Public speaking is often listed among our greatest fears. As Jerry Seinfeld once joked, at a funeral, the average person would rather be in the casket than delivering the eulogy. I have... Read more »
My youngest son, Alex, who is also a neurointensivist like me, recently lost one of the treasures of his life, his dog Milo (whose middle name was Rafa, after Rafael Nadal). As... Read more »
Parenting is the hardest job I’ve ever had. I say that often to myself and to parents with whom I work. Parenting a child with ADHD, anxiety, autism, learning differences, or other... Read more »
Between balancing a PhD program, working a job, keeping up with home duties, maintaining friends and family connections, and trying to stay physically healthy, life often feels like a constant high-stakes juggling... Read more »
In the last month, I’ve been absorbed in Meghan O’Rourke’s insightful book, The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness. It examines the often dark and misconstrued world of long-term health conditions, specifically intangible... Read more »
The main reason that Willa isolated herself while caring for her disabled husband, Dan, who was paralyzed from a massive stroke, was that she was afraid all her emotions would spill out... Read more »
My grandmother hummed all day long. She hummed while she cooked, while she cleaned, while she worked, and while she rested. Her favorite song to hum: “His Eye Is on the Sparrow,”... Read more »
Everyone has good and bad days. But if you step back and push aside those fantasies of being a billionaire or the most attractive person on the planet, and if you’re fortunate... Read more »
By Jana Wu, LCSW, LADC, ICAADC, CASAC I have worked in mental health and substance use treatment for more than 15 years. As I approach 50, I keep returning to a question... Read more »
We like to think of ourselves as self-made and self-sufficient, conquering our days through sheer wit and grit. For the most part, we are wrong. Moment by moment, we are held by... Read more »