Issue #267
Hello there!
(An invitation for those who may have questions for me: Please submit them through the contact section of this article. Emily and I will be responding to your questions in our upcoming podcasts! Our next podcasts will focus on character strengths and virtues, which form the foundation of positive psychology.)
Thom Hartmann's Substack post (June 24, 2026) entitled "If Loneliness is Hunger, then it has a Remedy as Ordinary as a Meal" resonated with me as I navigate a transitional time in my life.
My kids are grown and independent, busily raising their young children. I moved to Stamford, CT, in September 2025, and am settling into a new (and friendly) neighborhood.
I can't lie; as much as my weeks fly by with me busily stamping out mental illness, I knew that I had a problem with loneliness.
Between my divorce in 2012, leaving the Church I inherited from my parents in 2017 (eliminating an entire lifetime of a convenient, but not authentic, social network), the Pandemic, "kids" getting married and busy with infants, and missing the ACEP conference to attend a nephew's wedding reception, etc., my social connections had shrunk to dangerously low levels.
For those who are married and actively participate in a Church community, life can still often feel lonely as one's life diverges from one's spouse. Loneliness is the difference between our need for social connection and what we actually have.
As I reflected on Hartmann's article, I realized that I ought to work harder at making new friends, or the consequences of social isolation will have a greater negative impact on my health no matter how many vitamins or Energy Breaths I take.
This podcast was created because I wanted to focus on this topic and to encourage myself to take it seriously. I'm not preaching to you; I empathize with you.
Emily and I discuss the article and share our reflections on this issue because we have experienced, perhaps more than most people might guess, what it's like to be alone, lonely, and isolated. At the same time, we know that it's possible to build social networks, no matter how old one may be.
I'm proud to say that I took practical steps towards joining neighborhood gatherings and make new friends. It's not easy to do as an introvert!
Recently, I went with a new friend to visit an iconic restaurant in Stamford and listened as she shared about her family and current circumstances. I enjoyed not being a psychiatrist, but just being me, as we chatted about life.
At the end of dinner, she said that if I ever wanted to visit Cove Island Park, we could go walking there on Sundays. Hooray! I tried not to appear too eager, but I will definitely take her up on it. I am curious about the park, and it would be doubly nice to explore it with someone who knows it well. I'm going to bring my camera and see if I can take some natural landscape photos and, of course, the birds!
I wish you success as you explore ways to build your social network too!
Articles on loneliness:
1. Surgeon General: We Have Become a Lonely Nation. It’s Time to Fix That. By Vivek H. Murthy, Surgeon General. New York Times. April 30, 2023.
2. Loneliness poses profound public health threat, surgeon general says. By Fenit Nirappil. May 2, 2023. Washington Post.
3. Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community by Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States. 2023.
4. If Loneliness is Hunger, then it has a Remedy as Ordinary as a Meal by Thom Hartmann, June 24, 2026.
Be sure to subscribe!
Restoring Your Life After Coming Off Psychiatric Medications
Who Am I and How Do I Move Forward?
Coming off psychiatric medications can feel like the end of a long and difficult journey. But for many people, it is also the beginning of a new one.
In this episode, Emily and I talk about what happens after medication withdrawal — when the body has healed, and the symptoms are gone, but the emotional, social, and practical challenges still remain.
We discuss the process of rebuilding confidence, identity, relationships, habits, and daily life after years of psychiatric treatment.
Emily shares her personal experience of feeling free after withdrawal, only to realize that there were still deeper layers to heal, including fear, loneliness, self-doubt, and the need to start over in many areas of life.
We also explore:
The emotional aftermath of psychiatric treatment
Why people may feel anxious even after a successful withdrawal
How medication, symptoms, and the psychiatric system can affect identity
The challenge of rebuilding friendships, work, and purpose
Why self-care habits can slip after recovery
How supplements, energy medicine, rest, and diet can support long-term healing
The importance of patience, compassion, and taking one small step at a time
This conversation is not only about coming off medications. It is about learning how to rebuild one's life after healing from a chronic medical condition.
It is about recognizing what you have survived, giving yourself grace, and moving forward with a life that feels whole, authentic, and free.
Enjoy!
Please come back for more episodes of The Holistic Psychiatrist!
If you've enjoyed this podcast, please give it a five-star review to help spread the word.
Visit holistipsychiatrist.com to contact me and to access more free articles and resources.
It takes time and money to produce these podcasts and videos. To sustain my work as a holistic psychiatrist and support my efforts to improve psychiatric treatment for all through my podcasts, articles, website, and YouTube channel, please show your appreciation and help champion holistic psychiatry by clicking HERE to contribute!
Click here to listen to all of The Holistic Psychiatrist Podcast episodes
Contact here to email Dr. Lee directly.
If you like this podcast, please give it a 5-star rating and share this with others! Thank you!
For more about Dr. Alice W. Lee, please visit:
Website: www.holisticpsychiatrist.com
More stories and insights: Holistic Articles
YouTube: The Holistic Psychiatrist
New! The Holistic Psychiatrist Substack: A space for my opinions and reflections on cultural, political, social, and psychological issues from the perspective of a holistic and integrative child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist.
To schedule consultations or appointments, call Dr. Lee's office at 240-437-7600
Dr. Lee is located near downtown Stamford, Connecticut.
The content provided by this podcast is for informational purposes only and has not been approved by the U.S. FDA. This podcast is not intended to provide personal medical advice, which should be obtained from a medical professional.
