Recovery Archives - Integrative Psychiatry Online, Ron Parks, MD

Collage of pictures with the theme of looking deeper than the accepted medical treatment and diagnoses treatment as with ADHD, NVLD, ASD. Making the right choices for your health.

ADHD: a misdiagnosis, label, or a lost opportunity for the best treatment

Written by Ron Parks, MD on April 25, 2025. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Addiction, Anxiety & Panic, Asperger Traits, Aspie, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Bipolarity, Dyslexia, Mental Health, Neurodiversity, PTSD, Recovery, Trauma. Leave a Comment

ADHD may be a developmental visual-spatial disorder (DVSD)

Apr 24, 2025

Parents conflict over the treatment of their son, diagnosed with ADHD

A close friend and colleague sent me an email asking if I could assist a psychotherapist with a troubled family that needed support from someone knowledgeable in both medication and non-medication approaches. When I spoke with the therapist, it reminded me of the significant polarization regarding the best approach, such as modern medical science versus holistic medicine, as well as the advocacy for more natural and lifestyle interventions. I realized that bridging this gap in a troubled family would be challenging.

In the news today, the same type of conflict steals the headlines, with people railing against science, research, and vaccines that have saved many from the scourges of epidemics, death, and disability. I was one of the fortunate survivors of polio as a child, before the polio vaccine. Yet I know multitudes were not so lucky and were afflicted with lifelong disabilities or died prematurely. The situation surrounding polio and vaccines has been a modern-day miracle for many.

Collage of pictures with the theme of physical, mental, and spiritual challenges during crisis and distressing times.

Keeping Health and Balance in Difficult Times

Written by Ron Parks, MD on March 11, 2025. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Anxiety & Panic, Depression, Happiness, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mental Health, Mood, Non-duality, Nutrition, Personal Growth, Recovery, Relationships, Spirituality & Health. Leave a Comment

An Interview with the astonishing former French Buddhist Monk, teacher, and creator of Mental Health Revolution on Substack. For full audio and video podcast click on link below: https://www.inmindwise.com/p/keeping-health-and-balance-in-difficult

Welcome to Mind Wise, a video podcast and newsletter which presents holistic mental health, healthcare, and wellness perspectives and information.

I am your host, Ron Parks, MD, writer, teacher, and consultant. The following is a transcript of a video podcast interview with Promise of Substack’s Mental Health Revolution: mentalhealthrevolution.org. An astonishing former Buddhist Monk, a teacher, and according to himself, a meditation nerd, a lifestyle medicine advocate, and a misunderstood comedy genius. He has thoroughly studied ancient wisdom, scientific research, psychology, and personal experiments into simple wellness practices for busy people.

He is also a student of positive self-help psychology, and he talks about the programs he has developed, as well as some about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I want to have him introduce himself, say a bit about his journey, and say where he is now. He developed an outstanding, helpful program that I want him to discuss: the Daily Wellness Empowerment Program, DWEP, and CSM. So, go ahead, Promise.

Hurricane Trauma Comes to Idyllic Asheville, NC

Written by Ron Parks, MD on December 7, 2024. Posted in Grief and Loss, Mental Health, Public Health Issue, Recovery, Trauma.

Riverknoll community seeks help after Helene’s devastation.

Dec 06, 2024

_{Hurricane Trauma in Asheville; Survival, Recovery, and Renewal: RRP design with Canva and stock photos—Image of Phoenix Bird rising from the ashes: generated with Copilot AI}

Asheville, Riverknoll, and Hurricane Helene

Asheville was, for many, a haven in the picturesque mountains away from the urban turmoil, catastrophic weather, and social events. Cataclysmic events only seemed to plague other areas. It was one of the top places to come for a vacation or buy a home at its inflated price. Climate change and social turmoil avoided the pristine, Idyllic Western North Carolina college town and mountainous resort-like area. The city and region were never the center of the news media, reporting devastating events—it was always in other places.

A collage of picture about the sleep experience and ways to improve restorative sleep and health.

Sleep is the best guide for health, longevity, and productivity.

Written by Ron Parks, MD on November 30, 2023. Posted in Anxiety & Panic, Commentary on Health and Well-being, Getting Things Done, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Recovery, Sleep.

Monitoring sleep quality can be an invaluable tool in choosing your priorities and be an early warning sign of impending difficulties.

Attention to sleep cues is essential for preserving or restoring health and vitality. Disruptive and perturbed sleep or anxiety dreams and nightmares can portend problems ahead. Dilemmas, indecisions, and conflicts are impediments to productivity and well-being. Disruptive sleep is an indicator of distress levels and a warning that critical life areas need attention. Ignoring unhealthy sleep patterns can have dire consequences now or in the future.

collage of nine pictures with scenes of traumatic events and realization of the way to happiness and thriving.

