Every 21-to 35 days women bleed for 2-7 days in order to biologically bear children in a grand sacrifice of their body to perpetuate the human race. What does our period (aka menses) mean to us? How do we prepare for and manage this integral part of our nature? What influences “it’- does the moon? other women? How do we deal with and treat menstrual diseases? These are questions that can not be answered in one paper, however, they are worth a lively discussion that is long overdue to reclaim the “cur-sed” parts of ourselves that happen to make...

Cervical cancer is the 3rd most common gynecologic cancer and the 8th most common cancer among women in the US. Mean age at diagnosis is 50, but the cancer can occur as early as age 20. The American Cancer Society estimates that in the US, 13,170 new cases of invasive cervical cancer and 4,250 deaths from cervical cancer will occur in 2019, of those new cases 120 are estimated to occur in Connecticut based on past data. Cervical cancer results from cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), which appears to be caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is among...

Here in Connecticut, October is known for its transitions. As temperatures dip and the air becomes crisp, leaves on trees change colors from vibrant green to deep gold, brilliant orange, and fiery red. Like October weather in Connecticut, many professionals’ approach to their careers and expectations of their finances are changing. The notion that you go to school, work in one job, and retire at age 65 to enjoy a few years of blissful existence without financial concerns does not represent reality for many people today. Many people now live until their late 80s. Most people want to enjoy...

Self-care is essential for all empathic people. When you mindfully and lovingly practice it each day, your sensitivities will flourish. The self-care practices, perspectives, and meditations I present as daily offerings in Thriving as an Empath will support you in being a compassionate, empowered empath without shouldering the suffering of others or trying to “fix” them. All people deserve the dignity of their own paths. Day-by-day, I’ll offer gentle reminders about how you can be loving without becoming codependent or a martyr. As a psychiatrist and empath, I am fierce about my own self-care practices and teach these principles...

Imposter Syndrome: It’s a problem that affects people from all walks of life, in all types of organizations. It’s often most associated with people who are viewed as extremely successful. Mike Myers of Saturday Night Live fame shared, “I still believe that at any time the no-talent police will come and arrest me.” From Winston Churchill, to Serena Williams, to Michelle Obama, to Lady Gaga, individuals feel plagued by feelings of self-doubt and disconnect from their accomplishments. To outsiders, these individuals appear self-assured and confident, but beneath the calm surface lies an ugly reality: a person who believes that...

Ah yes, here comes the sun. So warm, so beautiful, so life giving. How can such a beautiful, blazing star cause so much damage? Let’s look at the facts. As most of us now know, the sun can actually be good for you. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), getting anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight on your arms, hands, and face two to three times per week is enough to reap the benefits of the sun. However, anything more can cause unwanted issues. Benefits of Appropriate Sun Exposure Elevates mood Improves sleep Promotes bone growth...

I’ve rekindled my love affair with Savannah! Going to grad school at Georgia Southern University, I spent many a night on River Street or in the historic City Market. It was a blast – thanks to a liberal open container law that lets you carouse with cup in hand from historic Jones Street to the Savannah River. Savannah is the quintessential Southern city – it’s enchanting. It has soul and an edgy energy you can feel day and night. Cobblestoned squares, manicured parks, stately Victorian-era homes and ghost stories are all set under a veil of Spanish moss. The...

I always chuckle a bit at the look of terror that spreads across my patients’ faces when I first tell them I’d like to hook up some of their needles to electricity. I’m sure images of Dr. Frankenstein flash through their minds with high voltage coursing through their bodies. “Why don’t you give me a lobotomy while you’re at it,” they often joke. While I totally empathize with the initial shock (pun intended), electroacupuncture is actually a very safe, very mild, dare-I-say pleasurable experience that is highly effective. What is Electroacupuncture? Since many people have experience with TENS units,...

Recently a woman in her 40s approached me to talk at the end of a financial workshop that I delivered. With tears in her eyes she said simply, “Thank you for tonight. I wish that I met you six months ago.” Deeply moved and very curious, I asked if she would share more. Theresa and her husband Francis (names changed to protect privacy) made a deal when they got married: he’d take care of their family finances and she’d focus on her career. Francis enjoyed managing their money and Theresa found it uninteresting. They both knew how much Theresa...

