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How to Be Patient
Human Content
32 episodes
1 day ago
You may have noticed a new trend lately. Everyone is loud and proud about their mental health struggles (and thank goodness)! For practitioners, this movement is as exciting as it is frustrating. As each mental health taboo falls by the wayside as it enters the cultural zeitgeist, a new aspect of our specialty thus emerges. One we just don’t have enough hours in the day to keep track of, let alone engage with. From better understanding our patients’ (and our own) relationships with their conditions in a changing world, it’s more important than ever that we learn: HOW TO BE PATIENT! Each week, join Dr. Preston Roche (Psychiatry Resident & Digital Influencer) and Dr. Margaret Duncan (Psychiatrist & Content Creator) on their quest to better understand the patients we dedicate our lives to and the evolving paths they’re bound to travel beyond the clinic. By engaging with stories and perspectives that challenge our shared understanding of a condition, we hope you’ll similarly gain new perspectives as we look at our patients, and their mental health struggles, with further nuance and empathy. (And with Dr. & Lady Glaucomflecken producing, we've been mandated to include plenty of weird medical jokes too). Speaking of which, a key part of this is hearing YOUR stories! What’s changed your understanding of patient care? Do you have an experience that shines new light on something we’ve discussed on-air? Get in touch at: howtobepatientpod.com
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Mental Health
Education,
Self-Improvement,
Health & Fitness,
Medicine
RSS
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You may have noticed a new trend lately. Everyone is loud and proud about their mental health struggles (and thank goodness)! For practitioners, this movement is as exciting as it is frustrating. As each mental health taboo falls by the wayside as it enters the cultural zeitgeist, a new aspect of our specialty thus emerges. One we just don’t have enough hours in the day to keep track of, let alone engage with. From better understanding our patients’ (and our own) relationships with their conditions in a changing world, it’s more important than ever that we learn: HOW TO BE PATIENT! Each week, join Dr. Preston Roche (Psychiatry Resident & Digital Influencer) and Dr. Margaret Duncan (Psychiatrist & Content Creator) on their quest to better understand the patients we dedicate our lives to and the evolving paths they’re bound to travel beyond the clinic. By engaging with stories and perspectives that challenge our shared understanding of a condition, we hope you’ll similarly gain new perspectives as we look at our patients, and their mental health struggles, with further nuance and empathy. (And with Dr. & Lady Glaucomflecken producing, we've been mandated to include plenty of weird medical jokes too). Speaking of which, a key part of this is hearing YOUR stories! What’s changed your understanding of patient care? Do you have an experience that shines new light on something we’ve discussed on-air? Get in touch at: howtobepatientpod.com
Show more...
Mental Health
Education,
Self-Improvement,
Health & Fitness,
Medicine
Episodes (20/32)
How to Be Patient
Suicide Risk Assessments: Using Predictive Models in a Personalized Way
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
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1 week ago
1 hour 41 minutes

How to Be Patient
Religious Trauma and Broader Visions of Spirituality in Healthcare
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
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2 weeks ago
1 hour 2 minutes

How to Be Patient
Why People Die By Suicide: Theories Through History
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
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3 weeks ago
1 hour 12 minutes

How to Be Patient
Eating Disorders for Psychiatrists: Part 2
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
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4 weeks ago
52 minutes

How to Be Patient
Eating Disorders for Psychiatrists: Part 1
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
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1 month ago
59 minutes

How to Be Patient
The History and Process of Psychiatric Detainment
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
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1 month ago
1 hour 14 minutes

How to Be Patient
The History of Burnout (And Our Maslach Scores)
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
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1 month ago
1 hour 4 minutes

How to Be Patient
The Heart of Psychiatry
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
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1 month ago
1 hour 25 minutes

How to Be Patient
How It Started, How It’s Going: Season 1 Wrap-Up
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
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2 months ago
48 minutes

How to Be Patient
Couples and Sex Therapy: Myths and Truths (Part 2)
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
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3 months ago
58 minutes

