First Line | Pre-Med and Medical Student Professional Development and Mental Health

Episode 84. Let's dive into atopic dermatitis (eczema), exploring its causes and common triggers. I'll also cover treatment for managing flare-ups, along with my own experience with eczema that started in infancy and has continued through adulthood. Editing Service and One-on-One Consultation for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): ⁠https://www.fiverr.com/f...

Episode 83. Topics covered include the following: cherry hemangioma, pyogenic granuloma, melasma, acanthosis nigricans, seborrheic keratosis, acrochordon (skin tag). Editing Service and One-on-One Consultation for Pre-Med and Medical Students (CV, personal statement, applications): ⁠https://www.fiverr.com/firstlinepod⁠   Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com⁠ View...

Episode 82. Most lesions on the skin are benign. While waiting for your dermatology appointment, here are some descriptions of the most common "spots" you might have. Don't be scared into thinking you have skin cancer because that's what Dr. Google (or Dr. TikTok) told you. Topics covered: nevus/nevi (moles, freckles, birthmarks), solar lentigo (liver spots, sun spots), verruca vulgaris (warts). E...

Episode 81. Listen for tips on crafting your resume or CV! You may need a CV while pre-med (for leadership positions, internships/co-ops, work-study, volunteering experiences with organizations, scholarship apps, and eventually the AMCAS and AACOMAS) and while in medical school (research, leadership, letters of recommendation, chair letters, applications for away rotations/audition rotations/sub-I...

Episode 80. Learn about lifestyle modifications and medications used to prevent headaches and treat them. Notes about tension headaches:  Medications: Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, or Aspirin. Read the label and talk to your doctor first! Ask your doctor about prophylactic therapy (amitriptyline). Notes about migraine headaches: Medications: Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, Excedrin, Aspirin. Read the label and...

Episode 79. Learn more about the two most common types of primary headaches (tension and migraine headaches) and red flags to watch out for that may mean a different cause of your headache. Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use link: ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code: firstline Content on Fi...

Episode 78. Hear tips on preparing for 4th year, including selecting a specialty and planning away and audition rotations. Topics include sub-internships, VSLO/VSAS, Clinician Nexus, when to ask for letters of recommendation, and when you must decide on your specialty (and what to consider when making this decision). Visit First Line’s website and blog : ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast⁠.com For a di...

Episode 77. Learn psychology that everyone should know, focusing on psychoanalytic theory and psychosocial development.  Topics covered in this episode: Sigmund Freud: The Preconscious, Conscious, and Unconscious Minds Psychoanalytic theory: the id, the super-ego, and the ego Carl Jung: personal unconscious and the collective unconscious Archetypes: the persona, the shadow, the anima/animus, and t...

Episode 76. We explore practical and achievable New Year's resolution ideas across 10 main categories to help you build lasting habits. Learn how to adjust goals, offer yourself grace, and make small, realistic changes that lead to meaningful progress throughout the year. Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠ https://www.firstlinepodcast⁠.com For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use link...

Episode 75. Whether you want a new diet to follow to lose weight, manage a chronic condition, or just become healthier, there are so many choices of diets out there, and you are not alone if you feel overwhelmed. Is high fat or low fat the way to go? Are carbs good or bad? Should meat be the largest or smallest food group in my diet? I discuss the foundations of a "good diet" and what red flags to...

Episode 74. The holidays can be a stressful and emotional time of the year. The source of this stress and how we react to stress vary widely among individuals, but the Enneagram can explain some patterns. What role do you have during the holidays based on your Enneagram type? (Sneak peek: 2s are the gift givers!) What causes conflict (internal or external) during the holidays for each type? How do...

Episode 73. What are the symptoms of the flu? What are the symptoms of the common cold? How do I know which one I have? What should I do if I have the flu or the common cold? When should I see my doctor? What should I take over the counter? Over-the-counter medications mentioned in this episode: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain/fever Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for pain/fever Oxymetazoline (nasal sp...

