Episode 2 (Season 2) What is Mental Illness? Guest: Dr. Andrea Kim

About our Guest:
Dr. Andrea Kim (https://dallas-psychiatrist.com) is a board-certified psychiatrist in Dallas, Texas, who approaches mental health in a holistic manner that includes mind, body, and soul. Psychiatrists are trained physicians who specialize in the mind/brain, the normal and abnormal in human behavior, and in mental illnesses. Dr. Kim provides collaborative care with the client, family, and other mental health and medical providers to implement a treatment plan to help clients feel better, mentally and physically, make progress, and change in their lives. She has a special interest in the connection of faith and spirituality with mental health and believes in individualized care, where the focus is not on a diagnosis but on the client as a unique person and the symptoms you are experiencing.

About the Host:
A graduate of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Mark Davis came to PCPC as our Youth Pastor in 2003 and became our Senior Pastor in 2009. He and his bride, Kristina, met at a Young Life Camp in 1988 and have five amazing kids, Kara (and husband, Drew), Madalyn (and husband, Jack), Cayden, Esther Kate, & Samuel. Mark is a closet Architect and fountain pen apologist…don’t get him started!

About the Episode:
In this episode of Deep Light, we will discuss what psychiatry looks like from a patient’s perspective and for the supporting role. Reverend Davis and Dr. Andrea Kim walk through the role of a psychiatrist versus a therapist/counselor as well as the relationship between depression, anxiety, grief, and sadness. Dr. Kim shares what treatment plans can look like including talk therapy and helps us understand how medication works.

Strong leaders such as Winston Churchill have even struggled with Mental Health and often referred to his periods of intense and prolonged depression as his “black dog.” March 2020 has affected almost everyone.

Suspecting you or a loved one has a mental illness is a scary, anxious time. There are more questions than answers. You may be wondering the following: What does mental illness mean? What does my future look like? What about my goals and dreams? How can I get better? How will this impact my relationships with loved ones? What about my children, if I have any, will they have a mental illness, too?

Although there is much uncertainty, you do not have to be alone in this process. There are trained professionals to help walk with you through this, in many different, but important, aspects. Psychologists, therapists, social workers, testing and assessment professionals all make invaluable contributions toward bettering your understanding of your situation and providing guidance for the present and the future.

Tune in to understand more about mental health and bonus tips on when to shop at Costco and the best Korean restaurant in town!

Resources:
Dr. Kim’s practice: Andrea Kim MD | Dallas Psychiatrist & Telepsychiatry
If you’re having trouble getting in to see someone for help, get on a waitlist, keep calling, ask who they recommend, consider telepsychiatry, see what your insurance or your employer may recommend. Don’t give up.

Verse:
And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. - 1 Peter 5:10

(music license ASLC-14EAD3E0-84F34F4276)