Ask The Expert - Florida Neuroscience Center Blog

By Dr. Gabriela Cora

In some studies, only about 70% of patients took medications as prescribed by their physician, despite almost all of them claiming to have followed instructions as given. Although as physicians we realize there may be difficulties in buying your medication or in following up our recommendations, we also want to ensure we can help you in the best possible way. As doctors, we understand that you may feel uncomfortable sharing very private information that may even make you blush. On the other hand, you have trusted us to help you recover and feel better than you felt before you came to us.

(more…)

By Dr. Gaby Cora

October 10^th is National Depression Screening Day.

The current economic and financial crisis has created increased pressure on all of us. As many struggle with the uncertainty of whether or not they will continue to have a job, others deal with the challenges of laying people off, many of whom may have been colleagues and friends. With stress reaching epidemic numbers, many struggle with staying healthy during rough times. Stress affects the most vulnerable systems: some people will experience frequent migraine headaches, whereas others will develop gastrointestinal problems, and others will have high blood pressure. Stress may trigger panic attacks in some people and will affect others with clinical depression.

(more…)

By Dr. Gaby Cora

I continue to be the doctor who integrates every technique that can be helpful as I help people on the path to well-being: with psychotherapy (particularly cognitive-behavioral and with a coaching style), pharmacotherapy (when necessary), and through coaching people through lifestyle strategies. I teach people relaxation techniques so that they can implement these on a regular basis. I continue to find the use of regression techniques very practical and would like to share some lessons learned:

(more…)

By Dr. Gaby Cora

Much has been written about the similarities and differences between being a coach and a therapist.

While the medical model has been invaded by third party payers, time restrictions, and stigma, the coaching model is viewed as a process of improvement and has boomed as an alternative. Today’s coach is yesterday’s shrink.

(more…)

By Dr. Gaby Cora

Many people who come to see me as an expert in mood and anxiety disorders have been referred to me by colleagues at the National Institutes of Health or the American Psychiatric Association. Many other people who find me are interested in my credentials and, they say, by the unique combination of being a medical doctor with an MBA, a wellness coach, and the business experience. Most of those who come to see me as an expert pharmacologist are open to exploring their concerns with additional techniques. They often start feeling comfortable revealing additional interests and seem to be nicely surprised when they realize I am open to combining as many techniques as I can to help them out.

(more…)

By Dr. Gaby Cora

I was interviewed by Miami Herald journalist, Andres Oppenheimer, to participate on a panel for his Spanish-speaking show: Oppenheimer Presenta. He interviewed Brian Weiss, psychiatrist and author of Many Lives, Many Masters, and, my favorite, Only Love is Real. Dr. Weiss is best known as the “guru” of past life regressions. He graciously suggested me to Mr. Oppenheimer to participate in his show.

(more…)

Yesterday I was interviewed on behalf of the American Psychiatric Association by NBC6 Health correspondent Diana Gonzalez about the controversial reality show: “Baby Borrowers.” I had previously watched a disconcerting commercial a few days earlier, showing the despair of little ones as they cried, vomited, or were about to be crushed by falling furniture as teenage couples struggled to care for them, also in despair. A brief clip of what I said was aired (30 seconds, maybe?) out of a twenty-minute long interview. I had a lot more to say:

(more…)

Many who fear they have lost part of their wealth these days of high oil prices, frozen wages, and increased cost of living, also feel like they are losing their minds. Our response to stressful situations is a combination of our genetic make-up and our response to environmental triggers. Some of us will shoot our physiology to the roof with a good dose of norepinephrine in the fight-or-flight response to this stressor, experiencing a wide range of physical symptoms including heart palpitations, clammy hands, dizziness, or a sense of impending doom with fear.

(more…)