Unlocking Happiness: A Journey of Recovery and Transformation

Written by Ron Parks, MD on September 12, 2023. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Depression, Happiness, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Personal Growth, PTSD, Recovery, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

Exploring Mental Health, Trauma, and Self-Belief for Personal Growth and Happiness

09/07/2023 Video Podcast, Podcast interview with Rob Hosking

The following are excerpts from my 09-07/2023 Video Podcast, Podcast interview with Rob Hosking, where we delve into the inspiring story of Rob, a former frontline police officer who underwent a profound transformation after his traumatic experiences. Rob’s journey led him to become a motivational speaker, specializing in happiness and mental health. Through sharing his own struggles with depression and mental health, Rob aims to empower individuals to overcome challenges and discover their true potential for happiness and resilience.

Rob’s two main areas of expertise are happiness and mental health. He is a motivational TEDx Speaker on happiness, mental health, and workplace well-being.

A group of pictures depicting help from relationships, getting insight, feedback, and perspective.

Relationships for Growth and Perspective

Written by Ron Parks, MD on April 24, 2023. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Asperger Traits, Aspie, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Creativity, Depression, Dyslexia, Getting Things Done, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, Neurodiversity, Recovery, Relationships, Spirituality & Health, Unique Talent Attributes.

Awareness and receptiveness are essential for wise decisions, perspective, and adaptability.

My valued mentor and the confusing advice

A favorite mentor and advisor, at the end of our final meeting, on my way out from his cozy living room office, with the big glass window looking out on the yard, shaking hands with a big smile, told me, ” Here is my last clinical pearl; never give anyone advice.”

Four pictures of a person meditating in a beautiful ocean setting, a student absorbed in books, a ship on a mystical journey, and a sign of mind full or mindful?

Embracing the essential other for creative fulfillment and well-being

Written by Ron Parks, MD on March 2, 2023. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Meditation/Mindfulness, neuroscience, Non-duality, Personal Growth, Recovery, Spirituality & Health.

Secretes to rejuvenating a stale, unhappy, and unproductive mind.

The stressful trip

I was preparing for a trip with my wife for a job interview halfway across the country at a prestigious university-affiliated hospital. I received calls several times during the prior year from the hospital recruiter. He was interested in me because of my experience in psychiatry and holistic medicine and the fact that I had worked for one of the leading practitioners of holistic medicine. Because interest and demand for complementary and alternative medicine were at an all-time high, his hospital wanted to set up its own unique department. I was considered a good fit for their needs. They offered me a considerable salary with other perks to make it of interest and value to me. My wife and I were ready to change for growth and new experiences, and my son was finishing his college program, so the timing and offer seemed perfect for us. Of course, it depended on their hiring me for the highly valued position.

Four pictures in a frame of two people caught in a storm and flood crisis are balanced by two images representing balance and composure after surviving the crisis. Pictures and composition done in Canva.

Wise actions when feeling overwhelmed or pushed to the limit

Written by Ron Parks, MD on January 18, 2023. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Depression, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, PTSD, Recovery, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

Our life and future happen from the decisive choices and actions we take.

Two terrifying Incidences

To listen to Speechify recording version, click here

In my early life and career, there were two incidences when I thought I would not survive and my future aspirations would be no more. These episodes seemed to happen in the so-called fate of the moment, with the saving grace of surviving a tragic outcome.

One incident reverberated in my mind when I hit the brakes with an almost intuitive decision that reversed what I thought would be a deadly consequence for my wife and me. The near-fatal incident was when I drove south for a vacation with my wife several years after our marriage. We were on a two-lane road with the glow of the future in front of us.

a frame with four colorful pictures suggesting a person having a nightmare with two shots of extremely alarmed people, one hanging from a mountainside, and of a pressure gauge in the red zone

Dreamwork for Insight, Creativity, and Growth

Written by Ron Parks, MD on November 22, 2022. Posted in Anxiety & Panic, Commentary on Health and Well-being, Creativity, Dreamwork, Getting Things Done, holistic mental healthcare, PTSD, Recovery.

The dream is an untapped resource for insight, problem-solving, and self-improvement.

Dreams an Untapped Resource

Dreamwork is a valuable resource and aid in self-help and therapy work. It is a practical and always available tool that supports personal growth, productivity, and mental and emotional health.

Old leather journal on wood plank table with a favorite pen beside.

Journal Keeping for Health and Productivity

Written by Ron Parks, MD on April 26, 2022. Posted in Addiction, Anxiety & Panic, Depression, Getting Things Done, Grief and Loss, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, PTSD, Recovery, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

Purpose, Types, Benefits, and Tips

Journaling is one of the most valuable and accessible self-help tools available.

In times of stress and duress, journaling can help work through some of the most difficult life challenges, such as the death of a spouse with the difficulty that follows.

An award-winning author, grief support advocate, and marketing consultant, Linda Donovan,¹ shares a personal piece about the healing power of journaling in her life as an opening to our exploration of a valuable tool anybody can use. Dr. Parks then continues the narrative about the history and purpose of journaling, how his fascination with it developed, journal types, benefits, eight tips for doing journal keeping, and resources.

Category: Recovery