Inside Mental Health

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales welcome Katie Dale, a young woman with bipolar disorder who was convinced by a pastor to discontinue her medication and instead put her faith in God to heal her. Unsurprisingly, going off her meds plunged Katie into a serious bipolar episode. She resumed her medications and has been living well ever since. Katie shares with listeners a touching, yet very pointed, letter that she wrote to this pastor, explaining how she understood his motives. But, she cautions, this doesn’t change the fact that his advice was harmful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, host Gabe Howard interviews his co-host, Vincent M. Wales, about living with persistent depressive disorder (formerly known as dysthymia). Vincent speaks candidly about how he came to realize that he had chronic depression, the mistakes he made in treating it, his suicidal years in college, and how living with depression affected his writing, especially with regard to the creation of his character, Dynamistress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales discuss the role of certified peer supporters in the recovery journeys of those with mental illness. Gabe dispels many of the misconceptions about peer support by explaining the peer certification process in Ohio (it varies from state to state), what peer supporters do and what they cannot do, and how vital they can be to a person’s recovery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales welcome Jodi Aman, popular psychotherapist, anxiety expert, blogger, radio host, and author of You 1, Anxiety 0: Winning Your Life Back From Fear and Panic. Jodi explains how she cured herself of anxiety and shares great tips on how you can get control over your own anxiety and panic attacks. She also explains anxiety and panic in ways you might never have heard before, giving you a better understanding of what’s really going on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales welcome Paul Gilmartin, host of The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast. Paul shares his story of how the popular podcast came into existence and shares information on some of his favorite episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales welcome Paul Gionfriddo, President & CEO of Mental Health America. They discuss the origins of Mental Health Awareness Month and the MHA Bell. The understanding and acceptance of mental illness has come a long way in our society, but there is still much room for improvement. Listen as these issues are discussed in depth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales talk about Mental Health Awareness Month. Specifically, they offer suggestions on some easy – and some not-so-easy – things that anyone can do to support Mental Health Awareness Month. Listen and learn how you can do your part. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales chat with Jacob Moore, founder of NoStigmas.org, a social movement for mental health awareness and peer support. NoStigmas is a place for people to connect, share stories, and learn about mental health without feeling alone or ashamed. Jacob speaks and writes on the topics of mental wellness, suicide prevention, stigmas, peer support, and holistic health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, host Gabe Howard talks with Glenn Holsten and Gabriel Nathan. Glenn is the award-winning director of OC87, the groundbreaking film that led to the OC87 Recovery Diaries website, of which Gabriel is the editor-in-chief. The OC, in this case, refers not Orange County, but Obsessive-Compulsive. The website features mental health music, art, interviews, movie reviews, essays, recovery videos, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales discuss anxiety disorders, which can be debilitating on many levels and strain even the closest relationships, often due to a lack of understanding of what anxiety disorder is like. Listen as our hosts describe what it’s like, from mild social anxiety to full-blown, sweat-dripping panic attacks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales address the frequently ignored and often misrepresented aspect of bipolar disorder – hypersexuality. Many seem to view this as a desirable state, believing it to be little more than having frequent sex. It is often treated as a punchline (when it is addressed at all). In reality, it is a horror of compulsion and pain, with devastating consequences, both physical and mental, that no one should wish to have. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Psych Central Show, our hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales discuss abandonment issues & attachment disorder. Listen in! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales conclude a 3-part series about the Palo Alto suicides and some of the things that came about after and, at least partially, as a result of them. Returning this episode is Sammy Kotmel, joined by Nadia Ghaffari, founder of TeenzTalk a teen-run peer support website with users all over the world. Listen as she shares how and why this site was created and hear about its success stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales continue a 3-part series about the Palo Alto suicides and some of the things that came about after and, at least partially, as a result of them. Returning this episode is Sammy Kotmel, joined by Michael Fitzgerald, Executive Director of Behavioral Health Services at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, California. Sammy is one of many school students to go through the hospital's ASPIRE program, which helps children, teens and young adults with anxiety, depression or other symptoms related to a mental health condition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales