Healthy Self

12/09/2024

11/28/2024

Breaking Free from Misdiagnosis

When it comes to managing your health, one of the most important factors is the relationship you have with your healthcare provider. This connection, often called a therapeutic alliance, can make or break the effectiveness of your care. I learned this the hard way when I was misdiagnosed with depression. Even though I consistently shared that I wasn’t feeling sad or experiencing typical symptoms of depression, I was placed on heavy medications when my experiences did not shift with therapy. Not only did the treatments fail to help me, but they also made my life more difficult, deepening my frustration and confusion. Looking back, I see how crucial it is to have a provider who listens to and truly understands your experiences.

Continue reading here: https://johmarx.com/healthy-self/newsletter/breaking-free-from-misdiagnosis

11/28/2024

When you hear the word rest, what comes to mind? For most people, it’s sleep—or maybe lounging on the couch after a long day. But rest is so much more than that.

As a health and life coach, I’ve seen how exhaustion can show up in unexpected ways: mental fog, creative blocks, emotional overwhelm, and even a loss of connection to your body or purpose. That’s why I want to share a framework for rest that goes beyond physical recovery.

Continue reading here: https://johmarx.com/healthy-self/newsletter/are-you-resting-the-right-way-discover-the-nine-forms-of-rest

10/16/2024

I was chatting with a friend the other day about how my daily wardrobe switched to sweat suits when I moved back to Detroit.

Learning more about my neurodivergence and what it means for everyday life... And it definitely means that I need to wear comfortable clothes.

I remember when I was a medical student and resident that if I could get away with wearing scrubs, I would. Only reason I liked surgery or ER rotations.

10/16/2024

I have launched Desire Discovery, my sexual health and intimate relationship services and content.

Check out the first article, Sacred Sexuality 101 here:

Sacred sexuality is a simple yet powerful concept: it’s about viewing your sexuality and erotic activity as something sacred and meaningful. It doesn’t require any particular spiritual belief or religious practice. Instead, it’s about bringing intention and mindfulness to your sexual self. Whe...

10/16/2024

Wednesday Wellness Check-in: Breaking Free from Misdiagnosis

When it comes to managing your health, one of the most important factors is the relationship you have with your healthcare provider. This connection, often called a therapeutic alliance, can make or break the effectiveness of your care. I learned this the hard way when I was misdiagnosed with depression. Even though I consistently shared that I wasn’t feeling sad or experiencing typical symptoms of depression, I was placed on heavy medications when my experiences did not shift with therapy. Not only did the treatments fail to help me, but they also made my life more difficult, deepening my frustration and confusion. Looking back, I see how crucial it is to have a provider who listens to and truly understands your experiences.

A strong therapeutic alliance is about trust, collaboration, and respect. If you're seeing a doctor, therapist, or coach, it’s essential that you feel heard and valued. For me, being constantly told that I was depressed, even though that wasn’t how I felt, had a damaging impact on my mental health. It made me doubt myself and question whether I could trust my own feelings and experiences. This is why I encourage everyone, especially those managing complex or long-term conditions, to regularly evaluate their relationship with their healthcare providers.

Start by asking yourself some important questions: Does your provider really listen to you? Do they explain your diagnosis and treatment in a way that makes sense? Are you involved in making decisions about your care? These questions aren’t just important for neurodivergent people like myself—they’re critical for everyone. When you feel unsure about a diagnosis or treatment plan, it’s okay to ask for a second opinion. You have the right to seek out a provider who supports your overall well-being, rather than just checking off symptoms from a list.

It’s also important to reflect on your relationship with yourself. We often assume that our doctors know best, but ultimately, you are the expert on your own body and mind. If something doesn’t feel right, speak up. If a diagnosis doesn’t seem to fit, don’t settle for it. You deserve to be an active participant in your healthcare. A therapeutic alliance should empower you to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and advocate for what you need.

By building a strong alliance with the right healthcare provider, you can take a more active role in managing your health. Whether you’re navigating neurodivergence or any other health condition, don’t be afraid to examine the care you’re receiving and ensure it’s the right fit for you. Trust yourself, and don’t hesitate to seek out the support you truly deserve.

In my own practice as a health and life coach, I make therapeutic alliance a top priority. I believe that every person deserves to feel heard and understood, and I strive to create a safe, collaborative space where my clients can explore their health and wellness goals. Whether you're navigating neurodivergence, or working toward other wellness goals, I'm here to listen and guide you in a way that feels right for you. If you're ready to take the next step in your health journey, I invite you to sign up for a FREE discovery session and see how we can work together to create a plan that fits your unique needs.

