an inner identity. Twenty years ago, I decided I'd rather bag groceries than keep doing the same thing I was taught as a traditional psychiatrist. When I changed my identity to that of a holistic practitioner, I began a new habit of healing.

Lately, when I read Atomic Habits, I can't help feeling like I'm a bit of a mess. I have so many bad habits I want to change. But I take comfort in my "holistic healing habit" that I began 20 years ago. As I try and fail in setting other positive habits, I know I won't get immediate results, but I look forward to more joy if I can keep plodding along.

Have a beautiful new 2022!

The Holistic Psychiatrist Podcast (Ep. 48):

Olanzapine Withdrawal with Camille

Check out the teaser here.

Olanzapine is one of the hardest antipsychotic medications to taper off safely. Its psychoactive effects impact dopamine, histamine, muscarinic, adrenergic, and serotonin receptors. To lower it without relapsing once again into psychosis requires healing underlying causes and one’s dependency on Olanzapine over time. Camille shares her successful healing journey, and what she learned along the way that will inspire and support others.

Click here for the full episode available on Wednesday.

Small Changes: Powerful Outcomes