begin a 3-part series about the Palo Alto suicides and some of the things that came about after and, at least partially, as a result of them. The guests on this episode are Sammy Kotmel and her mother, Maja Nelson. Sammy was one of the teens who attempted suicide. She and her mother speak openly of the events leading up to her attempt, her involuntary commitment to a psychiatric hospital, and the treatment and recovery that followed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales look at the subject of suicide and the many myths and misconceptions that surround it. A few of the missives addressed are: suicide barriers on bridges are ineffective, since the person will just find another method to take his or her life; suicide is a selfish act; if a person talks about suicide, he or she won’t actually attempt it; and several more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales welcome guest Julie Fast, a world-renowned mental health expert and bestselling author of multiple books, including Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder, Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder, Get It Done When You’re Depressed, Bipolar Happens!, and The Health Cards Treatment System for Bipolar Disorder. Listen as she discusses her history with bipolar disorder, the bicycle accident that saved her life, and her role as consultant for the television show, Homeland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales discuss depression and why so many people don’t understand this insidious disease. They speak of their own versions of depression (bipolar depression and persistent depressive disorder) and why terminology matters. Despite hundreds of millions of people worldwide suffering from depression, the average person still thinks of depression as nothing more than “sadness.” Listen and find out why this is exceedingly inadequate to explain depression. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales have a candid discussion about narcissists with Ramani Durvasula, PhD. In this information-packed interview, she gives the harsh truth about narcissists, including addressing the questions: What’s the difference between narcissism and self-confidence? Can women be narcissists? Are there more narcissists today than in the past? What happens when two narcissists are in a relationship? and, of course, Why does the narcissist always get the girl? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you friends with an ex? Is your wife friends with an ex? What if your wife was friends with your ex? How would that work out? Is it even possible? In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales share the microphone with two special guests: Gabe’s wife, Kendall, and Gabe’s ex-wife, Lisa. The unlikely trio discusses the surprising amount of criticism they receive for getting along. Have societal expectations and criticism changed the way you wanted to end a relationship? Then listen as Gabe, Lisa, and Kendall offer an alternative ending to what is often an unhappy story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales discuss the pros and cons of disclosure with regard to mental illness. Should you “come out” as mentally ill? And if so, to whom? These are questions everyone living with a metal illness has to answer eventually. There are benefits to being completely honest about your medical history (e.g., not having to hide, helping the overarching cause), but it can also be detrimental to your career and damage your personal relationships. Whether you are still under a coat in the back of the closet, or hosting a podcast about mental illness, revealing your illness (or not) is a minefield. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales speak with Sarah Schuster, mental health editor for The Mighty, Psych Central's partner and story-based health community focused on improving the lives of people facing disease, disorder, and disability. The Mighty publishes real stories about real people facing real challenges. Sarah graduated with a journalism degree from Syracuse University, and currently lives in Los Angeles. You can find her on Twitter @saraheliztweets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales discuss the perception that mental health is fundamentally different from physical health. They discuss the lack of biochemical “markers” that can identify physical illnesses and whether we will ever have a simple lab test to diagnose depression, for example. They discuss how physical illness can affect mental health (and vice versa), and ultimately agree that the difference comes down to just one thing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales welcome mental health researcher and Psych Central Founder, Dr. John Grohol, to discuss the newly passed 21st Century Cures Act. In addition to other bills, the Act integrated parts of what was previously known as The Murphy Bill or Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act. There has been a lot of talk in the mental health community about how, exactly, the news laws will help people living with mental illness. Listen as Dr. Grohol explains what impact this law will have on treating mental illness in America. He also explains, in layman’s terms, the details of the new law and offers his expert analysis of how the new laws will affect HIPAA regulations, assisted outpatient treatment, research, and SAMHSA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales discuss the recent passing of Carrie Fisher. To most, she was Princess Leia from the Star Wars films. To some, she was a witty novelist. But to many, she was a staunch mental health advocate, unapologetic and committed to helping make things better for those with mental illness. Our hosts discuss their own personal views of Carrie’s life and end with how her activism can help inspire our own. