HealthyPlace Radio: Recent Episodes
HealthyPlace Radio
HealthyPlace.com is the largest consumer mental health site, providing comprehensive, trusted information on psychological disorders and psychiatric medications from both a consumer and expert point of view.
We have an active mental health social network for support, online psychological tests, breaking mental health news, mental health videos, our documentary films, a live mental health tv show, and now this mental health radio show.
We'll be interviewing not only experts in the field of psychology and mental health, but everyday people who are living with a mental illness to find out what it's like and how they're coping. You can call in to ask our guests your questions or to share your personal experiences as well.
We're glad you found us.
Erin Lynne Hawkes had her first psychotic break during the final year of her undergraduate studies. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, she spent the next four-and-a-half months in a psychiatric hospital. Today, at age 33, Hawkes is a neuroscientist and out with her first book: When Quietness Came: A Neuroscientist's Personal Journey With Schizophrenia. One of the reasons Hawkes wrote the book is to help family and friends of people with schizophrenia better understand and sympathize with those afflicted with the illness. We discuss that in detail on this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show. Get in-depth, trusted information about schizophrenia on the HeatlhyPlace Mental Health website.
Kellie Holly writes the blog, Verbal Abuse in Relationships, and shares insights into abusive relationships. She gained those insights through hard won experience. She was married for 18 years to a man who she says engaged in verbal abuse, along with emotional and psychological abuse. On this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show, Kellie tells us why it took so long to leave her ex, the decision process that went into leaving and the changes she's noticed in herself since her divorce one year ago.
Trying to recover from a mental illness or mental health condition is tough. You are constantly battling psychological, emotional and physical issues and still trying to push forward. Having something like bipolar help or depression support means you will not be fighting the battle alone. Our guest is Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) - Chicago President, Judy Sturm. She discusses the value of support and support groups in managing and recovering from bipolar disorder or depression. For online mental health support, visit the HealthyPlace Mental Health Forums and Chat. Comprehensive bipolar information and depression information here.
Dr. Carolyn Dobbins wrote "What a Life Can Be: One Therapist's Take on Schizoaffective Disorder." By all accounts, she's a successful person. She graduated from a top university, has all sorts of professional accolades. So, why in the world, after nearly 25 years in the field would she want to reveal she has a serious mental illness? Take a listen. We also discuss the challenges she's faced and how she dealt with them. For mental health information and support, visit the HealthyPlace.com mental health website.
For most people with ADHD, or any serious mental illness for that matter, it can take weeks, months, even years, to find the right psychiatric medication(s), at just the right dose, that works for you. Yes, there's science behind the prescribing process, but it's also trial and error. But what if you could significantly reduce the time period it takes to get it right. Psychiatrist, Robert Hunt, MD, has developed an app to do just that. How? Listen to the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show. For in-depth, trusted ADHD information visit HealthyPlace.com
Alistair McHarg has been battling Manic Depression (Bipolar Disorder) and substance abuse issues for 40+ years. He's the author of "Invisible Driving" - his very descriptive autobiography detailing the ins and outs, ups and downs of life with bipolar disorder. Alistair also writes the mental health humor blog, "Funny in the Head," on HealthyPlace.com. He shares his very interesting life on this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
J.D. Smith is an indie music artist who's giving back. In 1992, she took her two young sons and fled to a battered women's shelter to escape a physically and mentally abusive husband. "I was in the abusive relationship for 7 years. During those years, I was severely beaten - to the point where now it has affected my bones and joints where the beatings occured. It affected my mental state too." J.D. joins us on the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show to talk about her experience and to share some advice for other women in abusive relationships. HealthyPlace Abuse, Domestic Violence Information J.D. Smith music
When you're married to someone with a serious mental illness like bipolar disorder, sometimes the usual relationship rules just don't apply, says Sara Anderson, author of the Bipolar Marriage blog. Her amazing story and why she stuck around, plus valuable insights into how to maintain your relationship if you're married to someone with bipolar disorder -- all on this episode of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show. In-depth bipolar information HealthyPlace.com Mental Health Website.
She's known as @unsuicide on Twitter. Sandra Klume uses the handle to provide peer support and informational resources to people intent on killing themselves. She joins us on the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show to discuss why a service like this is so badly needed. Listen in. Comprehensive suicide information. Suicide Hotline: (1-800-273-TALK) Treating Depression
The number of people who commit suicide continues to climb every year. Some 30,000 Americans committed suicide in 2010. But that statistic doesn't tell the entire story. For every completed suicide, there are 8 to 25 attempted suicides. Why is this? And is there really anything parents, family members and significant others can do to prevent the suicide of a loved one? Our guest is Robert Gebbia, Executive Director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Visit HealthyPlace.com: America's Mental Health Channel for extensive information on suicide.
