How to Be Patient

This might be our nerdiest episode yet—and that’s saying something. In our Season 2 kickoff, Margaret and I sit down with Dr. Margo Funk, psychiatrist and QTC whisperer, to explore the strange, stressful overlap between psychiatry and cardiology. We talk about our worst fears on call, how to spot when an EKG is lying to you, and why it might be time to stop blaming Haldol and start looking at your T wave. There are metaphors involving horses, guns, Timberlake, and Kool-Aid. Somehow, it all makes sense. If you’ve ever been scared of EKGs, risk calculators, or calling your attending at 2AM—this one’s for you. Takeaways: I thought I understood the QT interval—until I realized I didn’t. Turns out, there’s a difference between what the EKG says and what your patient actually needs. Not all meds are the villains we make them out to be. Spoiler: Haldol gets a redemption arc. Trazodone… does not. I finally learned what that weird slope on the T wave actually means. And yes, it involves potassium. ICD storms are real—and they are terrifying. Dr. Funk explains why treating the aftermath is as critical as preventing the next one. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is call your attending. Or carry a caliper. Or question the computer. -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 1: complete! In this wrap-up episode, Margaret and I reflect on what it’s been like building this show from scratch—while also being full-time psychiatry residents. We talk about favorite episodes, unexpected challenges, what we’re still figuring out, and what’s ahead for Season 2. We also answer listener questions about training, creativity, psychedelics, and the eternal search for balance when your brain wants art and your calendar says “clinic.” There’s some honesty, some gratitude, and a whole lot of behind-the-scenes chaos. Takeaways: This podcast started as exposure therapy—and became a little bit of everything. Talking into a mic is not the same as talking into a TikTok. (Spoiler: I struggled way more than I thought I would.) My favorite episodes? The ones that made us play. Guest experts, weird improv scenes, and stuff we’ll probably regret saying on camera. We’re learning in public—about psychiatry, about medicine, and about ourselves. And yeah, we definitely got some things wrong along the way. We’re not stopping. Season 2 is coming, and we’re getting even weirder (and maybe wiser) next time. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Preston and Margaret are joined by Dr. David Roberts to explore the fascinating world of motivational interviewing (MI)—a counseling technique designed to help patients navigate ambivalence and commit to meaningful change. Dr. Roberts shares insights from his years of experience training psychiatrists and therapists, breaking down MI into practical techniques that anyone can use to foster deeper, more effective conversations. We even do a fake therapy session with our producer Aron Korney! Takeaways: Motivational Interviewing Bridges Ambivalence: MI helps people resolve mixed feelings about change by guiding them to articulate their own reasons for making a shift. Change Talk Sparks Action: Encouraging patients to express their desire, ability, reasons, and need for change strengthens their motivation to take action. Reflections Deepen Understanding: Simple and complex reflections help mirror a patient’s thoughts and feelings, making them feel heard while subtly guiding them toward insight. Pacing Matters: Being too directive can lead to resistance, while being too passive may feel ineffective—MI teaches a balanced approach that fosters real conversations. Practice Makes Progress: MI is a learnable skill that improves with intentional practice, making difficult conversations about change smoother and more effective over time. — Want more Dr. David Roberts: https://providers.uthscsa.edu/providers/david-l-roberts-1255650917/ Want more Aron Korney: Human Values Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/human-values/id1622760459 Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Preston and Margaret welcome their first guest, neurosurgeon and content creator Dr. Betsy Grunch (aka Lady Spine Doc), for a deep dive into pain—how we treat it, how we misunderstand it, and how the system often fails those who experience it. Takeaways: Pain Is Not Just Physical: Chronic pain isn’t just about physical damage—it involves neurological, psychological, and emotional factors that make treatment complex. Back Surgery Isn’t Always the Answer: Failed back surgery syndrome is common, often because patients receive the wrong procedure or aren’t properly prepared for surgery. Empathy Improves Patient Outcomes: Research shows that patients who feel heard and understood by their doctors have better surgical and pain management outcomes. Social Media Shapes Medical Conversations: Platforms like TikTok have transformed how patients and doctors discuss pain, sometimes for better—but also with risks of misinformation. Medical Training Can Be Dehumanizing: The culture of surgery often discourages emotional connection, but rediscovering empathy is key to being a great physician. — Want more Dr. Betsy Grunch: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ladyspinedoc?