The Broken Brain

Dr Deborah Bryon is a Psychologist, Jungian Psychoanalyst, and Author. Her new book "Time and Trauma in Analytical Psychology and Psychotherapy: The Wisdom of Andean Shamanism," focuses on the things she learned while simultaneously studying Jungian Analysis and the teachings of Andean Shamans. She shares insights into the relativity of time from an internal, emotional perspective, particularly when trauma is involved.

This Monday's Mental Tip is focused on a few ideas for dealing with Manic or Hypomanic episodes for those of us with Bipolar, Bipolar II, or some serious bouts of impulsivity with ADHD. Plan to listen or join the 3rd annual Broken Brain Live Feed for Opiate Overdose Awareness. Go to www.dwighthurst.com/live for details.

WARNING this episode is about suicide, although it is not graphic. This is the first 7 minutes of this week's dive into mental health history for the Patreon members. In 2003 subway companies around the world installed blue LED lights in their terminals, based on the belief that it has a calming influence, and will discourage suicidal individuals from attempting to jump onto the tracks. But is the research really there ot justify this choice? And is it enough? This week's dive into mental health history is all about these questions. Remember this month's highlighted charity: www.munchausensyndrome.com. Also everyone is invited to watch or join the 5 hour live-stream event on Thursday 8/29. Go to www.dwighthurst.com/live for information and links.

The percentage of young people dealing with anxiety and depression is at an all time high. Teenagers deal with massive physiological & psychological development, major educational goals, and complicated social experiences. Social media, economic shifts, and societal complexity add elements new too many parents. Kevin Baker is a Certified Life Coach who specializes in adolescence. He works to empower teenagers to disrupt negative and self-destructive thought patterns and increase health, happiness, and self-acceptance.  The charity of focus this month is Munchausen Syndrome, a nonprofit dedicated to providing education about the terrible realities of medical child abuse. For new Patreon members joining in July, 50% of their contributions will go to this organization each month. Goto munchausensyndrome.com to learn more.

Monday Mental Tip! Some ideas about looking for therapy or supportive psychological help when funding is an obstacle.

Thursday weekly Thistory lessons appear in the Patrons-only podcast feed, and the rest of y'all get the first 5 minutes of the episode here on the main feed.  Today's history dive is looking into the burnout of those in nonprofit, human services, education, and healthcare. Some general history of burnout itself, its labelling and research, and applying this to the way it affects those who help. To support the show and give 50% of your donation to charities highlighted on the show, go to www.patreon.com/brokenbrain or www.dwighthurst.com/support  

WARNING: This episode contains a true story of child abuse, murder, and suicide, told by a member of the family within which it happened. Please listen with caution and awareness of your own mental health needs. Brianna Benjamin is no stranger to The Broken Brain Podcast. Bri & Chris Revill frequently help out with live events, guest on episodes, and are my behind-the-scenes partners in all things podcasting. More than that Bri is a great friend and a strong mental health advocate. This episode is an honor for me to record, and for you to hear. Bri has never told this story publicly, and today she offers us her vulnerability and courage to tell us the tragic story of the death of her siblings. Bri grew up in an abusive home. During her childhood her brother murdered their sister and then killed himself. Bri shared the details and events of that time, about life immediately afterwards, and of her mental health and trauma recovery work. Listen to hear how she survived and built  the wonderful life and famil

This week's quick mental health tip is all about the word normal, a tricky word to say, to ourselves and others, due to its tricky set of definitions. A look into the power of terminology on our psychological health.

A sample of this week's Patrons-Only feature, looking at the psychology of humor and jokes, and also the history of why Slipping on a Banana Peel is so super funny...or once was?

Jason Shier is a Psychotherapist who specializes in somatic technique and internal emotional processes. He uses individually focused treatment, moving away from pathology or problem-based healthcare. Join us for our discussion of inner healing, modern therapy, and the pros and cons of diagnostic labels and programmatic approaches.  The Charity of Focus this month is Munchausen Syndrome, a nonprofit focused on education of medical child abuse. 1/2 of your donation will go to this organization each month if you join Patreon within July, and will continue as long as you are a supporter of the show. You can also go to www.munchausensyndrome.com to learn more or donate directly.

