Health Discovered

For years, conversations about ADHD have largely focused on children, often centered on the image of a child who can’t sit still or is disrupting the classroom. But ADHD can look very different in girls and women – and those differences can make it easier to overlook or diagnose later in life. We spoke with Monica Johnson, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Kind Mind Psychology, about why ADHD may be missed in girls and women, including disparities in diagnosis among Black girls and women. She explained how symptoms can shift across the lifespan, the hidden cost of masking, and how an accurate evaluation can help connect people with the right support. Credits  Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Guest: Monica Johnson, PsyD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people have left a medical appointment with more questions than answers. A rushed visit, a provider focused on a computer screen, or confusing medical information can make it harder to feel heard and confident in your care. We spoke with Neil J. Farber, MD, author of Treating a Broken System: A Physician’s Cure for the Healthcare Crisis, about creating stronger partnerships between patients and healthcare providers. He shares how better communication, thoughtful questions, and open conversations about options can help people feel more informed and empowered in their care. He also shares practical ways to prepare for appointments to make sure your priorities are part of the conversation. You deserve to be heard, understand your options, and have a voice in decisions about your health. Credits  Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Guest: Neil J. Farber, MD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Setting limits around screen time can feel complicated and overwhelming for parents. How do you move beyond simple rules and consider how different kinds of digital media may affect a child’s attention, sleep, creativity, learning, mood, and relationships? We sat down with Jane Tavyev Asher, MD, director of the Division of Child Neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, to discuss why endless feeds can be so hard to stop, how to set boundaries without making screens feel like a forbidden reward, and why it’s never too late to reset your family’s habits. Families can shift their digital habits. Start with one intentional change – and replace screen time with a shared activity. Credits  Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Guest: Jane Tavyev Asher, MD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Neurodivergent” describes someone whose brain processes, learns, or behaves differently from what society considers typical. Common forms of neurodivergence include ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and dyslexia. We spoke with Megan Anna Neff, PsyD, clinical psychologist and host of the Divergent Conversations podcast, about how neurodivergent people may process information, experience the world, communicate, and navigate everyday environments differently. We also explored why social media can be a meaningful starting point for people who have felt overlooked or misunderstood – and why it should be a doorway to learning, not the final word on diagnosis. Credits  Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Guest: Megan Anna Neff, PsyD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Previously on Health Discovered, we learned how indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM), a condition caused by an abnormal buildup of mast cells throughout the body, is diagnosed. Now, we’re looking at how ISM is treated and how symptoms can be managed. We speak with Tracy I. George, MD, a hematopathologist, and Jonathan A. Bernstein, MD, an allergist and immunologist, about what ISM treatments do, how to know if they’re working, what’s at risk when ISM goes unmonitored, and which symptoms should never be ignored. We also discuss the care team involved in treating ISM. Plus, ISM patient and Mast Cast Pod co-host Rachael Rose shares her experience managing symptoms and finding the right care team. Credits  Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Matt Stillo Show Notes: Lauren Summers Guest: Tracy I George, MD; Jonathan A. Bernstein, MD; Rachael Rose See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.