Health Discovered

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 Boundaries
From Hypervigilance to Hope: Rewriting Connection After Trauma
ADHD 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
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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
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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.