E136: Dr. Gary Liu on Anxiety, Depression, ADHD & Evidence-Based Psychiatry in Tampa Bay

Welcome to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast with Dr. Kerry Reller! This week, I am joined by Dr. Gary Liu, an adult psychiatrist and physician-scientist who recently opened his private practice in South Tampa. In this episode, we explore the science of mental health, discussing anxiety, depression, ADHD, and how evidence-based psychiatry guides diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Liu explains exposure therapy (with his memorable “taco analogy”), the role of exercise in boosting mental health, and why finding meaning and connection is just as important as medication. Tune in to gain practical insights for managing anxiety and depression and to learn how small steps can build resilience and well-being.Dr. Gary Liu is an adult psychiatrist dedicated towards providing affordable, evidence-based mental health care. He earned his MD/PhD from Baylor College of Medicine, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. As a McNair Scholar, his neuroscience research led to numerous peer-reviewed publications, including his thesis in Nature Communications. Dr. Liu then completed a research-track psychiatry residency at the University of Pennsylvania, where his work focused on the intersection of immune dysfunction and brain health. His research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals across the fields of psychiatry, neuroscience, and developmental biology. Clinically, Dr. Liu has received specialized training in dedicated programs for a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including ADHD, bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis, anxiety, OCD, autism spectrum disorder, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and geriatric psychiatry. He is also trained in multiple therapy modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy. Dr. Liu founded Eve Psychiatry to offer personalized medication management rooted in science.0:28 – Introducing Dr. Gary Liu and his journey from neuroscience research to psychiatry2:19 – How research training shapes evidence-based psychiatric practice7:52 – ADHD diagnosis: strict criteria, misconceptions, and real-life evaluation13:32 – Beyond medication: therapy and behavioral approaches to anxiety and depression14:47 – Exposure therapy explained with the fear hierarchy (and snakes 🐍)20:12 – Dr. Liu’s taco analogy for how the brain adapts to repeated exposure23:12 – Innate vs. learned fears: from mice and cat urine to PTSD in veterans25:22 – “Whatever you avoid, persists”: how avoidance keeps anxiety alive35:50 – Depression, meaning, and the “life buckets” that need to be filled39:04 – Exercise as the ultimate antidepressant and motivation to get movingConnect with Dr. LiuFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19oGvRSedw/?mibextid=wwXIfrX: https://x.com/evepsychiatry?s=21&t=E10_piPHDPqR3nlVLG92SAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/evepsychiatry?igsh=MXdidTIwamxieHhkNA%3D%3D&utm_source=qrConnect with Dr. RellerPodcast website: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou... My linktree: linktr.ee/kerryrellermdLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryrellermd/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterFamilyMedicineInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearwaterfamilymedicine/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kerryrellermdClearwater Family Medicine and Allergy website: https://sites.google.com/view/clearwa...Podcast: https://gethealthytbpodcast.buzzsprou...Subscribe to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon music, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Pandora.