How to Be Patient

Today we'll talk through this one study from 2010 out of the Oxford Department of Experimental Psychology, "Task-related default mode network modulation and inhibitory control in ADHD: effects of motivation and methylphenidate", that I want to walk you through, because the way it reframed ADHD for me as a resident is one of the more useful brain-flips I've had this year. References: Liddle, E.B.,...

We're going back to one of our oldies but besties. This is our motivational interviewing episode from season one, which Margaret and I both agree is probably the best episode we made that whole first run. And it holds up, maybe even better now that we're further along in training and have actually used a lot of these tools in real clinical work. If you're a trainee, an educator, or just someone wh...

I figured we'd do something I've been wanting to do for a while: story time. Specifically, the kind where I take some of history's most famous figures, walk you through what actually happened to them, and then put on my psychiatry resident hat and try to figure out what we'd actually diagnose them with today. We will be analyzing King of France, Charles VI and Mary Todd Lincoln. Get ready to hear...

We're doing a throwback! This was our second episode ever, way back when I was at the beginning of fourth year of med school and Margaret and I were still figuring out the rhythm of this whole podcast thing. I'm now at the end of my first year of child fellowship, and somehow attachment theory keeps coming back around no matter what lens I try to look through, existential therapy, child psych, eve...

In this episode we are joined by my coresident, @undercoverdoc who has a special interested in fitness culture and bodybuilding. With the protein intake, food weighing and gym discipline also comes “extracurriculars,” or anabolic steroids. Rob describes his observationss being in the fitness space as both an athlete and a physician and we discuss the impact of steroid use, its prevalence and what...

Code ORANGE. We had to break the between-seasons hiatus for this one. If you've been on healthcare TikTok in the last month and you haven't seen the burnt-out fruit basket emerging, you have some catching up to do. And it all started with Dr. Orange. Margaret and I sat down with the anonymous primary care doctor behind the orange filter that's been unleashing the truest, funniest, most honest take...

As we wrap up Season 3, Margaret and I are looking back at the long journey from our first late-night recording sessions in 2025 to where we are now: mid-fellowship for Margaret and fourth year for me. This season wasn't just about "yapping"; it was a masterclass in learning how to podcast and excavating the narratives hidden inside clinical papers. Join Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/how...

In the final episode of a four part series on existential psychotherapy, Margaret and I take on the problem of meaning. This one is a little different that the other problems of man but they all intertwine like a single cable when it comes to living your life. Join us for discussion of philosophy, purpose and how to talk to your patients about your questions of meaninglessness.  chrome-extension:/...

Margaret and I decided to tackle the questions that have been circling our DMs, including the controversial continuum of harm reduction, where does "good enough" care end and "enabling" begin? We also touch on the complexities of diagnosing autism across genders, the "stolen valor" of internet neuroscientists, and why I’m convinced that oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) might sometimes just be a...

I’m flying solo for most of this one while Margaret is off saving dolphins (or just finishing a hospital admission ), but I’ve brought in a heavy hitter to help me tackle one of the most awkward parts of medical training: feedback. Paul Tran, the creative force behind Alimentary School, joins me to discuss why the feedback we give and receive in the clinic usually, to put it bluntly, sucks. We div...

In this journal club episode, we break down the recent findings from a landmark (in my opinion) study on the associated risks between caffeine consumption and dementia risk. Spoiler alert! More coffee might actually be protective against dementia; however, we need to take these findings with a grain of salt (or creamer) and understand how the nuance of this information can help both our lives and...

A topic that we were silent on during our Aphasia episode was the importance of Speech-Language Pathologists in the care of patients with Aphasia and, more broadly, throughout different types of care for patients in the hospital, in rehab, and outpatient. Today, we are joined by SLPs and co-hosts of Speech Talk Eva Johnson and Emily Brady to ask all our questions about how SLPs approach cognition,...