_t=8rhZfY7LgLe&_r=1 Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ladyspinedoc Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ladyspinedoc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladyspinedoc YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ladyspinedoc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drgrunch Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/ladyspinedoc Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Citations: Chapters 1.16 and 27.15. Sadock, Benjamin J, et al. Kaplan & Sadock’s Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Wolters Kluwer, 2025. Oliveira CB, Maher CG, Pinto RZ, Traeger AC, Lin CC, Chenot JF, van Tulder M, Koes BW. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of non-specific low back pain in primary care: an updated overview. Eur Spine J. 2018 Nov;27(11):2791-2803. doi: 10.1007/s00586-018-5673-2. Epub 2018 Jul 3. PMID: 29971708. Stanford Center for Chronic Pain and American Chronic Pain Association Guide. https://www.acpanow.com/acpa-stanford-guide.html#/ George SZ, Fritz JM, Silfies SP, Schneider MJ, Beneciuk JM, Lentz TA, Gilliam JR, Hendren S, Norman KS. Interventions for the Management of Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Revision 2021. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021 Nov;51(11):CPG1-CPG60. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2021.0304. PMID: 34719942; PMCID: PMC10508241. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30265840/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK219252/#:~:text=Pain%20is%20a%20subjective%20experience,relieving%20or%20terminating%20the%20experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Preston and Margaret take a deep dive into the complex relationship between exercise and mental health. They discuss the science behind how movement impacts the brain, debunk common myths about fitness, and explore the psychological barriers that prevent people from incorporating exercise into their lives. Takeaways: Exercise Impacts Mental Health Bi-Directionally: Movement not only improves mental health, but mental health conditions can also act as barriers to engaging in exercise. Fitness Advice Often Lacks Specificity: Many healthcare providers acknowledge the benefits of exercise but rarely provide concrete strategies to help patients incorporate it into their lives. Movement Should Be Enjoyable: Finding a form of exercise that brings joy—whether it's dancing, hiking, or lifting—makes it easier to sustain and integrate into daily life. Setting Small, Achievable Goals is Key: Utilizing SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) can help create consistency without overwhelming pressure. Exercise Isn't Just About Weight: Shifting the focus from aesthetics to function, strength, and mental well-being can create a healthier and more sustainable relationship with movement. — Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Preston and Margaret tackle one of the most talked-about topics in mental health today—ADHD. From the historical roots of the diagnosis to the impact of modern social media trends, they explore how our understanding of ADHD has evolved over time. They discuss the challenges of diagnosing ADHD in both children and adults, the role of social media in spreading information (and misinformation), and the real-life impact of the disorder. Takeaways: ADHD Has Deep Historical Roots: The first observations of ADHD-like symptoms date back to the 1930s, when stimulants were found to improve focus in children originally treated for other conditions. Diagnosis Isn’t Always Simple: ADHD symptoms can overlap with anxiety, depression, and other conditions, making proper evaluation and history-taking crucial for an accurate diagnosis. Social Media: Help or Hinderance? While platforms like TikTok can offer community and validation, they can also contribute to misinformation and oversimplified self-diagnoses. Early Treatment Matters: Research shows that children who receive appropriate ADHD treatment, including medication, often have better long-term outcomes and lower rates of substance use. ADHD Is More Than Inattention: The condition impacts executive functioning, emotional regulation, and impulse control, which can affect relationships, careers, and daily life beyond just focusing. — Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Preston and Margaret explore the complex concept of rapport in healthcare. They reflect on the challenges of building meaningful connections with patients and the impact these relationships have on medical outcomes. From awkward early encounters in medical school to techniques they've developed as psychiatry residents, this episode unpacks what it means to truly connect. Takeaways: Rapport Is More Than Liking: Building rapport isn’t just about being liked; it’s about creating trust, safety, and understanding between clinician and patient. Authenticity Matters: Patients respond to doctors who show up as their authentic selves. Balancing professionalism with humanity is key to trust-building. Rapport Shapes Outcomes: Research shows that strong patient-clinician relationships lead to better health outcomes, regardless of the treatment modality used. Tailor Your Approach: Building rapport requires adapting to each patient’s unique personality and background. What works for one patient may not work for another. Empathy Is a Skill: Empathy takes practice, energy, and intentionality. It's not about agreeing with patients, but about understanding them deeply. — Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Preston and Margaret embrace the season with a deep dive into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). From the science behind melatonin and serotonin to the cultural