E15: Balancing Family, Medical Education, and ADHD: A Discussion with Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza

Today, we are making invisible things visible for the people of colour, who happen to have ADHD, as also might have families who don't believe they can possibly have ‘mental health’ problems. I am talking to Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza, whom some of you might know as “The Kicks Shrink” on social media, who makes wonderfully educational videos about all kinds of mental health conditions, including what it's like to be a doctor with a ‘brown dad’. 

We talk about: 

• What it’s like being a high achiever with ADHD, including getting through medical school,
• What it was like growing up in a Pakistani Punjabi family with ADHD, 
• How the Sinclair Method helps people reduce problematic alcohol use, 
• What people who have a history of substance use should know about treating their ADHD with stimulant medication. 

Our Guest: Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza, MD is a triple board certified psychiatrist, in adult psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, as well as addiction medicine. He is based out of Northern Virginia and works primarily with children and adolescents through the major hospital system in the area, providing services as the psychiatrist for the adolescent partial hospitalization program, as well as outpatient medication management. He also has his own private practice, LouCouPsych, working with adults with a special interest in ADHD, addictions, depression and anxiety. He also works with the national basketball players association mental health and wellness program, and is available as a provider and resource for the Washington Wizards. If that wasn’t enough, Dr Mirza has been cultivating his presence online with the goal of reducing the stigma around psychiatrists, psychiatry, and mental health discussions as a whole, providing a down to earth and approachable face, which has led to him having nearly 50,000 followers, being interviewed for TIME magazine, and appearing on NBC. 

Find Dr. Mirza: Website | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter | 

Resources mentioned in the show: 

• The Abstinence Myth: A new approach for overcoming addiction without shame, judgement or rules. by Adi Jaffe, PhD. ​
• Check out the ADHD Resource Hub for more info for all parts of the journey. 
• Use the discount code ‘CCPODCAST’ at checkout, for 15% off on DIY*ADHD. 

Find Christina (CRPO #003908): Website | Meet the Team | DIY*ADHD course | 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.