Cindy Nelson has a sister with a serious mental illness. Her sister is diagnosed with schizophrenia and has been managing this chronic illness for about 27 years. Cindy was the primary caregiver until her sister got married 22 years ago but is still involved in a caregiver role, as any family member is when they have a loved one with a serious and persistent mental illness. She says it's a delicate balance of being a caregiver of an adult family member and being a sister. We discuss that and what it means to "support" a family member with a mental illness, plus dealing with caregiver burnout.
Cindy Nelson works part-time for NAMI Massachusetts and volunteers as a NAMI Family to Family Education Program teacher. Get trusted, comprehensive mental health information and support on HealthyPlace.com: America's Mental Health Channel.
Our guest is Dr. Robert Pretlow. Dr. Pretlow is founder and director of Weigh2Rock.com, an online weight loss system for teens and preteens, used by clinics, schools, private practitioners, hospitals, community centers, and health clubs, worldwide.
Kelly Babcock, a.k.a. Taylor McKinlay, author of the Tao Of Taylor blog, had the good fortune to discover his adult ADHD at a time when he was looking to explain why he had always felt different. A diagnosis followed the discovery. He has spent the last year and a half studying ADHD and how it affects people and comes onto the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show to share his story and some of his findings. For trusted, in-depth ADHD information and support, visit us at HealthyPlace.com: America's Mental Health Channel
In this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show, we discuss biofeedback and neurofeedback for Anxiety and ADHD (uses, efficacy, difference between the real deal and those who are not practicing by the best standards, and more.) Our guest is Jeff Lewis, MSSW, LSCSW, BCIAC. Mr. Lewis is a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker and a Fellow of the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America. For more information on anxiety disorders. For more information on ADHD.
What is it like parenting a child with a serious mental illness? Our guest, Chrisa Hickey, is mother to three children. Her middle son, Timothy, is diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder. On this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show, Chrisa discusses how difficult it was to adjust to the fact that her son has a serious mental illness. She talks about the impact that it's had on her other children, her marriage, and the tough decisions that she and her husband have made. For more comprehensive mental health information and mental health support groups, join us on HealthyPlace.com: America's Mental Health Channel.
Having your child commit suicide is a horrible thing. Barb Mares knows the experience. Two of her teenage sons committed suicide within seven months of each other. She comes onto the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show to discuss the loss, the grief, and how she managed to survive the suicide of her children. For in-depth information on suicide, visit HealthyPlace.com: America's Mental Health Channel
Depersonalization disorder is a type of dissociative disorder. It's defined by periods of feeling disconnected or detached from one’s body and thoughts (called depersonalization). People with Depersonalization Disorder describe it as feeling like you are observing yourself from outside your body. Our guest is Jeffrey Abugel, an editor and writer who has studied Depersonalization Disorder for more than 20 years.He's here to discuss his new book Stranger to My Self: Inside Depersonalization, the Hidden Epidemic. Learn about Depersonalization Disorder and other types of dissociative disorders here. In-depth information on dissociative disorders on the HealthyPlace Mental Health website.
When parents first hear that their child has ADHD, many feel as if they've been set adrift on an emotional sea of guilt, isolation, confusion and fear. To help these parents and their children navigate the challenges of home life, school, and ADHD treatment, Tracey Bromley Goodwin and Holly Oberacker have created Navigating ADHD: Your Guide to the Flip Side of ADHD. We discuss parenting solutions for ADHD children on this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show. Comprehensive ADHD information on the HealthyPlace Mental Heatlh website.
I'm sure you've heard the phrase "can't you just get over it?" Unfortunately, so have a lot of people who have been sexually assaulted. Trauma specialist, Dr. Kathleen Young, joins us to discuss the recovery process and why it's difficult recovering from sexual assault and rape. That's on this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show. More info on: what is sexual assault, the impact of rape and where to get help if you've been sexually assaulted or raped
Many know about the "standard" causes of anxiety: heredity, brain chemistry, personality and life experiences. But our guest says physical causes of anxiety are often overlooked and mistreated. Our guest is psychologist and author of "Anxiety: Hidden Causes," Dr. Sharon Heller. She says before you pop any pills, it's important to find the primary cause of your anxiety symptoms. We discuss this plus how to treat these hidden causes of anxiety on this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
We chose tonight’s guest because we liked what she wrote on her website: “Nothing is impossible to overcome.” Nikki Rosen has been through severe child abuse, drugs, an eating disorder, self-harm, panic attacks, prison, rape, living on the streets with no money, no family and no hope. She details her true story in a book titled “In the Eye of Deception.” The focus on this HealthyPlace.com Mental Health Radio Show is: living through, surviving huge obstacles in your life and coming out the other side. Take a listen.
