It's Not Just in Your Head

Artificial Intelligence

The Hidden Dangers of AI-Driven Mental Health Care

Susan B Trachman M.D. on January 2, 2026

Over 5 million young adults use AI for mental health services. Research suggests that these technologies pose serious dangers when deployed without appropriate safeguards.

Over 5 million young adults use AI for mental health services. Research suggests that these technologies pose serious dangers when deployed without appropriate safeguards.

Stress

Understanding the Gender Gap in Alzheimer's Disease

Susan B Trachman M.D. on November 17, 2025

Women are diagnosed with Alzheimer's at twice the rate of men. The causes are most likely multifactorial.

Women are diagnosed with Alzheimer's at twice the rate of men. The causes are most likely multifactorial.

Aging

Bend, Don’t Break: How Stretching Slows the Aging Clock

Susan B Trachman M.D. on October 6, 2025

Regular stretching has profound benefits for physical vitality, mental well-being, and healthy aging.

Regular stretching has profound benefits for physical vitality, mental well-being, and healthy aging.

Health

She’s Not Imagining It: The Continuing Medical Dismissal of Women

Susan B Trachman M.D. on July 27, 2025

Dismissing women’s health concerns is not a new problem. Despite good intentions, gender bias persists in health care.

Dismissing women’s health concerns is not a new problem. Despite good intentions, gender bias persists in health care.

Psychiatry

The Hidden Psychology of Skin Conditions

Susan B Trachman M.D. on June 29, 2025

Psychiatric causes require a multidisciplinary approach.

Psychiatric causes require a multidisciplinary approach.

Grief

Unresolved Grief and Inflammation

Susan B Trachman M.D. on June 10, 2025

Extensive research supports the fact that unresolved grief contributes to inflammation and negative health consequences.

Extensive research supports the fact that unresolved grief contributes to inflammation and negative health consequences.

Anxiety

The Role of Anxiety in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Susan B Trachman M.D. on May 28, 2025

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are common diagnoses and are influenced by early childhood trauma and anxiety disorders.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are common diagnoses and are influenced by early childhood trauma and anxiety disorders.

Health

Getting Dirty Can Improve Your Immune System

Susan B Trachman M.D. on May 9, 2025

Exposure to some bacteria, even while in utero, can be beneficial to developing a healthy immune system and reduce the risk of having chronic illnesses later in life.

Exposure to some bacteria, even while in utero, can be beneficial to developing a healthy immune system and reduce the risk of having chronic illnesses later in life.

Stress

How Making Your Bed Can Improve Your Mood

Susan B Trachman M.D. on May 4, 2025

Making your bed can be part of creating a routine that is beneficial to your mental health.

Making your bed can be part of creating a routine that is beneficial to your mental health.

Depression

The Link Between Depression and Heart Disease

Susan B Trachman M.D. on April 7, 2025

Depression and heart disease are intimately related in a reciprocal manner. Untreated depression is an independent risk factor for a poor prognosis in heart disease.

Depression and heart disease are intimately related in a reciprocal manner. Untreated depression is an independent risk factor for a poor prognosis in heart disease.

Alexithymia

Alexithymia and Medically Unexplained Symptoms

Susan B Trachman M.D. on March 23, 2025

Alexithymia makes it challenging to understand that physical symptoms can sometimes be the somatic equivalent of underlying emotional distress and not an indication of illness.

Alexithymia makes it challenging to understand that physical symptoms can sometimes be the somatic equivalent of underlying emotional distress and not an indication of illness.

Health

The Impact of Misdiagnosed Autoimmune Disorders

Susan B Trachman M.D. on March 10, 2025

There is significant overlap between autoimmune disorders and psychiatric symptoms. Attributing autoimmune symptoms to a psychiatric diagnosis can have negative consequences.

There is significant overlap between autoimmune disorders and psychiatric symptoms. Attributing autoimmune symptoms to a psychiatric diagnosis can have negative consequences.

Epigenetics

Epigenetics: Why Your DNA Is Not Your Destiny

Susan B Trachman M.D. on February 19, 2025

Thanks to the growing field of epigenetics, we're learning more about the interplay of genetic inheritance and environment in disease development and how we can mitigate it.

Thanks to the growing field of epigenetics, we're learning more about the interplay of genetic inheritance and environment in disease development and how we can mitigate it.

Aging

Brain Shrinking After 30: Myth or Reality?

Susan B Trachman M.D. on January 30, 2025

It is inevitable that our brains shrink as we grow older. However, with healthy habits, age-related cognitive changes can be delayed or averted.

It is inevitable that our brains shrink as we grow older. However, with healthy habits, age-related cognitive changes can be delayed or averted.

Diet

Intermittent Fasting and Brain Health

Susan B Trachman M.D. on January 2, 2025

Beyond weight loss, intermittent fasting may have health benefits for all of your major organs, including the brain.

Beyond weight loss, intermittent fasting may have health benefits for all of your major organs, including the brain.

Media

The Dangers of Doom Scrolling

Susan B Trachman M.D. on December 21, 2024

Doom scrolling is a contributing factor to brain rot. It describes binging on news or social media content involving disturbing issues that can be hazardous to your health.

Doom scrolling is a contributing factor to brain rot. It describes binging on news or social media content involving disturbing issues that can be hazardous to your health.

Health

The Impact of Medically Unexplained Symptoms

Susan B Trachman M.D. on December 8, 2024

People who experience medically unexplained symptoms often feel unheard, marginalized, or even dismissed by their medical providers.

People who experience medically unexplained symptoms often feel unheard, marginalized, or even dismissed by their medical providers.

Gratitude

The Mental Health Benefits of Giving Thanks

Susan B Trachman M.D. on November 23, 2024

Did you know that practicing gratitude positively affects your physical and mental health?

Did you know that practicing gratitude positively affects your physical and mental health?

Depression

Acceptance After Loss

Susan B Trachman M.D. on November 12, 2024

The results of the election have triggered complex feelings in much of the population. Acceptance of negative emotions like these is correlated with better mental health.

The results of the election have triggered complex feelings in much of the population. Acceptance of negative emotions like these is correlated with better mental health.

Depression

How Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Could Ease Depression

Susan B Trachman M.D. on October 18, 2024

Treatment could boost motivation in depression patients.

Treatment could boost motivation in depression patients.