Based in Kansas City, Kansas, Christie Mensch practices outpatient psychiatry at the Wyandot Center. Christie Mensch’s range of experience includes treating patients with conditions such as attention-deficit disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety. One of the most common mental health conditions in the United States, social anxiety disorder often carries with it an avoidance of public places and social events due to a fear of being judged. Those with the disorder may experience worry surrounding events that others take in stride, and this can begin days and weeks before the event. With children, the condition may manifest as a tendency to cling to parents, a refusal to talk in public, and tantrums prior to the occasion. Physical symptoms associated with social anxiety include accelerated heartbeat, stomach pain, muscle tension, and hyperventilation. The fear of others noticing these signs of anxiety can make the symptoms even worse. In addressing the condition, therapy approaches often seek to provide exposure to situations that generate discomfort. This helps patients to gain confidence in dealing with situations that would otherwise cause anxiety.
An experienced psychiatrist, Christie Mensch assists Kansas City patients in an outpatient setting with disorders such as schizophrenia and depression. Outside of her professional life, Christie Mensch has a passion for cooking and particularly enjoys creating traditional Midwest recipes that incorporate local ingredients. The roots of Midwestern cuisine lie in German and Scandinavian traditions, with meat and potatoes a mainstay in traditional dishes such as soups and casseroles. Many of these recipes were perfected through communal dinners of the church and potluck variety. With agriculture at the forefront of the traditional Midwestern lifestyle, vegetables are also an essential component to many dishes. These range from simple side dishes, such as corn on the cob, to soup that incorporates wild rice. Other dishes combine fruits and meats in various ways. One classic pairing is pan-seared sausages with Granny Smith apples. This involves cooking bratwurst in a skillet with olive oil and adding fennel, thinly sliced apples, and vinegar to create a contrasting combination of flavors. Traditional Midwestern etiquette maintains that, at all costs, room must be saved for dessert. Classic examples include mouthwatering standards such as apple pie and strawberry rhubarb cobbler.
