Health Discovered

As the days get shorter and the weather turns colder, many of us experience less energy and motivation. We may find ourselves struggling with the winter blues and dreading the months ahead. But what if the darker, slower months could be an opportunity to rest, reconnect with loved ones, enjoy meaningful activities, and build skills to help us navigate difficult seasons throughout our lives? We spoke with Kari Leibowitz, PhD, author of How to Winter: Finding Warmth on Cold, Dark, and Difficult Days, about shifting from simply “surviving” winter to finding personal, meaningful ways to enjoy it. We also discussed how to adapt and deepen our wellness practices rather than abandon them, reframe colder weather and early darkness as opportunities for cozy rituals, and recognize when the winter blues may be something more and it’s time to talk with a healthcare professional. Credits  Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Guest: Kari Leibowitz, PhD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode, the WebMD Health Discovered producers recap three of the year’s top mental health episodes. From people-pleasing and the concept of “fawning,” to finding hope and rebuilding connections after trauma, to understanding why ADHD is often overlooked in women and girls, these conversations explore a common theme: the ways we protect ourselves often have a deeper story behind them.Revisit these episodes:Why Saying “No” Feels So Hard: People Pleasing, Fawning, and BoundariesFrom Hypervigilance to Hope: Rewriting Connection After TraumaADHD in Women and Girls: Why It’s Often Overlooked Tune in for conversations that bring together evidence-based mental health information and lived experience to help us better understand ourselves and the ways we navigate the world. Credits  Host/Producer/Editors: Lauren Summers and Casey Guests Featured: Lia Love Avellino, LCSW; Thema Bryant, PhD; Monica Johnson, PsyD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the rise of AI, more people are turning to chatbots for mental health support. And for many, it makes sense: a chatbot is available around the clock, accessible from your phone in the middle of the night, and offers an easy, private way to vent about your day, explore coping strategies, or better understand what you’re going through. But what are the potential dangers of relying on AI for mental health support? We spoke with Gail Saltz, MD, a psychoanalyst with the New York Psychoanalytic Institute, about the risks of using AI chatbots for mental health, particularly during a crisis, when experiencing severe symptoms, or when making decisions about diagnoses and medications. While AI can be a useful tool for information and explanations, convenience isn’t always best for our health and wellness – especially when it comes to our mental health. Credits  Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Guest: Gail Saltz, MD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Health wearables can provide valuable insights into sleep, heart rate, steps, and blood oxygen levels – but how many of us bring that data to our healthcare appointments? What can these numbers tell us about our baseline and important changes in our health? We spoke with Calum MacRae, MD, PhD, a cardiologist at Mass General Brigham, about how to use wearable data to better understand your body, identify patterns, and potentially spot changes before a health crisis. We discussed why wearables are more than vanity metrics or tools for tracking activity, and how they can help us pay attention to the factors influencing our health. But context matters: Wearables are a tool, not a replacement for medical care or treatment. Credits  Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Guest: Calum MacRae, MD, PhD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you’ve been fired abruptly, terminated after a performance improvement plan, or affected by a mass layoff, losing your job can feel like the floor just dropped beneath your feet. One moment, you’re working with colleagues and basing life decisions on a regular paycheck and health insurance. The next, your income, self-worth, community, routine, and imagined future can feel drastically changed. You’re left asking: Who am I without this title, this income, this future – and what’s next? We spoke with Monica Johnson, PsyD, licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Kind Mind Psychology, about caring for your mental health after job loss, why you don’t need to rush into your next role, how to make space for difficult emotions, and practical steps to regain a sense of control and direction. Credits  Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Guest: Monica Johnson, PsyD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.