Spoiler Alert! The key to not feeling isolated is to (wait for it) be around other people! Humans are naturally driven social creatures, but the ways in which we attempt to run from isolation become the problem. In this episode, we discuss how isolation is an ever-present fear, how existential isolation differs from interpersonal and intrapersonal isolation, and how meaningful, balanced relationsh...

In the second part of our intro to DBT episodes, we welcome expert education and DBT clinician, Dr. Kiki Fehling. We talk about how Dr. Fehling found DBT, how her teaching made it to TikTok, and then get into cases about how to talk about DBT with patients and what an introductory session might sound like. In our Patreon section, we go further into some favorite exercises in DBT with Dr. Fehling....

In this episode, I sit down with Amine (whyamino) a med student and content creator who recently went viral for his skits about engaging with patients from different cultural backgrounds. Due to pressure and complaints of “promoting stereotypes,” the content was eventually taken down. The audience feels some ambivalence about this, and it raises questions about portrayal and stereotypes, is their...

Today Margaret and I take on our own freedom in today’s episode, which is part 2 of a 4-part series on Existential Psychotherapy. The existential postulate that we are all ultimately free to make our own decisions (and therefore must live with those decisions) can be a source of distress but also a path to the pursuit of a meaningful life - it all comes down to how you go about it. And we will cha...

In preparation for a more thorough DBT episode with experts in the field, Margaret leads us through a “DBT 101” covering the essentially axioms of dialectical behavioral therapy along with the pillars of mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness. Join Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/howtobepatientpod Go to Cozy Earth now for a Buy One Get One Fre...

In this episode, we explore the current political climate and the possibility of the return of institutionalized mental health care. Though this is not a political podcast (I think Preston says that 5 times) , all of medicine is political,and it’s important to discuss the overlap.  Tune in to the Patreon section to directly support the creators and for more discussion about how institutionalizatio...

In this episode, Margaret and Preston cover one of their most-requested clinical topics: diagnosing and treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD. Along the way, we review popular TikToks about OCD, including one Margaret made, and offer evidence-based approaches to treating OCD, along with a message of hope for anyone struggling with it.  Clinical guidelines Mentioned by Margaret Internation...

Today, we try to tackle the easy and simple topic of death. Inspired by the writings of Irvin Yalom in Existential Psychotherapy, Preston attempts to describe the four maxims of existentialist theory in therapy and how they may apply to patients. Join Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/howtobepatientpod If you’re ready to simplify the business side of your practice, now the perfect time to tr...

In this episode, Margaret and I are joined by the legendary host of the podcast Psychiatry Bootcamp, Dr. Mark Mullen. As a clerkship director of the psychiatry rotation himself, Dr. Mullen adds his insights as we discuss the “high yield” (if you will) tips to learning and transitioning into residency. We share our triumphs and failures as interns and indulge you with our new segment called “5-minu...

In this episode, which could be titled “Neurocognitive Assessments for Silly, Cool, Fun People” (that’s us—we are the silly, cool, fun people), Margaret and I describe five neurocognitive domains often used in psychometric testing. We also cover the associated simple yet elegant tests you can do at the bedside. These tests help provide better insight into the functioning of certain regions of the...

On this episode of HBP, we interview Brooke Resche (CookwithDrBrooke on TikTok and Instagram) and answer some of your questions of how to feed yourself to help your brain, even when struggling with ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, or stress. We get into concrete strategies for each difficulty one might have with getting meals together and eating, and talk with Dr. Brooke about tips she uses with patient...

In this episode, Margaret and I do our best to define the elusive diagnosis of dementia. We describe what the actual clinical definition of the cognitive disability is, explore the most common types of diseases that can cause dementia, and how to pick up on them clinically, especially when they start to look like other illnesses.  Join Patreon Here: https://www.patreon.com/c/howtobepatientpod -- W...

 It’s one thing to think about optimal routines, and the internet is often very fixated on the “best”, but what about when you’re stressed, burnt out, or struggling with your mental health? On this episode, we have a conversation with clinical social worker and life skills specialist Amanda Stuckey Dodson to discuss how to care for yourself or someone you love when motivation, health, or just gene...