Fibromyalgia affects about 4 million U.S. adults. Though its cause remains unclear, it can be effectively diagnosed, treated, and managed. But what exactly is fibromyalgia, and why is it sometimes dismissed as “made up”? We spoke with Kevin Hackshaw, MD, a board-certified rheumatologist, to discuss how fibromyalgia is diagnosed, common pain patterns, ongoing research, and practical strategies for living well with the condition. Learn why realistic management – like exercise and self-care – can make a difference and help prevent flare-ups.

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

<a href="https://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/what-is-fibromyalgia">Fibromyalgia</a> affects about 4 million U.S. adults. Though its cause remains unclear, it can be effectively diagnosed, treated, and managed. But what exactly is fibromyalgia, and why is it sometimes dismissed as &ldquo;made up&rdquo;? We spoke with&nbsp;<a href="https://dellmed.utexas.edu/directory/kevin-hackshaw">Kevin Hackshaw, MD</a>, a board-certified rheumatologist, to discuss how fibromyalgia is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia-diagnosis-and-misdiagnosis">diagnosed</a>, common pain patterns, ongoing research, and practical strategies for living well with the condition. Learn why realistic management &ndash; like exercise and self-care &ndash; can make a difference and help prevent flare-ups.
Credits
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Kevin Hackshaw, MD</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">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

Living With Fibromyalgia: Understanding the Pain and Finding Relief

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

In this week&rsquo;s episode, the WebMD Health Discovered producers recap three of the year&rsquo;s top mental health episodes. From people-pleasing and the concept of &ldquo;fawning,&rdquo; 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: <a href="https://www.webmd.com/podcasts/20260102/people-pleasing-fawning-and-boundaries">Why Saying &ldquo;No&rdquo; Feels So Hard: People Pleasing, Fawning, and Boundaries </a><a href="https://www.webmd.com/podcasts/20260129/from-hypervigilance-to-hope-rewriting-connection-after-trauma">From Hypervigilance to Hope: Rewriting Connection After Trauma </a><a href="https://www.webmd.com/podcasts/20261015/adhd-in-women-and-girls-why-its-often-overlooked">ADHD in Women and Girls: Why It&rsquo;s Often Overlooked</a>
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&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host/Producer/Editors: Lauren Summers and Casey</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guests Featured: Lia Love Avellino, LCSW; Thema Bryant, PhD; Monica Johnson, PsyD</li>
</ul>

Mental Health Takeaways: The Stories Behind Our Behaviors

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

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&rsquo;re going through. But what are the potential dangers of relying on AI for mental health support? We spoke with <a href="https://drgailsaltz.com/about/">Gail Saltz, MD</a>, a psychoanalyst with the New York Psychoanalytic Institute, about the <a href="https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/ai-therapy-depression">risks of using AI chatbots for mental health</a>, 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&rsquo;t always best for our health and wellness &ndash; especially when it comes to our mental health.
Credits&nbsp;
<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">Guest: Gail Saltz, MD</li>
</ul>

AI Chatbots and Mental Health: What Are the Risks?

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

For years, conversations about <a href="https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd">ADHD</a> have largely focused on children, often centered on the image of a child who can&rsquo;t sit still or is disrupting the classroom. But ADHD can look very <a href="https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adhd-in-women">different in girls and women</a> &ndash; and those differences can make it easier to overlook or diagnose later in life. We spoke with <a href="https://www.kindmindpsych.com/our-team/dr-monica-johnson/">Monica Johnson, PsyD</a>, a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of <a href="https://www.kindmindpsych.com/">Kind Mind Psychology</a>, about why ADHD may be missed in girls and women, including <a href="https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adhd-black-indigenous-people-color">disparities</a> 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&nbsp;
<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">Guest: Monica Johnson, PsyD</li>
</ul>

Living With Fibromyalgia: Understanding the Pain and Finding Relief

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