Debunking mental health myths
Dr. Kaveh busts 3 pervasive myths that gaslight his patients and shows how your mental health affects your ENTIRE body... and how it shows under anesthesia
*IV Ketamine, NR, and NAD+ have been used clinically off-label for decades. They are not FDA approved for the treatment of any psychiatric or pain condition. All medical treatments carry risks and benefits that you must discuss with a doctor at Clarus Health to learn if these therapies are right for you.
Can stress actually harm your health, or is it just a minor inconvenience? As an anesthesiologist, I've encountered firsthand how stress can profoundly impact patient health, yet persistent misinformation continues to undermine patients, delay vital treatments, and negatively affect overall wellbeing. In this blog, we debunk the three most common and harmful mental health myths that patients frequently face:
Myth 1: Depression Is Just a Lack of Effort
Depression isn't about "not trying hard enough." It's a serious condition that biologically alters your brain chemistry, affecting pain perception and surgical outcomes. Research clearly shows that patients suffering from major depressive disorder have different pain thresholds and medication requirements, especially during surgery. Anesthesiologists routinely adjust medication dosages and pain management strategies specifically for these patients, highlighting the critical importance of recognizing depression as a legitimate medical condition.
Myth 2: Anxiety Is Merely Nervousness
Anxiety is often dismissed as just being "high-strung" or overly nervous, but it has tangible, measurable effects on your body. Anxiety significantly impacts cardiovascular health, immune system function, and wound healing. This isn't merely about comfort—it's essential medical care. For example, higher anxiety levels can delay wound healing and negatively affect surgical recovery. Recognizing and managing anxiety proactively is vital for both immediate and long-term health outcomes.
Myth 3: PTSD Is Something You Just "Get Over"
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) isn't a condition you can simply "get over." It leads to durable changes in brain anatomy, hormonal balances, and cardiovascular risk. Targeted treatment is crucial, especially surrounding surgical procedures, to ensure patient safety and promote long-term cognitive and cardiovascular health. PTSD sufferers experience measurable changes in brain regions responsible for memory and emotional processing, underscoring the necessity for compassionate, specialized medical care.
Understanding these myths and the truth behind them can empower you and your loved ones to advocate for proper mental health care. Whether dealing with anxiety, depression, or PTSD, recognizing the medical reality of these conditions is the first step toward effective treatment and better overall health.
Find all my references linked in my youtube video.
Anthony Kaveh MD
Dr. Kaveh is a Stanford and Harvard-trained anesthesiologist and integrative medicine specialist. He has over 1,000,000 followers on social media and has guided hundreds of patients throughout transformative healing experiences. He is an authority on Ketamine, NAD, SGB, and genomics-guided therapies. He is a continuing medical education lecturer in the Bay Area.