Start your journey today. Learn more about coaching programs All of our coaching programs start with a FREE discovery or strategy session. In these private, 1:1 conversations you learn more about the innovative system of support and accountability we provide in our program. These sessions are conduc...

10/09/2024

Do you know someone who needs help with time management, organization, or other aspects of adulting? I am a life coach and help busy people live complete and full lives while pursuing their goals with passion. Click the link for a FREE discovery session and see how my coaching approach can support your path forward. https://johmarx.com/healthy-self/coaching-programs

10/09/2024

Wednesday Wellness Check-in: Adulting with ADHD

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is often misunderstood as simply an issue of focus or hyperactivity, but in reality, it impacts multiple cognitive functions, including organization, memory, and time management. Many people with ADHD, including myself, face challenges daily that can leave them feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.

For individuals with ADHD, external tools and strategies can be a game changer. Things like structured planners, reminder apps, and to-do lists offer ways to compensate for memory lapses or disorganization. Even professional cognitive support such as ADHD coaching or therapy provides much-needed guidance, helping individuals develop personalized techniques that enable them to thrive.

Once I was diagnosed with ADHD, things became much easier. The key for me was recognizing that ADHD isn't something that needs to be "fixed"—it's about finding the right tools to work with how my brain naturally operates. Cognitive support systems helped me organize my life in a way that worked for me, rather than constantly trying to fit into a mold that wasn’t designed for how I function.

Living with ADHD doesn’t have to mean constantly feeling overwhelmed. With the right support, we can navigate life more effectively and make the most of our unique strengths.

This was not to be the end of my journey. But only the beginning. I was managing ADHD as an illness or disability. It would be some time (only recently) before I embraced neurodivergence as an identity. Stay tuned to Wednesday Wellness Check-in this month to learn more about my journey. Share your wellness journey in the comments below.

10/02/2024

This month I decided to explore the health disparities data features on the Healthy People 2030 site.

Understanding health disparities is important for everyone, especially for patients navigating the healthcare system in America. Health disparities refer to differences in health outcomes between different groups of people. These differences often happen because of factors like race, income, education, and where a person lives. For example, studies show that people in low-income neighborhoods often have less access to healthy food and quality healthcare, leading to higher rates of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

Why does this matter to you as a patient? Knowing about health disparities can help you understand why some communities face more health challenges than others. It can also help you ask the right questions when you visit your doctor. For instance, if you are part of a group that is more at risk for certain conditions, you can talk to your healthcare provider about ways to reduce your risks and improve your health outcomes.

It's also important to know that health disparities aren't just about individual choices. The healthcare system itself can sometimes treat people unfairly without meaning to. This is why understanding the data and advocating for better care is so crucial. As patients, being informed about these issues can empower us to ask for more equitable treatment and push for changes in healthcare policies.

By being aware of health disparities and how they affect different communities, we can work toward better health for everyone. Whether it's through educating ourselves, supporting policy changes, or advocating for fair treatment, we all have a role in building a more just healthcare system.

This short video demonstrates how users can navigate to and interact with health disparities data on the Healthy People 2030 site, including filtering and re...

10/02/2024

Cutting Through the Noise: How Healthcare Navigators Can Help

Navigating the healthcare system can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to finding accurate and reliable information. In today’s complex healthcare environment, patients often struggle to figure out what sources to trust and how to make informed decisions. That’s why I believe healthcare navigators are more important than ever.

One of the issues I've noticed is that not all medical journals that claim to be are peer-reviewed. This means that some studies may not be as credible as others, yet they’re being presented as solid evidence. When association staff, who may not have the same level of expertise as independent experts, are participating in “peer reviewing” articles for these journals, it raises concerns about the reliability of the information. How can the average person, or even healthcare professionals, know what sources to trust without proper guidance?

Another challenge is the commercialization of healthcare. For example, when you visit your doctor’s office, you might see ads promoting specific treatments. In an upcoming video I will share a disturbing story about my experience with ad placement by a physician. These ads can be confusing, and it’s not always clear if they’re in your best interest or just part of the clinician’s revenue stream.

These are some of the minor reasons why I believe healthcare navigators are essential. A trusted person who understands the system can help patients sift through the overwhelming amount of information and separate what's trustworthy from what's not. Having a navigator by your side ensures you’re making informed decisions based on reliable data, not marketing gimmicks or questionable sources.

In today’s healthcare environment, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. A healthcare navigator can provide the clarity and support needed to make sense of it all, helping patients advocate for themselves and empowering them to take control of their health. By working together, we can ensure that healthcare becomes more about what’s best for the patient, not what’s most profitable for the system.