and emotional frameworks that shape how we experience winter, this episode covers the biopsychosocial dynamics of seasonal depression. Along the way, they share personal anecdotes, including the surprising benefits of light therapy and reframing winter as an opportunity for growth. Takeaways: Light is Power: Exposure to light regulates circadian rhythms and can significantly impact mood. Tools like light therapy boxes are clinically proven to combat seasonal depression. Medication Matters: SSRIs, bupropion, and melatonin agonists like agomelatine are effective treatments for SAD, with some meds even preventing symptoms when started early. Embrace Behavioral Activation: Joining activities like winter sports or social groups can create accountability and help maintain mental health during darker months. Reframe the Season: Viewing winter as a time for creativity, community, or solitude can transform it into a meaningful and enriching period. Self-Compassion is Key: Feeling tired or less motivated during winter is normal. Practicing self-compassion and acknowledging seasonal changes can reduce guilt and promote well-being. — Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Preston and Margaret dive into the science and personal experiences surrounding attachment theory. They discuss its origins, its modern-day interpretations, and how it shows up in everyday relationships. Takeaways: Attachment is Dynamic: Attachment theory isn’t a fixed diagnosis—it’s a lens to understand how people relate to others and themselves. Repair Builds Resilience: Healthy relationships are not conflict-free but can recover from disagreements and grow stronger. Pop Psych Oversimplifies: Modern discussions about attachment styles often miss the nuance and flexibility inherent in these frameworks. Therapy is Practice: Therapy can rewire attachment patterns by creating safe spaces for emotional repair and connection. Humor as a Shield: Humor can be a tool for connection but also a way to avoid vulnerability—knowing the difference matters. — Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this debut episode of How to Be Patient, psychiatry residents Preston Roche and Margaret Duncan open up about their personal journeys into medicine and the challenges they’ve faced in connecting with patients—and themselves. From navigating early patient interactions to grappling with their own vulnerabilities, they explore the balance between authenticity and professionalism. With humor, candid storytelling, and a dash of introspection, this episode sets the stage for a season of thoughtful discussions on empathy, growth, and the art of being present in healthcare. Get ready for the tale of two doctors! Takeaways: Empathy is a Skill: You don’t have to be born with it—learning how to connect with patients can happen over time and with practice. Authenticity Matters: Medicine isn’t about pretending to be perfect; it’s about finding a way to unify your personal identity with your professional role. Vulnerability is Strength: Struggles, failures, and even embarrassing moments can be powerful tools for connecting with others. Creativity Fuels Resilience: Exploring hobbies and personal interests, like Margaret’s Bad Art Every Day project, can help you stay grounded during stressful times. Reflection Unlocks Growth: To truly understand and support patients, start by looking inward and understanding your own emotions and biases — Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margaret took the captain’s chair for this one, and I was just along for the ride—straight into the deep waters of psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy. We start with the basics: what do these words actually mean, and why do they still make some clinicians roll their eyes while others swear by them? From Freud’s infamous couch to modern relational therapy, we unpack the myths, the methods, and the mysteries that still define this approach. Along the way, we wrestle with big questions: What’s really happening in the therapeutic relationship? Why does transference matter? And is there value in a therapy that sometimes feels more like philosophy than science? And because talking about it wasn’t enough, we try it on for size—running a live role-play where I attempt a psychodynamic formulation in real time. (Spoiler: it’s as messy and awkward as you’d imagine, but also revealing in ways I didn’t expect.) This isn’t a lecture or a history lesson. It’s us exploring why psychodynamic therapy still sparks curiosity, skepticism, and maybe even wonder—and asking what it means for the future of how we help people heal. Takeaways: Therapy on the Couch: Why psychoanalysis still matters, even if we roll our eyes at Freud.The Mirror Effect: How transference and countertransference shape every session more than we realize. Cracks in the Foundation: Why psychodynamic work digs into the “basement” instead of just fixing surface problems.Between Science and Story: The tension between falsifiability and the lived experience of patients. Practice Makes Awkward: A live role-play that shows just how messy (and revealing) this approach can be. Citations: Kassaw K, Gabbard GO. Creating a psychodynamic formulation from a clinical evaluation. Am J Psychiatry. 2002 May;159(5):721-6. