The Inside Scoop to Advocacy in Catatonia
Rachel Sieke, MD
Below is an interview with Dr. Rachel Sieke, a psychiatrist with expertise in Catatonia. Dr. Sieke’s interview is intended to help caregivers and families better understand how to advocate for their loved ones. She will provide a unique perspective because she has both the experience as a physician and her own experience as a patient.
Catatonia is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. There's even more confusion when it comes to children, adolescents, and individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. We've set up this interview with Dr. Sieke to help families and caregivers feel more informed, ask better questions, know when to advocate, and advocate more effectively.
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DISCLAIMER
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This interview is presented by The Catatonia Foundation for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing in this interview constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content is not intended to and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship between viewers and the psychiatrist being interviewed, or between viewers and The Catatonia Foundation or any of its representatives.
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Dr. Sieke, the psychiatrist featured in this interview, is participating in an educational role. Any views expressed are general in nature and do not apply to any specific individual or case. Neither Dr. Sieke nor The Catatonia Foundation is offering clinical recommendations or individualized medical guidance.
The Catatonia Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization. It does not provide medical services or medical advice. The foundation makes no guarantees about the accuracy or applicability of the information shared, and assumes no responsibility for any actions taken based on the content of this interview.
Viewers are strongly encouraged to consult their own qualified medical providers regarding any health concerns or decisions about diagnosis, treatment, or care.
About Dr. Rachel Sieke, M.D.
Dr. Rachel Sieke is an accomplished psychiatrist located in Cleveland, Ohio, renowned for her dedication to enhancing mental health care through a holistic and patient-centered approach. Dr. Sieke sees her primary role as guiding individuals on their journey of self-exploration and empowerment, fostering an environment where patients are encouraged to actively participate in their healing. Driven by the belief that mental health treatment must consider the whole person, she skillfully integrates psychotherapy, lifestyle modifications, community support, and medication when necessary to promote her patients’ overall well-being. Her specific interests include health anxiety and medical trauma, long COVID, substance use disorders, adult ADHD, treatment resistant depression, dissociative disorders, chronic medical illness, borderline personality disorder, mixed bipolar disorder, catatonia, psychedelic assisted therapy, and hormone sensitivity in mood and anxiety disorders.
Dr. Sieke is also a passionate advocate for education and takes pride in teaching and mentoring. She attributes her success (wherever she finds it) to a relentless curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. She is known for having highly effective techniques for developing and maintaining rapport with patients; modeling curiosity and humility to trainees and creating psychologically safe spaces for patients and trainees. She believes that knowledge sharing enriches not only those who receive it but also those who impart it.