This is my first Christmas at home in five years, and the longest break I’ve taken in who knows how long. Being far away from home for residency and medical school, I always seemed to be caught up in something. Or making excuses not to actively seek wellness. It’s been great rolling around in bed … Continue reading Taking Time
Still Here
I made a very difficult decision about a patient a couple weeks ago. After I made the call, I just sat there reflecting on how I handled it. I was harsh. I still think it was the right thing to do, but I did not add much empathic statements like I always do. All I … Continue reading Still Here
Data Collection
Today, I learned that I am too quick to try to fix things. It's incredible how much information gathering is needed to properly assess a child. And in this process, we build rapport and empathize with the parent and patient. But right now at this stage in my training, I still find it really hard … Continue reading Data Collection
Adjustment Period
Learning a new system is hard. Learning the politics of a system is even harder. Probably because it’s usually learned by experience. Also, when you deal with children, everyone gets on a whole another level of intensity. There is heightened anxiety everywhere, and people are quick to blame. When the peds ED attending yelled at … Continue reading Adjustment Period
Leaving Residency, Starting Fellowship
When I moved away from home to start medical school, I was fearless and inpatient. I was tired of the bubble I called home, and wanted to see the rest of the country. What was it like out East? Midwest? It was probably the inner “Dora the Explorer” in me from moving around so much … Continue reading Leaving Residency, Starting Fellowship
In the Worst of Times
One thing residency teaches you is how people show their true colors as they go through one of the most difficult times in their lives. You really can't hide who you are, especially in this profession of mental health. You just can't help people with mental illness if you don't address your own internal struggles. … Continue reading In the Worst of Times
Self-Worth
I constantly wonder what the world would be like if everyone loved themselves for exactly who they were. What conversations could be had if there was no insecurity or defensiveness? If we could learn to be vulnerable and open, and be empathic toward others and embrace our differences? In didactics we are learning a lot … Continue reading Self-Worth
Hope
I recently watched Amanda Gorman perform her inauguration poem. I don't even know where to begin. She feels like a ray of sunshine piercing through these ominous clouds of negativity hovering over our country. She talks about tragedies and calamities without weighing you down. She somehow turns the pain into fuel to motivate us to … Continue reading Hope
The Little Things
One luxury of being a third year resident is that you are able to sit back and look at everything from a distance. We've had junior residents quarantine because of COVID exposure and feeling ill, so I've had to take extra shifts in the hospital to cover. Despite having to go back to that trauma-triggering … Continue reading The Little Things
Change in the Weather
This year has been sobering and jarring to say the least. Where I am, the weather has gotten a lot colder, and the leaves have all turned to reflect the colors of pumpkins, apples, butternut squashes, and hearty nuts. It's sad to see less of the sun, but it's a beautiful time of the year. … Continue reading Change in the Weather
The Good Enough Psychiatrist 