There are many conflicting feelings adult children have when it comes to caring for their aging parents. Christopher Lanni is a 51 year old creative consultant who stays home to care for his 90-something year old mother with Alzheimer's Disease. His blog "FOOD&FAMILY: thoughts of an at-home caregiver" provides a glimpse of his life. On this episode of the HealthyPlace.com Mental Health Radio Show, Christopher shares what it's like being a full-time caregiver to his aging mother.
Information on Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Caregivers, visit HealthyPlace.com http://www.healthyplace.com/alzheimers/menu-id-56/
It seems women are always worried about their weight. In a blog post titled "The Weight," author Jen Selk says her weight concerns began when she was a little girl. The number on the scale tied into her body image, her body image into her self-image. On this episode of the HealthyPlace.com Mental Health Radio Show, Jen shares those concerns of "feeling fat" and whether it's possible to separate "feeling fat" from feeling good about yourself.
Postpartum Progress is the most widely-read blog on postpartum depression and other mental illnesses related to childbirth. It's editor, Katherine Stone, started the blog in 2001; two years after being treated for postpartum OCD.
On this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show, Ms. Stone discusses just how far we've come in the diagnosis and treatment of postpartum depression and society's growing recognition and acceptance of it as a legitimate illness.
For information on postpartum depression, visit the HealthyPlace Mental Health website. http://www.healthyplace.com/depression/main/postpartum-depression/menu-id-68/
For "Pilgrim," a pseudonym for a young woman living with Dissociative Identity Disorder, it's been a struggle since being diagnosed in 2004.
She blogs about her experiences (Pilgrim's Journey) and says while most people don't understand her disorder and the difficulties of living with the symptoms, there's "no shame in having DID."
We discuss that aspect of Dissociative Identity Disorder on this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
For more information on Dissociative Identity Disorder: http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/dissociative-identity-disorder/types-symptoms-causes-treatments/menu-id-57/
At 28, Andrea Roe says she's finally healthy again. For 10 years, Andrea struggled with depression and body image issues and spent 6 years battling anorexia and bulimia. "There is so much negativity out there and it is important to let people know that there is HOPE and that eating disorders can be overcome."
Andrea is the author of "You Are Not Alone - The Book of Companionship for Women with Eating Disorders" (Vol 1 + 2) - which are collections of recovery stories, poems and artwork of women who are either fully recovered or in recovery. We talk with Andrea about the challenges and payoffs of recovering from an eating disorder on this week's HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
Our guest, Jennifer, is a 24 year old theatre student and actor from California. She's struggled with an eating disorder for around 12 years; having been diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa and Major Depression. She's been treated in outpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, inpatient, and residential settings over the last several years.
Jennifer says "My family was very chaotic and unpredictable growing up, and although I have a mother and a father who are married and are very loving and supportive, they have had an affect on my eating disorder both in its development and its continuance."
More of Jennifer's story and what's she learned about living with an eating disorder on this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
Carolyn Gabb was disabled for 6 months after a psychiatric hospital made a mistake with her bipolar medications. She can tolerate a low dose of lithium but can never be on Lamictal again, which was a wonderful drug for her. Carolyn says, "Art, for me, is survival." Find out why on this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
David Oaks is a psychiatric survivor and the director of MindFreedom International. MindFreedom International is a voice for survivors of abuse in mental health care.
We discussed why there's a need for MindFreedom International, patient rights when it comes to court-ordered ECT (shock therapy), psychiatric medications for young children and more on this week's HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
Growing up, Paula's life was not only confusing, but a living hell. Her mother had Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and one of the alters constantly tortured her, psychologically and physically, to the point of even trying to kill her. It was so bad, that at 8 years old, young Paula even tried ending her own life. Today, Paula is 50 and she comes onto the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show to get her story out - for her own healing and "so I don't have to carry it around in my head any longer."
Are you in a verbally, emotionally abusive relationship? Shelly and Dr. Michael Marshall, co-authors of the book "Respect-Me Rules," say you can empower yourself and stop the abuse. "You are a target, not a victim," they say, and can learn how to get out of the way. We're discussing verbal and emotional abuse and what to do about it on this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show. For comprehensive information on verbal, psychological, sexual abuse, visit the HealthyPlace.com Abuse Issues Community. http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/menu-id-52/
Almost 40, Kellie, is raising two teenage boys and is still married to her verbally abusive husband of 17 years. They separated in January 2010 after "he put his hands on me again." But Kellie says, at times, she is miserable being separated, even though her husband continues to dish out the verbal abuse. We talked with Kellie about what it's like being a victim of verbal abuse, how that's impacted her and her children, and why she stayed around so long. Listen to the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show. Learn more about verbal abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse in the HealthyPlace Abuse Issues Community. http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/menu-id-52/
Schizophrenia is one of the most stigmatized mental illnesses. Because of some highly publicized incidents, many in the general public tend to think of people living with Schizophrenia (sometimes referred to as schizophrenics) as violent and uncontrollable.