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales discuss New Year’s Resolutions: why we make them, but frequently abandon them long before the year is over. They share some interesting statistics on the most common reasons for such failures. In addition to talking about their own personal failures with resolutions, Gabe and Vincent share some easy ways to make keeping your resolutions much, much easier, including the key factor of knowing yourself better... with a little help from PsychCentral blogger, Sharon Martin, LCSW, and her article, "26 Questions to Help You Know Yourself Better." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Psych Central Show, hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales discuss how some individuals with mental illness view their condition as beneficial, such as giving them enhanced creativity, deeper empathy, more insightful, and so on. They share their own personal stories and anecdotes heard from others. They discuss the reasons behind why some people believe this and why others do not. Ultimately, they offer their own opinions on whether mental illness is more of a giver or a taker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Psych Central Show, our hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales discuss why so many people stop taking medication for psychiatric disorders or even refuse to start on them at all. In a society that is always searching for a “magic pill,” why are so many people resistant to the idea of taking medication to treat mental illness? Why do doctors and others so easily dismiss the complaints of side effects? And does stigma prevent many from getting the treatment they need? Gabe and Vincent give advice and reassurance on how to cope with the many pitfalls of being “med compliant.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Psych Central Show, Our hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales discuss feelings of guilt surrounding a mental illness diagnosis. Lots of us feel guilty about our diagnosis or our symptoms. We feel badly for the effect it has on our loved ones, especially when they don’t sympathize. Where does this stigma come from? Why does society make us feel guilty for being sick? Mental illness is something that happens to us, not something we do to ourselves, so why do we feel like failures? How do we help our loved ones understand, and how do we move past this self-condemnation? Listen in to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Psych Central Show, Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales interview popular bipolar author and blogger, Natasha Tracy. Natasha Tracy is an award-winning writer and speaker living with bipolar disorder. She has written more than 1000 articles on mental health and is considered a subject matter expert in bipolar disorder. She has also been published in the peer reviewed journal, Primary Care Companion CNS Disorders. She was the winner of the Beatrice Stern Media Award presented by Didi Hirsch for her work in reducing prejudice against the those with mental illness. Natasha writes the award-winning blog Bipolar Burble at NatashaTracy.com and her writings are also featured on many other sites. She recently released the book Lost Marbles: Insights into My Life with Depression & Bipolar which one reviewer said will “certainly save lives.” Her book is being received very positively by those with bipolar disorder or depression, their loved ones and even healthcare professionals. Lost Marbles and its reviews can be found on Amazon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Psych Central Show, our hosts Gabe and Vincent address the persistent and widespread myth that suicides increase during the holiday season. They discuss which seasons see the highest suicide rates, what month has the lowest rate, and what we as a society can do to educate ourselves about, and ultimately prevent, suicide. Vincent, a former suicide hotline counselor, covers some common warning signs that indicate possible suicidal thoughts and what a person can expect when calling a suicide hotline. The conversation includes a brief history of American automobile safety standards, as well as some surprising statistics about death in in the U.S. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s Psych Central Show, Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales discuss the use of person-first language in mental health advocacy. Person-First refers to a form of etiquette that calls for language to be structured “person” first, “disability” second. For example: “people with diabetes” versus “diabetic.” It changes language to replace “to be” (mentally ill) with “to have” (mental illness). Our hosts discuss the relative merits and disadvantages of this supposedly empowering strategy. They question whether this is needed, whether it’s helping, or whether it is just one more way to stigmatize people who have been diagnosed with mental illness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Psych Central Show, our hosts discuss how society sees different mental health diagnoses. Gabe Howard has bipolar disorder and Vincent M. Wales has persistent depressive disorder (also known as dysthymia). In addition to each discussing his diagnosis, they compare how the conditions are similar and how are they different, and what each thinks of the other’s diagnosis. Ultimately, they ask the question: Is one worse than the other? And if so, in what ways? Listen to this excellent conversation that is sure to provide many points to consider when it comes to thinking about and reacting to people living with mental illness. Show Webpage: PsychCentral.com/show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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