Recently I have been aware of the role of truth telling in patient care. The truth heals, but it is uncomfortable, which is why we go to great lengths to avoid it.

Truth often needs to be revealed to us by someone else. This is why having long-term, loving and challenging relationships is a critical part of maturation.

My husband does this for me when we share a ‘compliment and critique’ in the evenings. It is a great gift, even though it is often very painful.

Sometimes this gift is not given to us, or we repeatedly reject truth. For these times, we eventually end up sick or at a doctor.

In a naturopathic clinic, patients present with issues of headaches, GI upset or ‘stress.’ Within a short time, it becomes apparent that their issues are actually shame, guilt, loneliness or long-suppressed disappointment, all stemming from a lack of truth.

Per Sigmund Freud, “being entirely honest with oneself is a good exercise.” I believe this ‘good exercise’ can have a larger impact than any naturopathic modality I offer.

To demonstrate this, I intended to relay a recent patient encounter. Unfortunately, as I did, I realized it might violate the confidentiality laws to which I am bound.

Since legal fees are burdensome, I will instead use the time to turn the painful eye inward and reflect on the areas of my life in which I am not facing the truth.

I can attest as a friend, wife, neighbor and (especially for a) future doctor, that it is critical to heed the famous instruction of Matthew 7:5, and understand that I am the hypocrite referred to who must “first take the log out of your own eye; and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

To that regard, and as a call to adventure, Jordan Peterson says it best: “Whatever happens as a consequence of telling the truth is the best thing that can happen.”

What a fearsome proposition! Do you heed the call? I certainly don’t, but I desire to and aim to get closer daily.

For more information about NUHS’ Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program, click here.