Unhinged: Discussing Mental Health

This week we talk about drugs and how genetics might play a part in how they affect different people. Doug , as part of an IMPACT study in pharmacogenetics, discovers he metabolizes slowly, so medicinal treatments need to be adjusted accordingly. We also discuss his battles with the Ministry of Health and drugs not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Ed takes the Hamilton Depression Scale test (HAM-D) to measure his depression level. How does the supposedly “normal” half of the Unhinged team rate? Doug also covers helpful tools for depressive disorder, including diet, positive self-talk, journaling, and more. And finally, we get a progress report on Doug’s current state. What did he score on the HAM-D test? Show resources: Hamilton Depression Scale University of Michigan Depression Toolkit CAMH – Impact Study

We all love to fear monsters. In Hollywood, that thrill brings in millions. But what about when those monsters are real people who feel no remorse for their criminal behaviors, including murder? In this episode of Unhinged, we dig into what makes serial killers, from environmental factors to neurology. Can a serial killer be created in childhood? Can they be rehabilitated? We also talk about the similarities and differences between sociopaths and psychopaths. There’s a fine line between the two, but there is a critical difference. You’ll also learn a bit about what drove people like Ted Bundy, Edward Gein, Joel Rifkin, and Charles Manson. The scariest part of the show is seeing how Doug had a similar childhood experience to one of the above serial killers, yet he has not turned out the same way. We discuss why that may be. And lastly, we talk about why we like watching movies about killers, disasters, and horror. Do we each go into it in the same frame of mind? Show resources: Big Think: Are You a Psycopath? Psychology Today: How to Tell a Sociopath from a Psychopath

Another rocky start this week as Doug’s money troubles due to being on disability nearly derailed the show. So we decided to discuss the issue as our opening topic. How does someone with a mental illness, who cannot work, survive on only $15k per year in a city where the poverty line is at nearly $20k? Hint: It’s not easy. We also welcome a very special guest to the show, hypnotherapist, motivational speaker, and magician Murray Goldsmith, who happens to be Doug’s uncle. Besides entertaining audiences for decades with his stimulating and humorous talks, he has written books and held seminars on “The Power of Your Belief System”. We discuss hypnotherapy, psychology, and even magic with Murray in a very entertaining and enlightening interview. Show resources: Murray Goldsmith: The Power of Your Belief System

In our 9th episode, We talk about how music is what brought us together many years ago and how it became an important part of our friendship. We also disclose what the “blue room” from our previous intro is and how that’s related. There was another rocky start the morning of this show, and Doug tells us what’s got him down. Doug explains all about neurotransmitters and their importance in the brain, and how music can help with their production. And finally, we discuss an article from Time about how learning to play an instrument and participating in musical learning leads to better academic performance all around. Show resources: Time.com: This is How Music Can Change Your Brain TED Ed: How playing an instrument benefits your brain – Anita Collins 16 Benefits Of Playing An Instrument Smart Parent Advice: What Are the Benefits of Music for Babies and Toddlers? The Surprising Benefits Of Playing An Instrument For People Of All Ages

In our 8th episode, Doug discusses the details of Treatment Resistant Depression. What is it? Is it common? What treatment options are available? Having lived with TRD his whole life, Doug has researched and tried pretty much every treatment option out there, from drugs to electroshock, to DBS. We also get an update on Doug’s progress. It looks like his DBS is starting to kick in again. Will it last? And finally, we welcome our very first special guest, clinical social worker and psychotherapist Nurit Adler. We discuss with her everything from TRD to family support to college kids struggling with depression. Show resources: Nurit Adler: Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist

In this episode, we discuss the difference in how the media covered the death of Prince vs. the death of Robin Williams. Responsible journalism calls for portraying celebrity suicide as not something romantic and sensationalized, but rather as a disease that has treatment options and support. Is the media partially to blame for suicidal contagion on college campuses? We talk about a recent article in the Psychiatric Times that talks about the risk, prevention, and management of suicide clusters, and how preventing that first suicide is key to stopping the “Werther Effect” of copycat suicides. Lastly, we get an update on Doug’s progress with his depression. Is his DBS finally starting to kick in again? Show resources: Psychiatric Times: Suicide Clusters on College Campuses