How to Be Patient
Couples and Sex Therapy: Myths and Truths (Part 1)
In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Nikki Haddad—Margaret's residency best friend, couples and sex therapist, and one of the most thoughtful psychiatrists I know—to break down what makes romantic relationships so damn hard. We get into myths we’ve carried (and tried to shake), how sexual issues are rarely just about sex, and why our training in medicine doesn’t prepare us to talk about any of this. Nikki then walks us through the five developmental stages of a relationship and this is only Part 1. Be sure to stay tuned next week for Part 2 of the conversation! Takeaways: I used to think the right relationship should feel easy. Turns out, the real ones take work, discomfort, and occasionally arguing over ice cream. Nikki taught us that sex issues aren’t just about the act—they’re a doorway to everything else we avoid. I finally learned what “differentiation” means in a relationship—and why it feels like breaking up with your past self. Couples therapy isn’t just two people yelling about chores. It’s a roadmap, a mirror, and a lot of basketball metaphors. Yes, Margaret and I roleplayed a fictional couple. Yes, I did an accent. No, we will not be taking questions. -- 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
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3 months ago
1 hour 3 minutes

How to Be Patient
Q&A from YOUR listener submissions
We opened up the inbox and wow… y’all really came through. In this first-ever Q&A episode, Margaret and I answer your questions about coping during med school, surviving feedback, dealing with emotional exhaustion in residency, and why outpatient goodbyes feel like actual breakups. I also overshare about marathon training (again), Margaret brings the wisdom and the theater metaphors, and we all learn what bald eagles actually sound like. It’s a mix of serious, strange, and unexpectedly honest—basically, peak us. Takeaways: What if taking feedback wasn’t about defending yourself—but just... listening? It took me a while to get there. Still working on it. Graduating patients from therapy might be the hardest part of residency. Margaret gets into what that really feels like. Coping doesn’t always look like wellness. Sometimes it looks like boundary-setting, running way too far, or just... wearing real pants again. The match will mess with your head. But six months into residency? You’ll probably be right where you need to be. Can we measure healing in showers taken, not symptoms cured? Asking for a friend. And all of psychiatry. 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
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3 months ago
56 minutes

How to Be Patient
Is Trauma Stuck in My Hips?
This week, I learned I have a pelvic floor. And yes, I realize I’m a doctor and should’ve known that already. Margaret and I talk with pelvic floor physical therapist and viral educator Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas, who somehow made me breathe through my butt on mic. We cover everything from incontinence and pelvic pain to TikTok fame, trauma-informed care, and the surprisingly emotional world of core stability. Alicia breaks down the science and the stigma behind one of the most misunderstood parts of the body—and I try to keep up while sitting on a pillow and trying not to Kegel too hard. Takeaways: I didn’t know I had a pelvic floor until this episode. Spoiler: everyone has one. Yes, even you. Turns out, anxiety might live in your hips. Alicia explains how mental health and physical tension are way more connected than I realized. We talk about peeing “just in case” more than I ever expected to on this podcast. And it’s weirdly important. Margaret brought the neuroscience, Alicia brought the pelvic models, and I brought... confusion and curiosity. It actually worked. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your body, this one’s for you. And if you haven’t—congrats on being a floating brain, I guess. -- Want more Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas: IG / TT: @thepelvicdancefloor Website: http://www.thepelvicdancefloor.com 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
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3 months ago
1 hour 17 minutes

How to Be Patient
Trying to Meditate: Part II
In the last episode, Preston demonstrated to Margaret how to properly conduct a mindfulness meditation session. Due to popular demand, the sage spiritual guide is back. Takeaways: Preston can’t lead a meditation Margaret shouldn’t let him try — Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Music: “Peaceful, Reiki, Meditation, Calm, Healing Music [ NO COPYRIGHT ]” by Moon Meditation Music // License: Creative Commons Attribution License  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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3 months ago
4 minutes

