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

In Episode #136 of the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast, Dr. Kerry Reller sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Gary Liu to explore anxiety, depression, ADHD, and why evidence-based care matters. Dr. Liu shares how avoidance fuels anxiety, explains exposure therapy with his memorable “taco analogy”, and reminds us that medication is just one tool—finding meaning, community, and exercise are equally powerful for mental health.

Key Takeaways

• Evidence-Based Psychiatry Matters: Medications should be prescribed based on strict diagnostic criteria and scientific evidence, not just symptoms alone.

• Avoidance Strengthens Anxiety: Short-term relief from avoiding fears can make them more powerful over time. Facing fears gradually (through exposure therapy) retrains the brain to reduce anxiety.

• The Taco Analogy 🌮: Just like eating your favorite food gets less exciting after repeated exposure, anxiety responses decrease when you face fears consistently.

• Innate vs. Learned Fear: Some fears are hardwired, while others—like PTSD triggers—are learned. Both can be addressed with the right approach.

• Meaning is Medicine: Depression often reflects a lack of fulfillment in life’s “buckets”—family, friends, community, spirituality, or purpose. Filling these areas brings resilience.

• Exercise is a Natural Antidepressant: Movement boosts mood immediately and protects long-term independence. If exercise came in pill form, it would be the most prescribed medication in history.

• Reach Out, Don’t Isolate: Depression pushes us to withdraw, but connection with others is one of the most healing steps we can take.

Conclusion

Dr. Liu reminds us that there is no single “magic bullet” in mental health. Instead, healing comes from a thoughtful mix of evidence-based treatment, therapy, exercise, and meaning-filled living. By gently facing fears and nurturing connections, we can move toward resilience and lasting well-being.

About Our Guest

Dr. Gary Liu is an adult psychiatrist and physician-scientist based in South Tampa. After earning his MD/PhD at Baylor College of Medicine and completing a psychiatry residency at the University of Pennsylvania, he founded Eve Psychiatry. Dr. Liu integrates neuroscience research with compassionate, whole-person care, helping patients manage anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more.