71. The interaction between complex chronic disease and mental health
Speaking with Dr. Eleanor Stein about the many challenges treating Lyme disease.
In this podcast, we talk with Dr. Eleanor Stein. Dr. Stein is a medical doctor and psychiatrist. The course of her career in academic medicine took a sudden turn when she developed myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and environmental sensitivities in 1989 during her psychiatry residency. She experienced the same lack of informed care that so many face and as a result made the decision to focus her practice on chronic complex diseases.
Since then, she has devoted her career to learning about these conditions and has worked closely with thousands of patients integrating conventional and integrative approaches to help them improve their health and function.
Dr. Stein retired from medical practice at the end of 2022 to devote her time to sharing what she has learned over the past 35 years. Through her website www.eleanorsteinmd.ca, she provides free resources and paid courses.
Topics discussed
1:40 Dr. Stein’s personal journey with ME/CFS and environmental sensitivities
5:44 Insights on her diagnosis of depression as a woman and gender imbalance in diagnosis of chronic illness
6:55 How Dr. Stein’s personal experience helped to inform her to better treat patients with similar illnesses
9:28 The complex interplay between physical, mental, and environmental factors in illness
11:35 Common misconceptions about Lyme disease encountered in Dr. Stein’s practice
12:00 Robert Naviaux’s work and the cell danger response
14:58 Helping Lyme disease patients cope with their own situations with the Fennell 4 Phase Model
19:43 Acceptance without resignation
21:00 The interaction between Lyme disease and mental health
22:56 Dr. Stein’s experience getting Lyme disease testing for patients
25:02 Lyme disease awareness increasing and knowledge in veterinary medicine
25:49 Advice for someone newly diagnosed with Lyme disease
27:37 Pacing, energy management, post exertional malaise, and spoon theory
29:41 The importance of avoiding energy crashes
30:19 Lifestyle modifications for chronic illness recommended by Dr. Stein
