First Line | Pre-Med and Medical Student Professional Development and Mental Health

Episode 70. The healthy (mature) defense mechanisms discussed include anticipation, humor, altruism, suppression, and sublimation.

Coping strategies are skills used to deal with life stressors. Adaptive coping focuses on responding constructively, while maladaptive coping focuses on short-term stress relief that may increase stress long-term (anger, drug use, "eating your feelings"). Adaptive coping can be problem-focused coping (targeting the underlying cause), emotion-focused (responding with acceptance), or meaning-focused coping (mindfulness, gratitude, prayer).

Defense Mechanisms (episodes 68 and 69)

Personality Disorders (episodes 6, 8, 9, and 13)

Types of Therapy (episodes 62 and 63)

Enneagram (episodes 25-34)

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Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 69. Neurotic defenses are at a higher level than the unhealthy defense mechanisms I described in the previous episode, but mature defense mechanisms are at a higher level. The neurotic defense mechanisms include externalization, control, displacement, intellectualization, isolation of affect, rationalization, reaction formation, repression, dissociation, and inhibition. Anyone may have these defense mechanisms, but it is common in people with personality disorders or other mental health diagnoses, especially anxiety-related disorders.

Related episodes to listen to next: 

Unhealthy Defense Mechanisms (episode 68)

Personality Disorders (episodes 6, 8, 9, and 13)

Types of Therapy (episodes 62 and 63)

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Instagram: @firstlinepodcast

Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/firstlinepodcast⁠

Email: [email protected]

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 68. I cover level 1 and level 2 defense mechanisms, the pathologic and the immature defense mechanisms, collectively referred to as the unhealthy defense mechanisms. Defense mechanisms are unconscious, so many people need therapy to affect their defense mechanisms.

Defense mechanisms discussed include splitting, projection, denial, acting out, blocking, idealization, identification, passive aggression, undoing, regression, and fixation.

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For a discount off your TrueLearn subscription use link: ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code: firstline

Instagram: @firstlinepodcast

Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/firstlinepodcast⁠

Email: [email protected]

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 67. I discuss Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a mental health diagnosis characterized by obsessions, compulsions, or both. I cover what symptoms OCD is associated with, diagnosis, and treatment. I also speak on some of the subtypes of OCD, including postpartum OCD, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), hoarding disorder, and trichotillomania (TTM).

Visit First Line’s website and blog: https://www.firstlinepodcast.com⁠

For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use link: ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code: firstline

Instagram: @firstlinepodcast

Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/firstlinepodcast⁠

Email: [email protected]

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 66. I discuss topics important for women, including prevention and screening for cervical cancer (pap smear and HPV vaccines), breast cancer (mammography/mammogram), and osteoporosis. Learn what to expect when you go for a well-woman exam, specifically the physical exam portion (breast exam and pelvic exam).

Note: I use the terms female and woman; however, the information applies to all individuals with breasts, a uterus, etc.

Visit First Line’s website and blog: https://www.firstlinepodcast.com⁠

For a discount off your TrueLearn subscription use link: ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code: firstline

Instagram: @firstlinepodcast

Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/firstlinepodcast⁠

Email: [email protected]

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 65. What is the difference between opioids and opiates? What types of substances are considered opioids? Are opioid pain medications addicting? What are the complications of opioid use? How is opioid use disorder treated (including with medications and other strategies)?

Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com

For a discount on your TrueLearn subscription use link: ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code: firstline

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 64. What are vaccines, and how do they cause immunity? Learn about different types of vaccines, including inactivated (killed) vaccines, live attenuated vaccines, toxoid vaccines, mRNA vaccines, and vector (carrier) vaccines. I specifically discuss the importance of influenza (the flu) vaccines I also briefly discuss COVID vaccines and recommendations for a booster.

Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com⁠⁠

Instagram: @firstlinepodcast

Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/firstlinepodcast⁠

Email: [email protected]

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 63. Topics covered include psychoanalysis, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), psychodynamic psychotherapy, and interpersonal therapy. I also answer some commonly asked questions:

• What types of mental healthcare workers provide these types of therapy (counselors, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists)?
• What is the difference between these types of providers?
• How do I find providers in my area?
• Can I select a provider based on my diagnosis or preferred psychotherapeutic modality?

Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com⁠⁠For a discount off your TrueLearn subscription use link: ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code: firstline

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 62. I talk about the most common types you are likely to encounter if you see a counselor, a therapist, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist.

The following topics are covered:

• Supportive therapy (counseling)- best for depression, anxiety, and crises
• Cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)- best for depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related disorders, personality disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders
• Motivational interviewing (MI)- best for depression, lifestyle changes, substance use disorders
• Group therapy- best for personality disorders, grief, substance use disorders, chronic medical conditions
• Family therapy- best for grief and diagnoses that often affect the family unit (schizophrenia, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and depression)
• Couples therapy- best for crises, communication issues, and sexual disorders

Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com⁠⁠For a discount off your TrueLearn subscription use link: ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code: firstline

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.

Episode 61. Learn more about the thyroid gland and what it does. I explain low thyroid hormone (underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism), including what it looks like and its causes. I also discuss the symptoms and causes of high thyroid (overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism).

How are these disorders treated?

How can stress affect the thyroid gland?

Visit First Line’s website and blog: ⁠https://www.firstlinepodcast.com⁠⁠For a discount off your TrueLearn subscription use link: ⁠https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/firstline/⁠ and code: firstline

Content on First Line is for educational and informational purposes only, not as medical advice. Views expressed are my own and do not represent any organizations I am associated with.