Paul R. Puri, MD

Founder of WellDAO & Assistant Clinical Professor @UCLA | Bridging Medicine, Storytelling, and Innovation to Transform How We Understand the Human Mind

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

Humans have always healed in connection with others. At WellDAO, we’re exploring pseudonymous peer communities with reputation scores to build trust & accountability. Can virtual communities support mental health? What’s your experience? #MentalHealth #CommunityBuilding

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

Mental health struggles rarely appear overnight. They start as small warning signs we dismiss or explain away. These signals aren’t failures. They’re feedback that something may need attention or support. Scroll for 5 early signs to watch for. #MentalHealth #Therapy #RedFlags

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

Self-compassion isn’t lowering your standards. It’s strengthening your ability to carry them. Most of us have an internal tug-of-war between pushing & resting. When we respond with self-criticism, we create exhaustion, not growth. Explore why in my blog: https://t.co/SHVKP128OJ

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

Early in my career, I was struck by how often therapy is framed as if there’s one “right” method. People are far too complex for that. The most meaningful progress happens when we integrate multiple approaches & treat the whole person, not just a diagnosis. #MentalHealth

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

I’ve always been a storyteller. But they don’t just entertain us. They heal us. In clinical work, stories reduce stigma. A label feels distant, but a story invites understanding. I explore why storytelling is such a powerful antidote to stigma: https://t.co/ZQOJVs542M

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

@DrDimitrios Completely agree. Being able to say “I don’t know” just means you’re staying honest and open to learning. That’s what actually makes someone better at what they do.

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

@DrLaPook can I reach you to discuss a possible story you might be interested in?

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

@WSJ It’s true—having more men in psychology could help boys and men feel seen and understood. The field benefits when it reflects the diversity of those it serves, and I hope we continue to encourage men to join and shape mental health care.

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

@allie__voss This is true to an extent. Excessive introspection often fuels depression and anxiety, trapping the brain in thinking loops. So shifting focus outward through action, connection, or activity is usually more effective than overanalyzing feelings.

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

Emotional resilience isn’t something you either have or don’t have. It’s built over time. It’s not about toughness, it’s about recovery and how steadily you return to baseline after stress. Daily habits shape that capacity more than breakthroughs do. #MentalHealth #Resilience

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

We talk about innovation in mental health constantly. Yet for many, the system still feels fragmented & outdated. The issue isn’t a lack of tools. It’s a lack of systems-level alignment. I explore what’s next & what needs to change in my latest blog: https://t.co/0glzjF2bZX

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

Therapy, medication, apps, coaching, peer support, AI tools. We don’t have a shortage of options. We have a matching problem. I explore how better data could improve matching and focus on what actually matters: daily functioning and quality of life: https://t.co/1D6dLGkEcJ

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

We treat our culture’s approach to mental health as the default. Across cultures, distress and healing are understood very differently. Expanding our cultural lens doesn’t weaken care, it strengthens it. What’s a cultural practice around mental wellness we could learn more from?

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

Early in training, a patient called me a “psychio-tron” after I declined to share personal details. We’re trained to be contained and evidence-based. But if that’s all we bring, therapy can feel mechanical. Good care integrates multiple approaches and stays human in the room.

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

What if mental health care had quality control? We rarely track what works over time. At WellDAO, we build feedback loops into care, measure outcomes & refine with data. Think about it. What would therapy look like if we actually measured what works and adjusted accordingly?

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

“Don’t cry over spilled milk” was never meant to shame tears. It can release built-up emotion & signal a need for support. Instead of asking “Should I cry?” try asking: “What do I need right now?” Emotions don’t go away when we dismiss them. They just wait for a different outlet.

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

@BStulberg Choosing presence over passive consumption is now essential for your mind and soul.

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

@Theholisticpsyc Avoiding upset doesn’t prevent problems.

It just buries them.

Eventually, they come back louder than before.

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

@libriscent Expectations don’t hurt until they’re invisible to everyone else but you.

[Paul R. Puri, MD @Truetalkpsycdoc]

@FU_joehudson The more we avoid our own emotions, the more the ego steps in to fill the gap.