Episode 72. Low back pain is the 2nd most common reason to see a doctor and the 2nd most common reason to take time off work. Doctors may prescribe pain medications like NSAIDs or muscle relaxants or refer you to a physical therapist. Osteopathic doctors have another tool they can use with osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), also known as osteopathic manipulative technique or osteopathic mani...

Episode 71. Topics from this episode include the following: What osteopathic medicine is and what a DO is (see episode 2) Philosophy and foundational principles of osteopathic medicine five models of osteopathic medicine: biomechanical, respiratory/circulatory, neurological, metabolic, and behavioral Importance of preventive medicine and risk factor mitigation The basis for osteopathic medicine (e...

Episode 70. The healthy (mature) defense mechanisms discussed include anticipation, humor, altruism, suppression, and sublimation. Coping strategies are skills used to deal with life stressors. Adaptive coping focuses on responding constructively, while maladaptive coping focuses on short-term stress relief that may increase stress long-term (anger, drug use, "eating your feelings"). Adaptive copi...

Episode 69. Neurotic defenses are at a higher level than the unhealthy defense mechanisms I described in the previous episode, but mature defense mechanisms are at a higher level. The neurotic defense mechanisms include externalization, control, displacement, intellectualization, isolation of affect, rationalization, reaction formation, repression, dissociation, and inhibition. Anyone may have the...

Episode 68. I cover level 1 and level 2 defense mechanisms, the pathologic and the immature defense mechanisms, collectively referred to as the unhealthy defense mechanisms. Defense mechanisms are unconscious, so many people need therapy to affect their defense mechanisms. Defense mechanisms discussed include splitting, projection, denial, acting out, blocking, idealization, identification, passiv...

Episode 67. I discuss Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a mental health diagnosis characterized by obsessions, compulsions, or both. I cover what symptoms OCD is associated with, diagnosis, and treatment. I also speak on some of the subtypes of OCD, including postpartum OCD, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), hoarding disorder, and trichotillomania (TTM). Visit First Line’s website and blog: https...

Episode 66. I discuss topics important for women, including prevention and screening for cervical cancer (pap smear and HPV vaccines), breast cancer (mammography/mammogram), and osteoporosis. Learn what to expect when you go for a well-woman exam, specifically the physical exam portion (breast exam and pelvic exam). Note: I use the terms female and woman; however, the information applies to all in...

Episode 65. What is the difference between opioids and opiates? What types of substances are considered opioids? Are opioid pain medications addicting? What are the complications of opioid use? How is opioid use disorder treated (including with medications and other strategies)? Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠ https://www.firstlinepodcast.com For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription us...

Episode 64. What are vaccines, and how do they cause immunity? Learn about different types of vaccines, including inactivated (killed) vaccines, live attenuated vaccines, toxoid vaccines, mRNA vaccines, and vector (carrier) vaccines. I specifically discuss the importance of influenza (the flu) vaccines I also briefly discuss COVID vaccines and recommendations for a booster. Visit First Line’s webs...

Episode 63. Topics covered include psychoanalysis, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), psychodynamic psychotherapy, and interpersonal therapy. I also answer some commonly asked questions: What types of mental healthcare workers provide these types of therapy (counselors, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists)? What is the difference between these types of providers? How do I find providers in...

Episode 62. I talk about the most common types you are likely to encounter if you see a counselor, a therapist, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist. The following topics are covered: Supportive therapy (counseling)- best for depression, anxiety, and crises Cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)- best for depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),...

Episode 61. Learn more about the thyroid gland and what it does. I explain low thyroid hormone (underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism), including what it looks like and its causes. I also discuss the symptoms and causes of high thyroid (overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism). How are these disorders treated? How can stress affect the thyroid gland? Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠ https://ww...

Episode 60. There are several medications available that are not associated with the risk of congenital anomalies, and the dangers of leaving depression untreated have a much more significant impact on the growing baby. Even if a woman does not want to start medication, there are other treatment options available that you can talk to your doctor about. I discuss risk factors for depression in preg...