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Ep. 38. Running with Ray Horwitz: Evolutionary Psychiatry

Dr. James H. Bramson Interviews Dr. Ray Horwitz.

Drs. Jim and Ray were undergraduate classmates and roommates. As college kids, they bonded over music, psychology, humor, and working out. And now, as seasoned professionals, they both subscribe to the philosophy that good self-care is good client-care.

Dr. Ray is a an accomplished psychiatrist and a man of many talents. He is a skilled musician, a triathlete, and a sought-after teacher. He’s taught classes in medicine at Emory University and in pharmacology for physicians across the country. His clientele ranges from struggling moms to Olympic athletes. And he’s a mensch to boot. Dr. Ray agreed to be interviewed, not for self promotion, but to support other medical professionals and therapists who might stumble or may make avoidable mistakes. Plus he wants to make sure patients are better consumers of psychiatry. He talks about how he will go above and beyond to serve his patients in ways other docs may not. Dr. Ray also kvetches about the challenges of prescribing controlled substances and how it hamstrings physicians.

His natural humor and wisdom shine through when he discusses the evolution of psychiatry, and how it must address a new epidemic: loneliness. We learn that loneliness is as lethal as smoking 15-cigarettes a day. Dr. Ray is concerned that telemedicine may perpetuate a client’s sense of isolation and loneliness. Not sure if it leads to more or less smoking? You decide. To get on the same wave length as Dr. Ray. I suggest you listen to this Podcast while working out, running, biking, lifting weights, etc. (The only way I got him to this was to go on a run with him!) However, he would not recommend that you listen while swimming, doing handstands in yoga, helicopter skiing, or rock climbing…but whatever works.

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