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Speak Up For Your Health: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Archelle Georgiou, MD
Advocating for your health is important, but it’s not easy. In Speak Up For Your Health, Dr. Archelle Georgiou talks with patients about how they overcame feeling intimidated by today’s complex medical system and used their voice to finally get the care they needed. These personal stories along with Archelle’s practical tips will empower you to have a balanced (non-paternalistic) relationship with your healthcare provider.
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- 1 weeks ago31 min
High-Functioning but Exhausted: The Face of ADHD in Women
What does ADHD actually look like in a high-functioning adult woman? Not hyperactivity — more often, it looks like exhaustion. The kind that comes from working twice as hard just to keep up. Athena Hays was 34 when she was finally diagnosed. As a successful entrepreneur and founder of her own photography business, nothing about her life looked like the textbook picture of ADHD. But behind the scenes, she was running on compensation strategies, anxiety, and a brain that never stopped. If you've ever wondered whether you might have ADHD — or you know a woman who seems to have it all together but always seems depleted — this conversation is for you. In this episode: Why ADHD in women is so frequently missed — even by physicians What a thorough adult ADHD evaluation actually looks like How to find a psychiatrist and what to ask before starting medication What your pharmacy benefit may not be telling you about the cost of your prescription Key Takeaways: A diagnosis matters only if it changes your treatment options. If it opens a door to something that actually helps — medication, therapy, a behavioral change — it's worth pursuing. If you're functioning well and a label won't change how you're treated or how you treat yourself, you don't need one. Ask about all your treatment options before you leave the appointment, including the tradeoffs. That conversation is much easier to have in the office than after you've started down a path. Before you go to the pharmacy, log into your insurer's member portal and use their drug cost comparison tool — search by the generic name, that's usually how it's listed. Knowing the cost in advance means you can discuss alternatives with your doctor or find a coupon if that makes sense for your situation. Talk about mental health — because mental health is mental wellness. Links Connect with Athena: https://www.empiriastudios.com/ You can follow and/or get in touch with Archelle by ArcHealth newsletter Read Archelle's insights on Substack (@archealth) #MentalHealth #ADHD #HealthAdvocacy #WomensHealth #ADHDWomen #SpeakUpForYourHealth
- 3 weeks ago32 min
A Hidden Condition Affecting 1 in 20 People—and the Shame Behind It
For over 20 years, Aneela Idnani hid a condition affecting 1 in 20 people—trichotillomania, a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) driven by the brain, not choice. After her husband discovered her secret, she turned that moment into a mission—building a device to help others interrupt these behaviors and reclaim control. Then came a breast cancer diagnosis, and a powerful shift: learning to listen to her body instead of fighting it. Aneela talks about what it really takes to move from shame to self-awareness. Key Takeaways Body-focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) are repetitive pulling, picking, biting, or scraping of the hair, skin, nails, lips, or cheeks. If this sounds familiar for you or someone you love, let them know that they can get help. One helpful resource is the TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors. Here's a link: https://www.bfrb.org/what-are-bfrbs BFRBs are not self-harm. BFRBs are not self-harm. They're the brain's attempt to self-soothe and return to a state of calm. That distinction matters because the treatment is different. A mental health professional who specializes in BFRBs is the right first call. And for some, a wearable device can help bridge the gap between unconscious habit and conscious awareness. Dance with your challenges. Don't fight them. Meeting a health condition or any hard thing with curiosity rather than resistance changes what's possible. Stress doesn't cause cancer, but it does matter. There's no direct causal link between stress and cancer, but chronic stress affects sleep, immunity, and daily choices in ways that add up. Shame thrives in silence. Aneela hid her condition for over 20 years. What finally shifted things was driven by awareness, then connection, then community. Connect with Aneela and learn more about her story and BFRB Pre-order her book, "Aneela, Where Are Your Eyebrows?" Link to Habit Aware. A Keen bracelet might be a helpful device. You can follow and/or get in touch with Archelle by Subscribing to the ArcHealth newsletter Following Archelle on Substack Instagram Facebook #MentalHealth #Trichotillomania #BFRB #HealthAdvocacy #PatientAdvocacy #WomensHealth #BreastCancerAwareness #ListenToYourBody #MindBodyConnection #SpeakUpForYourHealth
- Apr 28, 202636 min
High-Functioning Alcoholic: A Healthcare Executive’s Journey to Sobriety
