Doctor Psychobabble

“I can’t seem to face up to the facts
I’m tense and nervous and I
Can’t relax
I can’t sleep ’cause my bed’s on fire
Don’t touch me I’m a real live wire

Psycho Killer
Qu’est Que C’est
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away
Psycho Killer
Qu’est Que C’est
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better
Run run run run run run run away”

- Lyrics to “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads

I am post-call and just got home from the hospital. A lovely 13-hour day. I’ve recently made the decision that consultation-liason psychiatry, AKA psychosomatic medicine, is my calling. I hope to write more about it soon, but the gist is that the intersection between medicine and psychiatry is what lights my fire.

I saw three patients tonight during my shift. One of them was mute and clearly delirious. Disposition = dialyze STAT. (Sorry for the medical-ease, I’m tired!)

The other two patient were both suffering from incredibly poor sleep, due to two very different reasons. It turns out that sleep is an immensely important aspect of being human. And not sleeping can be both a symptom and a cause of both medical and psychiatric ailments.

One of my patients did not want to stay in the hospital, but I involuntary committed her. The other patient was basically begging to be admitted. And I happily did so.

Both cases were interesting. Both of my interviews involved providing a lot of “luvins” (aka supportive psychotherapy). In both cases I felt like I did something to help. At minimum I provided a tissue to a crying eye. Both patients were at breaking points in their lives. And I will now forever be the doctor who they encountered during their moment of crisis. For better or for worse. I always hope for the better. My job is a gift that I get paid for. Fa fa fa far better!

Time to devour sushi and read for tomorrow.

And of course, to sleep…how lucky I am that my bed’s not on fire.

Photo: “Talking Heads” at my fave local 99 cents store.