The Health and Healing Narrative

Promoting understanding between people and practitioners.

Charlotte

  • The Day I Learned My Fear Was My Body Trying to Protect Me

    By Inaaya Ashraf Remember that time you were sitting in the waiting room, counting down the minutes until your name was called, and then you finally see your doctor for the blood test results? Something completely normal and common, right? Remember the feeling of butterflies in your stomach. The racing heartbeat. The sweaty palms? And…

  • Living With an Eating Disorder in Midlife: Beyond Judgment and Stereotypes

    By Shubhaa Forrest CONTENT WARNING — This article contains first-person discussion of anorexia, eating disorder behaviours, weight change, calorie restriction, and the psychological impact of long-term illness. Some readers may find this content distressing. Please take care while reading and consider seeking support if this raises difficult feelings. For support and practical guidance, you can…

  • Anorexia: Signs, Symptoms, and Support for Recovery

    CONTENT WARNING — This article discusses anorexia, including symptoms, restrictive eating behaviours, weight loss, and the physical and psychological effects of the disorder. Some readers may find this content distressing. Please take care while reading, and consider seeking support if it raises difficult feelings. What is anorexia? Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental health disorder…

  • Understanding Lab Results: Why “Abnormal” Doesn’t Always Mean Something Is Wrong

    By Dr Alisha Naaz, PharmD For many patients, the most stressful part of a medical test is not the needle, the waiting room, or even the diagnosis. It is the opening of a laboratory (lab) report. A routine blood test is done. A few days later, the results of the report arrive through the NHS…

  • Lift Your Way to Better Health: Why Weight Training Matters at All Ages

    It’s January, and chances are you’ve headed back to the gym, determined to get fitter and stronger—or at least thought about it. I know I have. But as the year goes on, and the days get shorter and darker, it can be surprisingly hard to maintain the same enthusiasm you felt on New Year’s Day.…

  • When the Chatbot Sounds Kinder Than Your Inner Critic: Using AI Without Outsourcing Your Healing

    By Alexander Amatus, MBA There is a particular kind of loneliness that arrives at night. Not the dramatic sort. The quiet one. The one where you’re still functional – you’re paying bills, replying to messages, showing up – but inside you feel frayed at the edges, like your nervous system has been running without a…

  • How to Build Habits That Stick This New Year: The Science of Habit Formation

    Ever pick up your phone to check a notification, only to look up 30 minutes later wondering where the time went? If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. That disappearing time isn’t just poor self-control – it’s a habit. By definition, habits are behaviours we repeat regularly, often without even noticing. Some are helpful, others… less…

  • If Santa Came to Clinic: A Claus for Concern

    Santa. We all know him. The jolly old man with a twinkle in his eye, a belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly, and a workload that would exhaust even the most seasoned professionals – especially with a list that keeps growing year on year. But beyond the festive cheer lies a lifestyle…

  • Holiday Drinking and Hangxiety: Christmas Parties and the Familiar Morning-After Regret

    Today seems like the perfect day to write this article, because I’m sitting here feeling a little sorry for myself. This weekend was our work Christmas do – a night full of laughter, good food, and festive cheer. But by the end of it, all I could feel was tiredness, “hangxiety,” and an overwhelming sense of…

  • 10 Common Vaccine Myths Debunked: Essential Facts Every Parent Should Know

    There’s a lot of misinformation circulating about vaccines, especially online, and it can be hard for parents to separate fact from fiction. From fears about harmful ingredients to concerns about autism, these myths can create unnecessary anxiety. In reality, vaccines are rigorously tested, safe, and one of the most effective ways to protect children from…

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