E48: Demystifying Mental Health Diagnoses: A Conversation with Dr. Nelson M. Handal

Today I have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Nelson Handal, and we break down some of the mystery behind why it is so important, and also so challenging, to get an accurate diagnosis in mental health today.

We cover:

• How can accurate diagnosis be achieved in mental health?
• What are the challenges of diagnosing and treating comorbid conditions?
• What are some common challenges in doctor-patient communication,
• What are the innovations in mental health we can be excited about?

About our Guest: Dr. Nelson Handal is an adult psychiatrist and Clinical Faculty at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine in Dothan, Alabama. Dr. Nelson M. Handal is the Founder, Chairman, and Medical Director for Dothan Behavioral Medicine Clinic, a large and modern mental health clinic, where about 200 patients are seen daily. He is also the Founder and Medical Director of Harmonex Neuroscience Research where he participated in clinical research as a primary investigator in over 100 clinical trials for the past 16 years. Developing CliniCom® for over 15 years has been for him the most challenging and expensive endeavor, but it led to an article in Forbes in 2018 after CliniCom® was used by thousands of patients around the US. Clinicom was also awarded at the Psychiatry Innovation Lab at the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Handal was invited to testify before the United States House Committee on Veterans’ in reference to this technology.

Resources mentioned in the show: 

• CADDAC: Centre for ADHD Awareness Canada. (2021). Girls and Women with ADHD: our missed forgotten and most vulnerable. 
• Access: Our list of mental health resources and connections, and some free downloads, or low cost counselling in Ontario,
• The OG: The ADHD Resource Hub,
• Use the discount code ‘CCPODCAST’ at checkout, for 15% off on DIY*ADHD.
• Therapists, use the discount code ‘PEBBLE’ at checkout, for 15% off on DIY*ADHD:Couples.

NEW: We made Official Pod Squad Merch! Check it out HERE! ​(100% of the profits from Dig Deeper Merch sales support the FREE psychotherapy program ​operated by Dig A Little Deeper, Psychotherapy & Counselling in Caledon, ON.

Find Christina (CRPO #003908): Website | Find a Therapist | Our Online Courses | Instagram |TikTok

A gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina is not your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted in the Show info and episode notes on the main podcast webpage. 

LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio| AmazonMusic |RSS