As it happens with many healthcare professionals, a propensity towards science, problem-solving, and a wish to make a difference brought me to the field of medicine. A passionate interest in the complexity of the human mind brought me to the field of Psychiatry.
I quickly realized that human life and human existence are much more than a soup of receptors, neurotransmitters, and chemical imbalances. Even if they are the right pills at the right dose, in the right combination, and for the correct diagnosis, the solution is never as simple as swallowing the pill. Still, medication remains a crucial part of the puzzle and, together with therapy, can lead to dramatic improvements.
One of the greatest joys of my profession is the moment of achieved improvement when the treatment goal has been achieved, and I am saying goodbye to the patient who is moving on and does not need me anymore. Sometimes it is a relapse, illness exacerbation, or maybe a completely different problem or a whole new set of life circumstances that brings people back to me. On and off, there are people I have worked with for many years, and it is very important to be clear that you are always welcome, no matter if you need to come back for the first or maybe the hundredth time.
This is the reality of life, and I remain available to you, but my goal in every treatment process is that moment when we acknowledge that you are well and that you do not need to see me anymore. That is the moment of joy when, with a big smile on my face and a playful tone in my voice, I will say, 'I never want to see you again,' and you will understand that I simply wish for you to stay well and not need a doctor ever again."
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