Have you ever wondered if you drink too much? Regardless of your answer, just asking yourself that question deserves a pause because nearly 30 million Americans have alcohol use disorder — and many are “high-functioning” – succeeding professionally while quietly struggling. In this episode, former healthcare executive Noel Rihm shares her 25-year battle with alcoholism and the realization that changed everything: alcohol wasn’t the problem — it was the solution to deeper pain. This conversation will challenge how you think about addiction, sobriety, and your own relationship with alcohol. Key Takeaways Being high functioning doesn't mean you're okay. High performers are especially good at masking serious struggle. If you've ever questioned your relationship with alcohol, that question itself is worth paying attention to. For some people, alcohol isn't the problem. It's the treatment. If alcohol is being used to manage anxiety, trauma, or emotional pain, addressing the drinking alone may not be enough. There is no one size fits all approach to recovery. If a treatment intervention isn't working, it doesn't mean you've failed. It may mean the treatment isn't right for you. Also, the motivation for real change has to come from within. You can support someone, but you cannot force them to heal before they're ready. Addiction doesn't just affect the individual. It affects everyone around them. Living with or working alongside someone with addiction can create its own form of stress and trauma. Healing often needs to extend beyond just the individual. To Learn More About Noel and Kaleidoscope: Read Noel's book, Sober With A Twist Learn about the services that Kaleidoscope provides: https://kaleidoscope68.org/ You can follow and/or get in touch with Archelle by Subscribing to the ArcHealth newsletter Following Archelle on Substack Instagram Facebook
- Apr 28, 202630 min
He Chose Surgery At A Hospital Known For Poor Outcomes–Here's Why
Choosing a hospital for cardiac surgery is one of the most important decisions a patient can make — and most of us do it wrong. Health policy analyst Paul Keckley, PhD has spent 45 years studying the U.S. healthcare system. Then he became a patient. When he was diagnosed with a 95% coronary artery blockage, he made a decision that shocked everyone around him: he chose to have his quadruple bypass at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina — a facility with four safety citations and mounting community outrage over its for-profit owner, HCA. He wanted to experience the hospital firsthand and assess the criticism himself. What he found was the full spectrum of American hospital care — fragmented, understaffed, and in moments, exceptional. And after living it from the inside, his biggest takeaway wasn't about the hospital. It was about us. Key Takeaways: Research your surgeon independently. Try to find data on their outcomes, meet them in person, and ask the tough questions. Own your own medical records. Know how to use the portal for every health system where you receive care so your records are always at your fingertips. Expect the hospital to get you through surgery. Expect the rest to be on you. Coordination of care after discharge between hospitals, specialists, and rehab programs is where the system routinely falls short. Plan for that gap. Build your support system before you need it. Caregiver support is critical. Learn how to be a patient. Paul's biggest takeaway after 45 years is that personal accountability is the most under leveraged force in American healthcare, and we never teach it. Start now. Links: To connect with Paul, I highly recommend subscribing to The Keckley Report, a weekly in-depth analysis and updates on industry trends and insights. To connect with Archelle, you can Subscribe to the ArcHealth newsletter Follow Archelle on Substack, Instagram, and Facebook
- Mar 24, 202632 min
He Was a Wellness Expert—Then a Skiing Accident Changed His Definition of Health
He spent his career teaching people how to be healthy—until a skiing accident forced him to live it. Dr. Seth Serxner, a leading expert in health literacy and workplace wellness, went from running six miles a day to fighting his way back from a devastating crash and life-threatening injuries. In this episode of Speak Up For Your Health, Seth and I talk about what happens when a wellness expert becomes the patient—why self-advocacy matters, what recovery really takes, and whether it truly takes a crisis to change your health. Kay Takeaways You have to advocate for yourself, even if you're receiving great care. Details matter and care is complicated. And, when you're really sick, you may not be in a position to process information or make decisions clearly. So have an advocate, someone who can ask questions and think on your behalf. Speak up about whether you're truly ready to be discharged. Just because the medical team says you're ready doesn't always mean that you are. Being ready means you have a clear plan regarding who your medical team will be when you get home, what support you'll need from family or caregivers, and knowing what equipment you may need at home to be safe. Be adherent to your treatment plan. Don't blindly following medical advice, but if a plan makes sense to you, then you own it. Recovery often depends on what you do after you leave the hospital. Real behavior change starts with purpose. Finding your purpose is often as simple as answering the question, "why should I even bother?" Surround that purpose with connection and a positive outlook. Links Seth's book: The Wellbeing Effect: Bite-Sized Practices for Busy People to Lead Happier, Healthier Lives Seth's podcast: :Health Literacy 2.0 Podcast Connect with Archelle Subscribe to the ArcHealth newsletter Follow Archelle's Substack Instagram Archelle_GeorgiouMD
- Mar 10, 202633 min
Why Breast Pumping Is So Hard for Moms (And What Helps)