We start by listing some celebrities known to have Major Depressive Disorder. Though their fame does bring much needed focus to mental illness, we strive for the day when it’s accepted as a disease that is out of the control of its victims. We also discuss the use of ketamine in the fight against treatment-resistant depression. Doug participated in ketamine trials and walks us through its dissociative effects and how it brings relief to some. Lastly, we talk about the importance of family as a support system, and how TRD can tear families apart when their support is needed the most. Our podcast has started a conversation between Doug and some members of his family. The hope for reconciliation is there. Show resources: Huffington Post UK: The Coming of Age of LSD

This episode opens with an emotional reveal of our struggle to get the episode recorded due to Doug’s most recent downward turn. Waking up depressed and angry for the last couple of days has forced Doug to postpone the show twice before we decided to openly discuss his feelings on-air. Once we got the show going, our main topic of discussion was self-medication and medical marijuana. We discuss drugs, both prescribed and illicit, and how they can be abused by people who suffer from depression. Doug talks about some of the drugs he has taken, his long-term experience with marijuana, and how he’s using it now (hint: it’s not always positive for him). We also get into some of the claimed psychological benefits of medical marijuana, discuss the different strains and how they affect the mind and body, and talk about Doug’s psychological addiction. Show resources: Psychological Benefits Of Marijuana Usage Medical Marijuana for Psychiatric Disorders: Can a joint a day keep the psychiatrist away?

In this episode of Unhinged, we talk about the area of the brain called Area 25 and how it relates to mental health.We also find out why there are some psychologists who think that Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is dangerous and prefer non-surgical, and even non-medicinal forms of therapy, including meditation, empathy, love, and mindfulness. The idea that the companies that make the neurotransmitter devices used in DBS are pushing the treatment for financial gain is also discussed. Doug also gets into more detail about his DBS procedure, how it works, and what effects he has felt to date. He talks about how brain surgery, though considered a drastic measure by most people, did not even phase him due to his desperation in his search for a cure. Show resources: Dr. Peter Breggin Hour – Tragic Truth about DBS The Perils of Deep Brain Stimulation Mindful Sex

Episode #3 gets into some details of Doug’s most radical depression treatment: brain surgery. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure involving the implantation of a device that sends electrical impulses, through implanted electrodes, to specific parts of the brain. It’s used to treat Parkinson’s, dystonia, and chronic pain, but has also proven effective in helping with Treatment Resistant Depression. We also cover the unfortunate suicide of up and coming MMA fighter Cody Glode. A lack of immediate psychiatric help in Nova Scotia, and not being able to schedule a timely appointment with his doctor, partially contributed to his untimely death. Is there a healthcare crisis in Canada? Show resources: Cody Glode Suicide Shows Mental Health System in Crisis

In our second episode of Unhinged, we touch on why some people with severe depression make good comedians. In fact, the need for approval or validation for some can push them to the arts. In our news segment, we delve into the question asked by Psychology Today: does Donald Trump have Narcissistic Personality Disorder? We break down the criteria for this diagnosis, and whether Trump fits the profile. We also find out more specifics about Doug’s specific case of treatment resistant depression. You’ll hear just some of the treatments his doctor’s have tried, including electro-convulsive “shock” therapy, nearly every mood medication, and we’ll touch on a more radical surgical approach called Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).

Welcome to Unhinged! This is our very first podcast, where we discuss who we are and what we will be talking about in this series. We introduce Doug, who has been suffering from treatment resistant depression for most of his life, and me (Ed), an old college buddy who leads what most would consider a “normal” life. In this episode, we touch on early childhood triggers and phobias and the differences between how I handled things versus Doug, and how our two roads diverged over the years. Nature vs. Nurture is another topic discussed, as much of Doug’s issues were found to be neurological, yet the stigma of mental illness kept many people at a distance.