Renegade Ape - Psychology, Philosophy, and the Overton Wasteland

In today’s episode Prof. Carmine Pariante joins us to discuss the biology of stress, everything from the anatomy of the brain, to the endocrine system, and how it’s all functions together. We explore the evolutionary advantages of the stress response, how the pressures of modern life can cause stress to become chronic, and how the physiological damage of long-term stress can lead to conditions such as anxiety and depression. For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker Podcast Image: Amy McTigue https://flic.kr/p/5PkrCC Theme Music: Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010

Writer and activist D.J. Jaffe joins us to discuss the distinctions between serious and non-serious mental illness, why anti-stigma and anti-suicide campaigns are misguided, the damaging myths about serious mental illness perpetuated by the media, and ultimately how mental health advocates are failing the very people they profess to be trying to help. For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker Podcast Image: MJ Klaver https://flic.kr/p/7YgY1N Theme Music: Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010

Is it time to drop your diagnosis? In today's episode Dr. Jucy Johnstone joins us to discuss why the concept of psychiatric diagnosis is both invalid and unreliable, we weigh up the benefits and consequences of being labelled with a particular disorder, and ask whether or not it’s time to abolish psychiatric diagnosis altogether and replace it with an alternative approach. For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker Podcast Image: Wikimedia https://goo.gl/ZktpA5 Theme Music: Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010

Dr. Nick Grey joins us to discuss PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). In today's episode we explore the definitions and subjective nature of "trauma", why women are twice as likely to suffer with PTSD than men, the difference between a normal and disordered trauma response, and what differentiates PTSD from other anxiety disorders. We discuss the nature of malevolence and why acts of evil are more likely to result in trauma than accidents and natural disasters, why narrative and meaning plays such an important role in a person's recovery. For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker Podcast Image: RANT 73 https://flic.kr/p/NbNTfL Theme Music: Ryan Little https://www.youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010

Is there any truth to the modern caricature of psychoanalysis as an expensive waste of time exploring Oedipal issues and repressed memories? Or is there more to it? In today's episode Prof. Elizabeth Lunbeck helps us explore some of the basic ideas of Freudian psychoanalysis, what it is and where it came from, what modern psychoanalysis looks like in practice, and whether or not Freud still has anything to offer in the the 21st century. For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker Podcast Image: Tnarik Innael https://flic.kr/p/4DV5Gj

Could a loss of control be at the root of all mental health problems from anorexia to OCD? In today's episode Dr. Warren Mansell joins us to discuss the transdiagnostic approach to understanding psychological distress, and why Method of Levels could prove to be the Holy Grail of psychotherapy. For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker Podcast Image: Max Pixel http://bit.ly/2vTJidc

World renowned sex therapist Wendy Maltz joins us to discuss the social and psychological consequences for young men who grow up with fast and easy access to increasingly extreme pornography. For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker Podcast Image: Heather Hopkins https://flic.kr/p/4nGnjd

I’m a skeptic when it comes to energy psychology, and much of what alternative medicine claims to offer, particularly when it comes to mental health. However, rather than dismiss these concepts outright, I think it’s better to give them a fair hearing, and let you guys make up your own minds. For those of you unfamiliar with EFT, or tapping as it’s commonly known, it’s basically a form of alternative medicine which claims that tapping on certain acupuncture points can help relieve various psychological problems. In today’s episode, I'm joined by Dawson Church, PhD, founder of EFT Universe, to discuss the origins and theory behind EFT, it’s professed application to the likes of anxiety and PTSD, whether “blocked energy” is at the cause or effect of psychological distress, and whether or not the positive effects of EFT can be explained away by the placebo effect. For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker Podcast Image: Tomás Fano https://flic.kr/p/8P2LZ6

What causes maternal OCD? Is it down to hormonal changes, living in risk averse society, or the evolutionary desire to keep our children safe from harm? In today's episode, Dr. Fiona Challacombe joins us to discuss the nature and content of the obsessions and compulsions in Maternal OCD. We explore why maternal OCD is given such little attention compared to other mental health issues, , whether or not this condition has long term ramifications for the children of parents with OCD, and most importantly how to seek treatment. For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker Episode Image: Julian Fong http://flic.kr/p/8TToae