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.159.5.721. PMID: 11986123. Summers, R. F., Barber, J. P., & Zilcha-Mano, S. (2024). Psychodynamic therapy: A guide to evidence-based practice (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press. Chapter 1 cited -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode might feel like a gut punch, in the most important way. Margaret and I sat down with Alyson Stoner to talk about what it means to be raised in the spotlight, what happens when systems prioritize performance over people, and how we reckon with that legacy in healthcare. There’s a vulnerability here that caught me off guard and I think that’s the point. If you’ve ever wondered what lies beneath the polished performances we all grew up watching, this one’s for you. Takeaways: The Performance Trap: We unpack how young performers are trained to suppress needs for the sake of applause—and what that does long term. Behind the Curtain: Alyson shares a raw, unfiltered look at what fame masked, and what it demanded. Trauma in the Body: We explore how unresolved pain shows up in physical health—and how the body never really forgets. Reclaiming Identity: From child star to advocate, Alyson walks us through the messy, powerful work of redefinition. What Healing Can Look Like: It's not about fixing—it’s about reconnecting. And sometimes the most honest therapy isn’t clinical at all. Want more Alyson Stoner: IG: @alysonstoner TikTok: @alysonstoner YouTube: @TheRealAlysonStoner Citations: Orenstein GA, Lewis L. Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development. [Updated 2022 Nov 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556096/ -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margaret and I sat down to speak on a topic we rarely hear spoken plainly: suicide. We didn’t plan to tidy anything up or wrap it in easy language. Instead, we tried to sit with it—the fear, the responsibility, the human ache behind it all. We talk about how suicide shows up in our clinical work, how it’s shaped us personally, and why we both believe silence helps no one. This isn’t a “how-to” or a lecture. It’s a real conversation between two people trying to hold space for pain, and maybe offer a little hope in the process. Takeaways: Let’s Start with the Silence – We unpack why suicide feels unspeakable in both professional and personal spaces. The Weight of the Question – Margaret and I talk about what it’s like when someone asks, “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?” Clinician Meets Human – We explore the blurry line between being the helper and being the one in crisis. Words That Don’t Fix But Still Matter – Sometimes just saying “I’ll sit with you” carries more power than advice. Not a Lesson—A Lived Experience – This episode isn’t scripted or solved. It’s honest, messy, and real. Citations: Margaret’s Discussion portion and most referenced informed by review ch: Kaplan and Sadock’s Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry, Volume 11, 2025 Published. Chapter 31.1: Psychiatric Emergencies: Suicide Overview, Risk and Protective Factors, Treatment, and Prevention Suicide Crisis Syndrome Reference: Melzer, L., Forkmann, T., & Teismann, T. (2024). Suicide Crisis Syndrome: A systematic review. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 54, 556–574. https://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.13065 -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode felt like a deep exhale. Margaret runs solo today, as she sat down with Dr. Hillary McBride—psychologist, author, and researcher—to talk about embodiment, trauma, and the radical act of tuning back into ourselves. We talked about what it means to feel your feelings in your body, why disconnection often begins as protection, and how pleasure, presence, and play can be part of the healing process. It’s about more than coping. It’s about coming home. This one surprised me, and stayed with me. I think it might do the same for you. Takeaways: Embodiment isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. Disconnection from the body is often a trauma response we learned for survival. Reconnecting with your body can feel foreign, even frightening—and still be worth it. Healing doesn’t always mean “feeling better”—sometimes it just means feeling. Your body can be a place of safety, wisdom, and even joy—but you don’t have to rush to get there. -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While in psychiatry we avoid using declarative or certain language about mechanisms, it can be helpful to think about the narratives that drive people to behavior that will ultimately end their life. In this episode Margaret and I review the Durkheim principles of suicidality following the four categories: anomic, fatalistic, egoistic and altruistic. We talk about how each has a distinct flavor in the clinical setting and which ones are better handled by safety planning or solution based interventions. -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr and Lady Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Part 2 of our deep dive into eating disorders—and this time, we’re going even deeper. We kick off by unpacking our mock therapy session with Dr. Helen Liljenwall, which unexpectedly hit close to home for all of us. Then we take a sharp turn into the medical realities of starvation, including refeeding syndrome, the female athlete triad, and why your heart is always in the equation (literally). But what happens when patients refuse to eat—and we have to decide whether they need a psychiatric hold? Who gets to say when a person with an eating disorder has lost capacity? And is “terminal anorexia” a compassionate truth—or a dangerous excuse? If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to