Why do so many moms struggle with breast pumping? In this episode, researcher and mom Ashley Mooneyham shares her breastfeeding journey, explains the science behind milk supply and pumping, and discusses how new innovations — including her company Momease — aim to make breastfeeding and pumping easier for nursing and working moms. Key Takeaways Breastfeeding has benefits — but the decision belongs to the mother. Breast milk provides important nutritional advantages for babies, but each mom should decide if she wants to breastfeed and how long she wants to continue based on what is right for her. No judgement. Breastfeeding is hard — and pumping can be even harder. Breast pumps rely almost entirely on suction, while nursing a baby involves many other cues — warmth, touch, pressure, and emotional connection — that help the body release milk. Technology supporting pumping hasn’t kept pace with what we know about how breastfeeding actually works. Innovation is finally beginning to address that gap. Momease is translating that research into a device designed to bring some of those tactile cues into the pumping experience. There are practical strategies moms who are breast feeding can try right now. Adding warmth with a hot compress, gentle breast massage, and staying well hydrated can help stimulate milk flow and may improve pumping results. Breastfeeding can affect mental health — and that deserves attention.One condition that more women are beginning to recognize is dysphoric milk ejection reflex (or D-MER) — a sudden wave of negative emotions that can occur when milk is released. It’s a physiologic reflex, not a personal failing. Moms should be aware of how they’re feeling and talk to their doctor if they have this experience. Taking care of the mother matters too. A mother’s physical comfort, emotional wellbeing, and sense of support are important. Supporting moms ultimately supports babies, too. To Learn More About Momease: Check out the website: https://www.momeasesolutions.com/pumping-bra If you are breastfeeding/pumping and want to be a tester, you can apply by using this linking here You can follow and/or get in touch with Archelle by Subscribing to the ArcHealth newsletter Following Archelle on Substack Instagram Facebook #Breastfeeding #WomensHealth #BreastPump #NewMomLife #Postpartum
- Feb 24, 202633 min
Mystery Diagnosis: 20 Years of Not Being Believed
What happens when it takes 20 years to get the right diagnosis — and along the way, doctors (and even your family) don’t always believe you? In this episode, we explore Eva Minkoff’s delayed diagnosis, the reality of invisible illness, and the emotional toll of not being seen in the healthcare system. Eva shares her journey to being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that causes chronic joint pain, dislocations, and fatigue. Her symptoms began when she was a young ballet dancer. But for nearly two decades, she lived in diagnostic limbo — receiving partial answers, normal test results, and, at times, skepticism from both clinicians and family members. The lessons from this episode go beyond one rare condition: Answers matter — even when they’re not good news. If you feel dismissed, it’s okay to keep looking. Being believed can be as powerful as being diagnosed. Live by your own owner’s manual — and teach your children to do the same. How to follow Eva Minkoff: Instagram: @Life_Of_Eves LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/evalana Website: https://boldbeing.co/ Connect with Archelle Subscribe to the ArcHealth newsletter Follow Archelle's Substack
- Feb 3, 202634 min
Medical Aid in Dying: A Daughter’s Story from Inside the Room
A physician-daughter shares what it was like to be in the room when her father chose Medical Aid in Dying. This episode offers a clear, first-person look at how MAID works and what families experience in those final moments. In this deeply personal and illuminating episode, physician and gastroenterologist Dr. Mandy Powell shares her family’s experience with Medical Aid in Dying (MAID)—also known as Medical Assistance in Dying—through the lens of being both a daughter and a doctor who was in the room when it happened. Mandy recounts the story of her father, Dr. Ron Gruber, a prominent plastic surgeon in the San Francisco Bay Area, whose second battle with metastatic bladder cancer led him to carefully choose how—and when—his life would end. After a rapid decline marked by repeated hospitalizations and worsening quality of life, Ron elected to pursue MAID under California’s End of Life Option Act. Over the course of four extraordinary days, Mandy and her family experienced what she describes as a “living funeral”—a time filled with phone calls to lifelong friends, shared memories, and honest goodbyes. On the final morning, Mandy was present as her father self-administered the prescribed medication, offering a rare, first-person account of what Medical Aid in Dying actually looks like in real life. This conversation offers a humane, clear-eyed look at an end-of-life option that is legal in California, 11 other states, and the District of Columbia, and one that more families and clinicians are beginning to talk about openly. Resources about Medical Aid in Dying, including educational materials from Death With Dignity, are linked in the show notes. Links/Resources Death with Dignity Advance Directives - forms by state (free by AARP) Connect with Archelle Subscribe to the ArcHealth newsletter Follow Archelle's Substack
About Speak Up For Your Health
Advocating for your health is important, but it’s not easy. In Speak Up For Your Health, Dr. Archelle Georgiou talks with patients about how they overcame feeling intimidated by today’s complex medical system and used their voice to finally get the care they needed. These personal stories along with Archelle’s practical tips will empower you to have a balanced (non-paternalistic) relationship with your healthcare provider.
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