The Psych Central Show: Candid Chat On Mental Health & Psychology

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 rev