How to Be Patient
Our Favorite Coping Skills for Working in Stressful Times
In Episode 16, Preston and Margaret dive into the chaos of overnight residency, the reality of sleep deprivation, and how mindfulness can backfire when your brain just won’t sit still. From ruined meditations to hot girl walks through hospital hallways, they unpack what real-world coping actually looks like—before, during, and after the hardest moments. Takeaways: Coping doesn’t always look like calm. Sometimes it looks like sour gummy worms, a midnight hospital lap, or an espresso ritual that holds your brain together. Mindfulness is hard—especially when you need it most. Preston and Margaret explore why stillness can feel unbearable and what that reveals. The ‘right’ tool at the wrong time can make things worse. They break down when distraction works, when it doesn’t, and why guilt shouldn’t be part of the equation. Safety plans might be broken. What happens when you’re just checking boxes—and how can we make them matter again? Sometimes the coping skill is just surviving. This episode redefines success as doing what you can with what you’ve got, even if it's messy. 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
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3 months ago
1 hour 17 minutes

How to Be Patient
Alcohol: Examining Alcohol culture, history, and use disorder
In Episode 15, Preston and Margaret open a bottle—of questions, stories, and science—about alcohol use disorder. What do we get wrong about “moderate” drinking? Why is detox more dangerous than most people realize? And how does alcohol quietly reshape identity, relationships, and the brain itself? With their signature blend of honesty and humor, they explore the unexpected ways drinking shows up in medicine, the myths that keep us stuck, and the messy, meaningful path to redefining recovery. Takeaways: What if “just a drink” isn’t so simple? Preston and Margaret explore how subtle patterns can blur the line between social drinking and something more. Could quitting be more dangerous than drinking? There’s a reason detox needs to be taken seriously—and it’s not what you think. What does alcohol really do to your brain? Let’s just say it’s a little more complicated than relaxation and red wine. Why don’t we talk about medication for alcohol use disorder? The answers are as cultural as they are clinical. Is recovery a destination—or something else entirely? Margaret and Preston unpack a version of success that doesn’t always fit the script. 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
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4 months ago
1 hour 34 minutes

How to Be Patient
Social Anxiety & the Loneliness Epidemic
In Episode 14, Preston and Margaret dive into social anxiety disorder and the loneliness epidemic. From embarrassing childhood memories to awkward club encounters, they explore how social anxiety shows up in everyday life and how it differs from normal nerves. They also discuss the surgeon general’s definition of loneliness, the role of social media in increasing perceived judgment, and the neuroscience behind facial recognition, fear responses, and serotonin's impact on the amygdala. Takeaways: Social Anxiety Is More Than Shyness: It becomes a disorder when it causes persistent distress, distorted perceptions of judgment, and leads to avoidance of meaningful activities. Loneliness Is Subjective—and Epidemic: According to the U.S. Surgeon General, loneliness stems not just from solitude but from perceived lack of meaningful connection, and it has major mental and physical health consequences. Social Media Can Amplify Anxiety: Being constantly seen—and judged—online may intensify social anxiety, even for those who appear confident or well-known. Your Brain Is Wired to Care: Structures like the amygdala, insula, and anterior cingulate cortex play key roles in social fear, facial recognition, and rejection sensitivity—and they’re all modifiable with therapy and medication. Healing Is Gradual and Personal: CBT, SSRIs, and compassionate exposure therapy can retrain the brain’s fear circuits—but treatment must match the individual’s goals, beliefs, and readiness for change. 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
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4 months ago
1 hour 23 minutes

How to Be Patient
Marathoning and Mental Health
In this episode, Preston and Margaret take a deep dive into the science of running, exercise culture, and its impact on mental health. They explore the history of running, how it went from an obscure activity to a cultural phenomenon, and the physiological and psychological mechanisms that make it such a powerful mental health tool. They also unpack the identity crisis that can come with being an athlete, how running became the millennial version of church, and why dance might actually be a better form of exercise for mental health than running (gasp!). Takeaways: Running Changes the Brain: It increases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), neuroplasticity, and ketone metabolism, all of which may protect against depression and cognitive decline. The History of Running is Wild: Running wasn’t always a mainstream activity—it went from being a niche Olympic event to one of the most popular fitness trends of the modern era. Exercise Culture Shapes Identity: Many athletes struggle to transition after competitive sports, often searching for structure, purpose, and a new relationship with movement. Dance Might Actually Be Better for Mental Health: Research suggests dancing has stronger effects on mood and cognition than running, likely due to its social, rhythmic, and sensory components. The Best Exercise is the One You’ll Do: While running has profound mental health benefits, the most effective workout is one that is enjoyable and sustainable for the long term. 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
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4 months ago
1 hour 27 minutes