The Monday Mental Tip this week is focused on the use of gratitude to improve relationships and psychological health.

Writing a Trauma Narrative is an important part of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It is also something that is not a part of many modern trauma therapies. When did the Trauma Narrative become a thing, and why is it considered by some to be old-fashioned? What are the pros and cons of writing a narrative, or CBT for Trauma?   Learn the answers to these questions on this month's Thursday Thistory, available to all, and get weekly dives into history by subscribing to the Broken Brain's Patreon feed, at www.patreon.com/brokenbrain 

Medical Child Abuse is defined as a caregiver purposefully making falsified or exaggerated claims of symptoms in their child, resulting in harmful or inappropriate medical treatment. Often referred to as Munchausen By Proxy Syndrome, this abuse is underreported and extremely dangerous to the child. Andrea Dunlop is the host of the podcast "Nobody Should Believe Me," where she profiles cases of Medical Child Abuse and shares information about the effects of this terrible problem. She is also the co-founder of Munchausen Support (www.munchausensupport.com)a nonprofit organization providing education & support to those dealing with this complicated issue. She joins the program today to share the experiences and insights she has gained through this work.  Please plan to view or Join The Broken Brain's third annual Live Stream for Opioid Overdose Awareness & Addiction, streaming on August 29th. Go to www.dwighthurst.com/live for more information about how you can view or join the event.

Monday Mental Tip: Standing up for things we believe in is a form of self-care!

Albert Ellis was a pioneer in the field of therapy, genius, and frankly kind of a weirdo. His techniques live on in modern therapy, mostly in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, even though his philosophy was considered somewhat of an alternative approach to CBT when he developed them. He was also a blunt, direct, often abrasive man who struggled interpersonally throughout his life.  This is the first 5 minutes of this week's dive into mental health available to Show patrons. Check out www.patreon.com/brokenbrain to join up and gain access to bonus materials. AND check out www.outnebraska.org, this month's charity of focus, to help support Queer individuals living in Nebraska. 

Andy Hogan is an Author, Counselor, Advocate, and Musician specializing in Bipolar Disorder. He recently released a musical album related to his most recent book "Love For Mental Illness: How To REACH, Help, and Heal." As 2 guys with Bipolar Disorder, Andy and I had a good time talking about his approach and his music to break down this serious health condition.  This month The Broken Brain is highlighting the charity www.OutNebraska.org, a Nebraska based charity that educates and advocates for Queer individuals in their state. 

Monday is the day for a quick Mental Health Tip from The Broken Brain Podcast!  Today's tip is related to conflict based communication, an idea for generating healthy questions to defuse the anger. Please remember the charity of focus for June: www.outnebraska.org, a nonprofit proving advocacy and community education to make life safer for LGBTQA+ citizens of Nebraska.

This is a 3 minute sample of this week's Patreon episode, a look into the history of naming Bipolar Disorder. In 1980 the name of Manic-Depressive Disorder was officially changed to Bipolar Disorder. Why did they do that? Was it good, bad, or just something that happened? This week's Thistory History dive is a look into the practice of changing diagnostic names, and the clinical social reasons behind that.

Greg Wooley is a poet, sobriety advocate, and the cofounder of Florida Recovery Schools of Central Florida. The Recovery High School model creates an educational environment focused on support for teens with addiction problems. Greg and I were able to discuss Harm Reduction, fundraising, nonprofit management, and the damaging stigma still associated with addiction. The Broken Brain is promoting OutNebraska this month, a nonprofit focused on supporting LGBTQA individuals in Nebraska. Check them out at www.outnebraska.org 

If you don't plan time for self-care needs, they will happen anyway. The difference is that they will happen once we crash and will be surrounded by same. For the month of June The Broken Brain is encouraging you to support and share OutNebraska, an organization helping make Nebraska a safer & healthier place for Queer people: www.outnebraska.org