We'll be discussing the damaging stigma of Schizophrenia with our guest, Marvin Ross, a medical writer and publisher based in Ontario. He began doing more extensive research on Schizophrenia when his son became ill. He hoped that a candid discussion of the disease, its causes and treatment, would improve understanding and reduce stigma. That led to his writing "Schizophrenia: Medicine's Mystery Society's Shame." Listen to our interview on this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show. Comprehensive information on Schizophrenia can be found here: http://www.healthyplace.com/thought-disorders/menu-id-64/
Barbara Hildebrand is a single mom of a late teens son. She spent 29 years with her late husband Rob, who died by suicide Dec. 25, 2000. Rob was diagnosed with bipolar disorder just one month prior to his passing.
Barbara is now a passionate advocate for suicide prevention. We'll be discussing how to survive when a loved one commits suicide on this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
Hyla Molander was widowed at age 29 while in the midst of her second pregnancy. Determined to find the light in her own darkness, Hyla spends the majority of her days reminding others that they, too, can grow through the challenging times. Hyla shares her ideas and suggestions for finding hope on this episode of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
Many relationship problems, says relationship expert, Steven Stosny Phd., focus on expecting your partner to meet your needs. Dr. Stosny, author of - "Love Without Hurt: Turn Your Resentful, Angry, or Emotionally Abusive Relationship Into a Compassionate, Loving One" - maintains you don't have the right to expect that. We're talking about how to fix your broken relationship on this week's HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
After a long business career with organizations like Johnson and Johnson and Pfizer, Graeme Cowan went through a horrendous 5 year battle with depression which his psychiatrist described as the worst he had ever treated. He then wrote "Back from the Brink" in 2007 and "Back from the Brink Too: Helping Your Loved One Overcome Depression" (SANE’s 2009 Book of the Year).
How he overcame depression and what he found out after interviewing over 3000 people successfully treated for depression is the subject of this HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
The inner lives of individuals who struggle with eating disorders are filled with a profound sense of disembodiment and lack of connection to their self and others, says Jennifer Nardozzi, PsyD. Dr. Nardozzi is an eating disorder treatment specialist and National Training Manager at The Renfrew Center.
She says that as the eating disorder strengthens and becomes the person's primary relationship, it creates an illusion of control and their authentic connection to self, others as well as a higher being, diminish. We refer to this as spiritual emptiness or "hunger of the soul."
More on this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
Fear is a mysterious force. It sabotages our ability to think clearly and can drive us to blind panic, yet it can also give us superhuman speed, strength, and powers of perception.
Jeff Wise, author of "of Extreme Fear: The Science of Your Mind in Danger" discusses the science of fear and how the simple model of "fight or flight" is now being replaced with a more scientific understanding. Join us on the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
Since moving from Louisiana to Michigan, Heather Levin has struggled with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) for over 15 years. In her effort to combat the condition, she has come up with creative and frugal ways to make winters not only bearable, but fun. On this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show, she shares her ideas with others in the hopes that it will make coping with SAD that much easier.
Though the pain of bipolar disorder has sometimes been an agony which it seemed would never end, Richard Jarzynka, author of "Blessed with Bipolar" has come to believe that "if you could pick which mental illness to have, bipolar would be the only sane choice." Why? The answer in this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
Many people with Borderline Personality Disorder are viewed as difficult/impossible to be around. Even many psychotherapists turn down Borderline Personality Disorder patients.
Becky Oberg, author of the "More Than Borderline" blog on HealthyPlace.com, has been a victim of this kind of treatment. She comes on the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio show to discuss what it's like being an outcast, even among people in one of the largest stigmatized groups in America; those with mental health problems.
It took our guest, Maggie, 17 years to find out she had OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and even longer to actually find someone who knew how to treat it.
Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy is a proven treatment for OCD, but unfortunately, many OCD patients drop out. We discuss what OCD treatments are working for Maggie and the challenges of ERP on this edition of the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
Sarah Olson has Dissociative Identity Disorder aka Multiple Personality Disorder. Nearly 15 years ago, while undergoing Dissociative Identity Disorder treatment, Sarah made a decision to integrate her over 50 alters. Why? How? and the change and impact it has had on her life is the subject of this HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
What's it like living with bipolar disorder? Breaking Bipolar blog author, Natasha Tracy, gives us a peek inside her bipolar brain. Listen on the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.
Though in treatment for postpartum depression, Sue Robinson struggles with the symptoms of postpartum depression everyday. Listen to her postpartum depression story on the HealthyPlace Mental Health Radio Show.