Category: Psychiatry

Providing clarity in behavioral health: How patients, providers, and payers can benefit from measurement-informed care

Mental health conditions are among the most common health concerns in the United States, with 1 in 5 adults living with a mental illness. Yet those who need care have long been faced with issues of access, understanding, and stigma. While the coronavir…

Scams perpetrated on authors by impersonators and bad actors

Shortly after publishing a book, I received what seemed like a promising film adaptation offer from a reputable-sounding company. Despite initial excitement, I discovered it was a sophisticated scam. This experience taught me to stay vigilant and verif…

When heartbreak leads to self-discovery

I think the greatest quality in humans that makes them far superior to other creatures is the ability to think and act on their own free will. But there is another ability that makes us unique: the gift of feeling emotions and the capacity to love. Unc…

Beyond burnout: Normalizing psychotherapy for burned-out physicians and nurses

We have a big problem in this country. A recent poll found that half of U.S. physicians are still burned out. When Medscape surveyed 9,000 physicians across 29 specialties this year, they found that 49% of physicians report being burned out, and 20% re…

Suicide risks for international medical resident trainees

Suicide among resident physicians is a critical issue highlighted in various studies. Research indicates that depression is prevalent among resident physicians, with rates comparable to medical students, suggesting a pervasive problem across different …

From masks to medicine: How empathy shapes true medical excellence

Thirty years ago, I entered Loyola Medical School, and my initiation into the culture of medicine began. As best as I could at the time, I prepared myself for the challenges ahead. I aimed to cultivate a strong will, a powerful intellect, and what I ho…

The risks of digital health companies to psychiatric patients

In early 2022, during the coronavirus pandemic, I considered practicing psychiatry via telehealth. I looked into two telemental-health companies in particular—Cerebral and Done Global, Inc. (hereafter “Done”)—and turned them both down. I di…

A “rich” life looks different for everyone: lessons from my own near deathbed regrets

During my last inpatient admission one month before medical school graduation, an attending told me, “You talk about yourself like it’s one of your patients.” That’s exactly how it often felt (and still feels) to my brain. &#822…

Unlocking the hidden link between trauma and chronic pain [PODCAST]

Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Join us as we delve into the often-overlooked connection between trauma and chronic pain. Our guest, Cindy Perlin, a social worker, sheds light on how unresolved trauma co…

How the time-honored tradition of a baseball catch became a “test” for a brain injury

I find myself becoming more passionate with age, swept into a sea of emotions during certain movie scenes, and even crying during my favorite rock songs as the lyrics and melody crescendo and become one. The brain’s ability to adapt and change ov…