How to Be Patient
Parasocial Relationships, Social Media, & How Art Can Help Mental Health
In this episode Margaret takes the lead as she welcomes art therapist, psychotherapist, and author Amelia Knott to discuss the ethics of being online, parasocial relationships, and the impact of social media on mental health. We explore the blurred lines between personal and professional identities in digital spaces, the therapeutic power of art, and how social media fosters both connection and disconnection. Takeaways: Parasocial Relationships Feel Real—But Aren’t Always Balanced: The one-sided intimacy we form with online figures can create expectations that don’t match reality. Art Can Be a Pathway to Self-Discovery: Engaging in creative expression helps process emotions in a way that words alone sometimes can’t. The Internet Blurs Professional Boundaries: Therapists, doctors, and other professionals must carefully navigate how much of themselves to share online while maintaining ethical standards. Social Media Shapes How We See Ourselves: Being constantly observed—even by an imagined audience—can change how we experience our lives and make choices. Digital Well-Being Requires Intentionality: There’s no perfect fix for screen overuse, but being mindful of why and how we engage with digital spaces can help create a healthier relationship with technology. — Want more Amelia Knott: Instagram and TikTok: @art_therapy_irl Facebook: @art.therapy.irl Website: https://www.arttherapyinreallife.com/ 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
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4 months ago
1 hour 31 minutes

How to Be Patient
ADHD, Misinformation, and the Chaos of Online Mental Health
In this episode we are joined by Priyanka Patel, a pharmacist, content creator, and soon-to-be author, to discuss mental health misinformation, ADHD, and the challenges of navigating online discourse about mental health. Priyanka shares her personal journey with ADHD, the barriers she faced in getting a diagnosis, and how social media both helps and harms conversations about neurodivergence. Takeaways: Not All Mental Health Content is Created Equal: Social media is full of both helpful education and misleading oversimplifications, making media literacy crucial when consuming mental health content. ADHD in Women is Still Underdiagnosed: Many women with ADHD don’t receive a diagnosis until adulthood, often being dismissed as “lazy” or “disorganized” instead of receiving the support they need. Pharmacogenetics and Gender Differences Matter: Research suggests that women may metabolize ADHD medications differently, yet most treatment guidelines are based on studies conducted on men. ADHD is Not Just a "Quirk": While humor can help destigmatize neurodivergence, romanticizing ADHD as a personality trait can overshadow the serious struggles people with the condition face. Online Conversations Need More Nuance: Creators should balance authenticity with responsibility, ensuring that personal experiences are clearly distinguished from clinical advice to prevent misinformation. — Want more Priyanka Patel: Instagram & Tik Tok: @littlemiss_adhd 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
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5 months ago
1 hour 24 minutes

How to Be Patient
You may have noticed a new trend lately. Everyone is loud and proud about their mental health struggles (and thank goodness)! For practitioners, this movement is as exciting as it is frustrating. As each mental health taboo falls by the wayside as it enters the cultural zeitgeist, a new aspect of our specialty thus emerges. One we just don’t have enough hours in the day to keep track of, let alone engage with. From better understanding our patients’ (and our own) relationships with their conditions in a changing world, it’s more important than ever that we learn: HOW TO BE PATIENT! Each week, join Dr. Preston Roche (Psychiatry Resident & Digital Influencer) and Dr. Margaret Duncan (Psychiatrist & Content Creator) on their quest to better understand the patients we dedicate our lives to and the evolving paths they’re bound to travel beyond the clinic. By engaging with stories and perspectives that challenge our shared understanding of a condition, we hope you’ll similarly gain new perspectives as we look at our patients, and their mental health struggles, with further nuance and empathy. (And with Dr. & Lady Glaucomflecken producing, we've been mandated to include plenty of weird medical jokes too). Speaking of which, a key part of this is hearing YOUR stories! What’s changed your understanding of patient care? Do you have an experience that shines new light on something we’ve discussed on-air? Get in touch at: howtobepatientpod.com