Pain is cited as the most common reason Americans access the health care system and is a leading cause of disability. The National Center for Health Statistics estimates approximately 76.2 million Americans have suffered from pain that lasts longer than 24 hours and millions more suffer from acute pain. According to the CDC, as many as 1 in 5 people suffering from non-cancer pain receive a prescription opioid. These alarming facts paired with our country’s ongoing opioid crisis stress the need for the implementation of natural pain treatments into today’s healthcare system. The natural treatments for pain include, but...

Chronic Pain is an entirely different beast than acute pain. Chronic pain comes from the brain and is perpetuated by inflammation, molecules that tell nerves and the brain that there is a problem. Chronic pain is also a subjective perception, how we think about pain affects our pain. In the past few years, medicine has made pain the “5th vital sign”. When we focus on the pain, and when healthcare providers continually ask someone what their pain level is, we inadvertently perpetuate the patient’s pain, because what the brain focuses on becomes more real. Although well intentioned, this new...

Educators and parents alike are taking notice of the stress that surrounds our children on a daily basis. The stressors and demands of modern American society leaves students at a disadvantage that can only be remedied by a significant change in the way we structure and approach teaching and learning. However, while well intentioned, the current nationally imposed reform efforts have led to increased levels of anxiety, frustration and stress amongst educators. Moreover, contending with students’ increasing levels of anxiety, depression and stress to succeed in a competitive world have led to unprecedented educator absenteeism and burnout. Not surprisingly,...

Are you ready to start a fire at work? I don’t mean becoming an arsonist. I mean becoming someone who accelerates whatever they focus their attention on with determination and persistence. Fires are dynamic, ever-changing, fluid mysteries that challenge limits with their presence and power. There is a life force in a fire. Fires move with cause and can’t be avoided and neither can fire-starters. What is a Fire-Starter? Fire-starters are individuals who are flexible in their thinking and fearlessly share their thoughts with others. They thrive on jumping into discussion without waiting for someone to give them a...

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Nimesh Nagarsheth, Gynecologic Oncologist and drummer and percussionist of N.E.D., to learn more about this amazing collaboration of doctors turned musicians who are changing the lives of cancer patients and survivors through music therapy. Yes – these talented doctors started a band! I asked Dr. Nagarsheth how they came up with the name. He said, “N.E.D. is what we write on patient charts when they are free of cancer. When thinking about names for the band, this was the band’s favorite – having both a positive message and a powerful...

Pain is something that we all experience throughout our lives. Whether severe, moderate, or mild, everyone has had to bear some pain. In most cases, pain is a signal from the body that something has gone awry. While we usually consider pain to be sensation felt within the physical body, it does not always have to result from a physical injury. Mental and emotional pains can be felt physically as well. In all cases, the treatment of pain is currently a very relevant topic. As made terribly clear by the current opioid crisis, the mismanagement of pain and discomfort...

The predominant conventional medical system in the United States has evolved into a system of labels and categories. Diagnosis and treatment is based upon fitting individuals into categories and protocols. In 2013, 7 out of 10 Americans were taking at least one prescription medication. This means that 70% of Americans have been given at least one label of disease. The result is a population that believes they are sick or dysfunctional. When discussing a patients’ medical history, they often say things like “I AM a diabetic” or “I AM an asthmatic”. “I have had diarrhea my whole life”, or...

There is a lot of information out there about pregnancy and the required steps that a mom ought to take in order to have a healthy pregnancy, however, there is little information about what a mom should do to take care of herself and baby after pregnancy. Great nutrition and care during your pregnancy have helped your baby develop and grow. Now after nine months, you have finally met your lovely baby. Whether you are breastfeeding or not, it is important to take care of yourself and your new baby. Nutrition You need the appropriate nutrition to recuperate and...

As humans living on earth we are of one race existing in one place. Although we are one in that perspective we vary in many ways such as places in the globe vary from section to section. This phenomena is expressed throughout the body’s diverse layers making up one whole organism. How then can two people have different experiences when placed in the same environment and same situation? Well some chalk it up to “perception creates reality” and while that plays a major role in our psychology, I’ve personally had my perception clobbered by a reality quite different than...