2009 Tucson, Arizona A short story by Dr. Kim The ground is covered with stones. Our host is squatted down, touching each stone passively then rearranging them according to color. He’s engaged mindfully. It’s an impressive coping skill. Even a psychiatrist has to admit that. (The psychiatrist is me, by the way, though I never […]
So you want to be a psychiatrist? At least play one on TV? Here’s what you gotta know.
The part of the brain below the tentorium handles the basics, like breathing. It’s not the interesting part. Forget about it.
The Psychiatric Evaluation
You’ve arranged an appointment with a shrink, you’re not sure why, and your mind is astir with anxiety over the visit. You’ve never seen a psychiatrist before. The questions keep you awake at night. Can they read minds? Will they judge you right away? Will seeing someone even make a difference? The short answers: No, […]
Thoughts about surviving mental illness
The challenge with mental illness is that it can’t be willed away. Dealing with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or a personality disorder isn’t about pulling your socks up or changing your attitude. There’s no easy fix. By the time most of my patients reach my door, they’ve fought the fight of a lifetime trying to […]