treat eating disorders, this is the episode to hear. It's raw, real, and it doesn’t flinch. Takeaways: Refeeding syndrome isn’t just a med school concept—it’s a real, life-threatening danger in eating disorder treatment. Psychiatric holds for anorexia raise tough ethical questions about autonomy, capacity, and what it means to save a life. That fake therapy session? It’s not so fake when the emotional stakes are this high. The eating disorder voice can sound like discipline—but it’s often masking deep distress. Terminal anorexia is a controversial idea… and we don’t shy away from the controversy. -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is Part 1 of our two-part deep dive into eating disorders—and we’re starting at the beginning. Margaret and I sit down with psychiatrist and eating disorder specialist Helen Liljenwall, MD to walk through the basics: What are the major types of eating disorders? What do they actually look like in real life? And how do we treat something that’s rooted in both biology and culture? We cover everything med school skipped—then try to practice what we’ve learned in a fake (but emotionally real) therapy session with Dr. Helen as the patient. Spoiler: it got uncomfortable in all the right ways. Takeaways: Eating disorders don’t come with a single look—or a single diagnosis. We break down the ones you’ve heard of and the ones you haven’t. Every med student should hear this conversation. Because we weren’t taught how to spot this stuff—let alone treat it. Practicing therapy with an expert in the “patient” seat is more terrifying than it sounds. This isn’t just about food. It’s about fear, shame, and survival strategies. We’re not pretending to know everything. We’re starting with the basics—so we can learn to do better. -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margaret and I talk about what it feels like to care for patients who remind us a little too much of ourselves, especially when we’re also the ones filling out the paperwork for a psychiatric hold. We dig into what a 5150 (or 5585) really means, how to sit with that kind of authority, and the emotional mess of seeing a patient’s fear reflect your own. Psychiatric holds carry legal weight, but emotional weight, too. We talk about what it’s like to sit with both. Takeaways: Signing a psych hold form never feels casual—especially when the patient could’ve been me. Overidentifying isn’t compassion—it’s a signal that I might need supervision, fast. Letting go of a patient isn’t always a failure. Sometimes it’s a kindness. Psychiatric holds carry legal weight, but emotional weight, too. We talk about what it’s like to sit with both. Empathy is powerful—until it gets in the way. Learning where to stop is part of learning how to stay. -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Margaret and I take on burnout—what it actually is, where the term came from, and how to tell when you’re not just tired, but something deeper is cracking. We dig into the history, the Maslach Inventory, moral injury, and why burnout isn’t in the DSM (yet). We also share our own unhinged burnout moments (yes, mine involves harmonica) and explore how to tell the difference between burnout, depression, and just being in the wrong place. Reference: MBI Self Test: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16OJpRvvrGfs8SEEXgKk_Em8NgZerZkdo/view Takeaways: Did I buy a harmonica during a burnout spiral? Yes. Was it helpful? Also yes. Burnout isn’t just a vibe—it has a whole inventory. We took it, and let’s just say… some of us are more charred than others. Moral injury hits different when you’re the one holding the clipboard. Especially when someone else made the call. Burnout and depression aren’t the same—but they like to hang out. And sometimes you don’t know which one’s driving. Not all coping strategies are cute. Some look like spreadsheets. Some look like chili’s. Some look like crying in a hospital bathroom. -- Ready to take your exam prep to the next level? Go to http://www.NowYouKnowPsych.com and enter the code BEPATIENT at checkout for 20% off. -- Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Nikki Haddad, we went from couples therapy theory to Simpsons cosplay, and yes—it was as chaotic and illuminating as it sounds. Margaret and I roleplay Homer and Marge in a fictional session while Nikki breaks down what’s actually happening between us (emotionally, not just cartoonishly). Along the way, we talk about heteronormativity, escapism, parenting exhaustion, and the red flags that get mistaken for romance. It’s part improv, part therapy, part meltdown. But somehow, it makes sense. Takeaways: Couples therapy gets real fast when you’re pretending to be Homer Simpson. And somehow, the emotional truth still lands. Escapism isn’t always the problem—sometimes it’s the signal. Nikki helps us unpack how conflict, withdrawal, and resentment show up underneath the surface. Heteronormativity shows up even when you think you’re past it. From breadwinner guilt to emotional labor, we talk about the roles we don’t realize we’re playing. Being a therapist in the room with two people pretending to fall apart is harder than it looks. Nikki walks us through what she watches for—and what she doesn’t say out loud. Yes, we were roleplaying. No, we were not okay. But that’s what makes this one worth listening to. -- Want more Dr. Nikki Haddad: IG: @nikkiiiirose Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: ⁠⁠howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices