How does trauma shape identity, trust, and connection in relationships? In this episode, we spoke with Thema Bryant, PhD, author of Matters of the Heart: Healing Your Relationship with Yourself and Those You Love, to unpack how PTSD can show up in intimacy and everyday life through hypervigilance, shame, emotional overwhelm, and disconnection, and the pathways to healing. From safe relationships and self-compassion to community and spirituality, we look at how recovery happens over time. This is a conversation about naming harm, rejecting shame, and making space for growth, hope, and wholeness on the other side of trauma.

This episode includes discussion of sexual assault, trauma, and PTSD. Some listeners may find this content difficult or triggering. Please take care while listening, and consider reaching out for support if needed.

Credits
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Guest: Thema Bryant, PhD
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers

How does trauma shape identity, trust, and connection in relationships? In this episode, we spoke with <a href="https://drthema.com/">Thema Bryant, PhD</a>, author of <a href="https://drthema.com/product/matters-of-the-heart/">Matters of the Heart: Healing Your Relationship with Yourself and Those You Love</a>, to unpack how <a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder">PTSD</a> can show up in intimacy and everyday life through hypervigilance, shame, emotional overwhelm, and disconnection, and the pathways to healing. From safe relationships and self-compassion to community and spirituality, we look at how recovery happens over time. This is a conversation about naming harm, rejecting shame, and making space for growth, hope, and wholeness on the other side of trauma.
This episode includes discussion of sexual assault, trauma, and PTSD. Some listeners may find this content difficult or triggering. Please take care while listening, and consider reaching out for support if needed.
Credits
<ul>
<li>Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li>Guest: Thema Bryant, PhD</li>
<li>Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li>Show Notes: Lauren Summers </li>
</ul>

WebMD Chief Physician Editor Neha Pathak, MD, and Chief Medical Officer, John Whyte, MD, MPH, explore fascinating stories to find the unexpected things that help us understand our health.

Health Discovered

From Hypervigilance to Hope: Rewriting Connection After Trauma

Perimenopause is the natural transition leading into menopause, marked by erratic fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone. These unpredictable shifts can trigger emotional, cognitive, and physical changes – often years before menopause officially begins. We spoke with Megan Spence, PsyD, PMH-C, a licensed clinical psychologist, about the whole-body experience of perimenopause, including mood and memory changes, the structural and social factors that place some groups at higher risk, available hormonal and non-hormonal treatments, lifestyle strategies that may help, and when – and how – to ask for support. Your symptoms matter, and you deserve informed, compassionate care.

Credits
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Guest: Megan Spence, PsyD, PMH-C
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers

<a href="https://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide-chapter-perimenopause-overview" data-testid="linkable-text">Perimenopause</a> is the natural transition leading into menopause, marked by erratic fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone. These unpredictable shifts can trigger&nbsp;<a href="https://www.webmd.com/menopause/emotional-roller-coaster" data-testid="linkable-text">emotional</a>, cognitive, and physical changes &ndash; often years before menopause officially begins. We spoke with <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/megan-spence-alameda-ca/869278" data-testid="linkable-text">Megan Spence, PsyD, PMH-C</a>, a licensed clinical psychologist, about the whole-body experience of perimenopause, including mood and memory changes, the structural and social factors that place some groups at higher risk, available hormonal and non-hormonal treatments, lifestyle strategies that may help, and when &ndash; and how &ndash; to ask for support. Your symptoms matter, and you deserve informed, compassionate care.
Credits
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Megan Spence, PsyD, PMH-C</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Show Notes: Lauren Summers</li>
</ul>

Perimenopause: Understanding the Emotional, Cognitive, and Physical Changes

Miscarriage is common, yet many people feel unprepared when it happens. What are the different types of miscarriage, and what does follow-up care look like? We spoke with Lora Shahine, MD, double board-certified in reproductive endocrinology, infertility, and OB-GYN, about what to expect after a miscarriage, available care options, and the emotional aftermath, including the connection to postpartum depression. Dr. Shahine also explains the most common cause of miscarriage – genetic issues in the embryo – and why it is not caused by something a person did. Miscarriage is not your fault, and support matters.

Credits
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Guest: Lora Shahine, MD
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers

<a href="https://www.webmd.com/baby/pregnancy-miscarriage" data-testid="linkable-text">Miscarriage</a> is common, yet many people feel unprepared when it happens. What are the different types of miscarriage, and what does follow-up care look like? We spoke with <a href="https://drlorashahine.com/about-new" data-testid="linkable-text">Lora Shahine, MD</a>, double board-certified in reproductive endocrinology, infertility, and OB-GYN, about what to expect after a miscarriage, available care options, and the emotional aftermath, including the connection to postpartum depression. Dr. Shahine also explains the most common <a href="https://www.webmd.com/baby/4-common-causes-miscarriage" data-testid="linkable-text">cause of miscarriage</a> &ndash; genetic issues in the embryo &ndash; and why it is not caused by something a person did. Miscarriage is not your fault, and support matters.
Credits
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Lora Shahine, MD</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Show Notes: Lauren Summers</li>
</ul>

Miscarriage: Understanding Causes, Follow-Up Care, and Finding Support

Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss and can affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and other areas of the body, causing patchy, partial, or complete hair loss. What are the different types of alopecia, and how are they diagnosed? We spoke with Carolyn Goh, MD, a dermatologist specializing in hair loss and scalp disorders, about common forms of alopecia, signs of pattern hair loss, what to expect after a diagnosis, available treatment options, and how to find support – because you’re not alone, and help is available.

Additional resources: 
Scarring Alopecia Foundation (SAF)
National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF)

Credits
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Guest: Carolyn Goh, MD
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers

<a href="https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/alopecia-areata">Alopecia</a> is the medical term for hair loss and can affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and other areas of the body, causing patchy, partial, or complete <a href="https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/understanding-hair-loss-basics">hair loss</a>. What are the different types of alopecia, and how are they diagnosed? We spoke with <a href="https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/carolyn-goh">Carolyn Goh, MD</a>, a dermatologist specializing in hair loss and scalp disorders, about common forms of alopecia, signs of pattern hair loss, what to expect after a diagnosis, available treatment options, and how to find <a href="https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/confidence-alopecia-areata">support</a> &ndash; because you&rsquo;re not alone, and help is available.
Additional resources: <a href="https://scarringalopecia.org/">Scarring Alopecia Foundation (SAF)</a> <a href="https://www.naaf.org/">National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF)</a>
Credits
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Carolyn Goh, MD</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Show Notes: Lauren Summers</li>
</ul>

From Hypervigilance to Hope: Rewriting Connection After Trauma

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