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

Allergy season is more than a few weeks of sneezing. It can be hard to tell what’s “just allergies,” what might be an infection, and when it’s time to seek more than over-the-counter relief. What’s actually happening in your immune system when symptoms flare? And why can they feel so intense? We spoke with Zachary E. Rubin, MD, author of All About Allergies, about how allergy evaluations work, how to identify your triggers, and how to use OTC treatments effectively. Plus, when it’s time to see an allergist. You don’t have to suffer – listen in to this episode for expert guidance on finding real, lasting relief.

Credits
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Zachary E. Rubin, MD

<a href="https://www.webmd.com/allergies/when-allergy-season" data-testid="linkable-text">Allergy season</a> is more than a few weeks of sneezing. It can be hard to tell what&rsquo;s &ldquo;just <a href="https://www.webmd.com/allergies/allergy-symptoms" data-testid="linkable-text">allergies</a>,&rdquo; what might be an infection, and when it&rsquo;s time to seek more than over-the-counter relief. What&rsquo;s actually happening in your immune system when symptoms flare? And why can they feel so intense? We spoke with <a href="https://www.oakbrookallergists.com/our-team/zachary-e-rubin-md/" data-testid="linkable-text">Zachary E. Rubin, MD</a>, author of <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790561/all-about-allergies-by-zachary-rubin-md/" data-testid="linkable-text">All About Allergies,</a> about how allergy evaluations work, how to identify your triggers, and how to use <a href="https://www.webmd.com/allergies/allergy-medications" data-testid="linkable-text">OTC treatments effectively</a>. Plus, when it&rsquo;s time to see an allergist. You don&rsquo;t have to suffer &ndash; listen in to this episode for expert guidance on finding real, lasting relief.
Credits
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Show Notes: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Zachary E. Rubin, MD</li>
</ul>

From Triggers to Treatment: A Smarter Way to Manage Allergies

Non-small-cell lung cancer accounts for about 85% of all lung cancer cases. It’s a diagnosis that changes everything, yet conversations often focus on treatment and overlook what patients live through every day. We hear from writer and lung cancer patient advocate Janet Freeman-Daily, who shares her experience with non-small-cell lung cancer – from her first symptoms and imaging tests to the shock of diagnosis and learning how to advocate for herself. Then Donald Rosenstein, MD, psychiatrist and director of the Comprehensive Cancer Support Program at UNC-Chapel Hill, discusses the emotional impact of cancer, including feelings like guilt and fear, and how patients can process them. He also explains the support available – from cancer care teams and palliative care to psychiatry, counseling, and social work – reminding patients they don’t have to face a life-changing diagnosis alone.

Credits
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guests: Donald Rosenstein, MD; Janet Freeman-Daily

<a href="https://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/non-small-cell-lung-cancer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/non-small-cell-lung-cancer&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773777307882000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3x2b_Px0yCw6sRbdXCGhPR">Non-small-cell lung cancer</a>&nbsp;accounts for about 85% of all&nbsp;<a href="https://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/small-cell-vs-non-small-cell-lung-cancer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/small-cell-vs-non-small-cell-lung-cancer&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773777307882000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0XS31neMb4541t6w_YLOUO">lung cancer</a>&nbsp;cases. It&rsquo;s a diagnosis that changes everything, yet conversations often focus on&nbsp;treatment and overlook&nbsp;what patients live through every day. We hear from writer and lung cancer patient advocate&nbsp;<a href="https://grayconnections.net/about-janet/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://grayconnections.net/about-janet/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773777307882000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1IyRJYoXqAIpYLvvam1b2a">Janet Freeman-Daily</a>, who shares her experience with non-small-cell lung cancer &ndash; from her first symptoms and imaging tests to the shock of diagnosis and learning how to advocate for herself. Then&nbsp;<a href="https://www.med.unc.edu/psych/people/donald-rosenstein-md/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.med.unc.edu/psych/people/donald-rosenstein-md/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773777307882000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2u-8K30jA9P5FGdCMtr3QX">Donald Rosenstein, MD</a>, psychiatrist and director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://unclineberger.org/ccsp/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://unclineberger.org/ccsp/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773777307882000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0SU9En_sKt9w3tDfYk-j0Q">Comprehensive Cancer Support Program</a>&nbsp;at UNC-Chapel Hill, discusses the emotional impact of cancer, including feelings like guilt and fear, and how patients can process them. He also explains the support available &ndash; from cancer care teams and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/cm/palliative-care-what-is" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/cm/palliative-care-what-is&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773777307882000&amp;usg=AOvVaw19kevCPxcUc9slqbAuE4Un">palliative care</a>&nbsp;to psychiatry, counseling, and social work &ndash; reminding patients they don&rsquo;t have to face a life-changing diagnosis alone.
Credits
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Show Notes: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guests: Donald Rosenstein, MD; Janet Freeman-Daily</li>
</ul>

How to Be Your Best Advocate: Living With Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

When someone you love is dealing with serious health issues or repeated hospital visits, it can feel like you’re constantly bracing for the next crisis. In those moments, it’s hard to step back and think about what your loved one truly wants, needs, and what would support their quality of life. Yet for many families, conversations about palliative care and advance care planning happen too late – or are misunderstood as “the end,” rather than tools that help people live as fully and comfortably as possible for as long as possible. We spoke with Anthony L. Back, MD, a national leader in patient-oncologist communication, about what palliative care really means versus hospice, common myths about palliative care, how culture and lived experiences shape these conversations, and how families can begin important discussions about advance care planning.

Check out The John A. Hartford Foundation at https://www.johnahartford.org/.

When someone you love is dealing with serious health issues or repeated hospital visits, it can feel like you&rsquo;re constantly bracing for the next crisis. In those moments, it&rsquo;s hard to step back and think about what your loved one truly wants, needs, and what would support their quality of life. Yet for many families, conversations about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.webmd.com/palliative-care/when-is-palliative-care-appropriate" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/palliative-care/when-is-palliative-care-appropriate&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773160774157000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1lS-NpZWS50Ad-TdOjLLlb">palliative care</a>&nbsp;and advance care planning happen too late &ndash; or are misunderstood as &ldquo;the end,&rdquo; rather than tools that help people live as fully and comfortably as possible for as long as possible. We spoke with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uwmedicine.org/bios/anthony-back" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.uwmedicine.org/bios/anthony-back&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773160774157000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2DTS9r_R4vQdkZEa8LqH_x">Anthony L. Back, MD</a>, a national leader in patient-oncologist communication, about what palliative care really means versus hospice, common myths about palliative care, how culture and lived experiences shape these conversations, and how families can begin important discussions about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/seniors-plan-ahead" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/seniors-plan-ahead&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773160774157000&amp;usg=AOvVaw38NSd8kvcznevUNX6yWbc5">advance care planning</a>.
Check out The John A. Hartford Foundation at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.johnahartford.org/">https://www.johnahartford.org/</a>.

From Hypervigilance to Hope: Rewriting Connection After Trauma

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