Valerie Young is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker and world renowned expert on the imposter syndrome. Valerie first experienced imposter feelings herself during her graduate program at the University of Massachusetts in 1982, and has studied the phenomenon ever since. After 30 years of insight, in 2011 she published the award winning book "The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It". To date, she has taught her “How to Feel As Bright and Capable As Everyone Seems to Think You Are” program to over 80,000 people at organizations such as Boeing, Procter & Gamble, IBM, Apple, Chrysler, and Facebook. In today's episode we discuss the origins of the imposter phenomenon, why people experience it, who is most susceptible, why it can be harmful to our careers and mental health, and most importantly, how to overcome it. For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

Mark Williams is the founder of Father’s Reaching Out and co-founder of International Father’s Mental Health Day (19th June). After experiencing a traumatic labour during the birth of their son Ethan in 2004, both Mark and his wife Michelle struggled with crippling anxiety and post-natal depression. While Michelle recovered, Mark continued on a downward spiral which eventually culminated in suicidal ideation and a complete nervous breakdown. After finally seeking help, Mark has since made a full recovery, and now makes it his life’s mission to raise awareness of perinatal mental health issues in fathers. For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

Jenni McCartney, Chair of Samaritans and volunteer for over 30 years, shares why it's important to offer the gift of listening to people who are suffering. In today’s episode we learn about the history and formation of Samaritans, how and why Jenni first became a volunteer and, more importantly, why she decided to stick with it for more than thirty years. We explore the most common reasons people turn to Samaritans, how it evolved from a suicide prevention line into an emotional support service that anybody could call for any reason, why Samaritans policy is primarily to listen without giving advice, and how this approach can often be more effective in helping callers find the answers they’re looking for. We also explore what it’s like to be a volunteer answering calls, what’s involved in the training process, what you actually say and do when a call comes in, how you learn to help other people deal with their negative life experiences without letting it affect your own emotional well being, but ultimately, how listening to other people’s problems is, more often than not, a rewarding experience for both parties. For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

Today we discuss the topic of suicide with Prof. Rory O'Connor. In today's conversation we explore some common myths about suicide, why men are three times more likely than women to die by suicide and the role and responsibility of the media when it comes to reporting on this particular issue. We discuss the development of Rory’s theory of suicidal behaviour and his mission to discover what separates the few people who do die by suicide from the vast majority who don’t, the effectiveness of suicide awareness campaigns, why suicide should never be seen as a cop out and suicide attempts never dismissed as attention seeking. We also spend a good deal of time exploring some practical advice for people, and the friends and relatives of those people, who are themselves feeling suicidal. For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

In today’s episode we discuss the origins of stigma, from the etymology of the word itself to historical depictions of mental asylums. We draw lines of distinction between concepts such as ignorance, prejudice and discrimination and how each of these manifests in the real world. We explore how the media depicts mental illness, how stigma is actually measured and quantified by researchers, the importance of anti-stigma campaigns such as Time To Change and the ways in which they’ve proved successful. We touch on the recent trend in anti-stigma campaigns aimed specifically towards men, we ask if discrimination is ever justified, and most importantly Graham gives a few tips on how people with mental health issues can navigate the potential minefield of disclosure. For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

So, what does caring for somebody with severe mental health issues involve, and who typically takes on this role? In today’s episode I'm joined by Prof. Fiona Lobban and Lizzi Collinge to discuss the emotional impact that being a carer can have, such as feelings of self blame, isolation and the threat of social stigma, and thus why carers are more susceptible to developing their own mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. We explore how caring can alter, and sometimes destroy, the dynamics of certain relationships, the impact that caring can have on people’s social lives, the art of knowing when to step in and take control versus knowing when to step back and let go, and why communication is the key to avoiding anger and resentment. We look at some of the costs involved in caring and how it can sometimes affect a person’s ability to work, the kind of support that already exists for carers and what needs to improve, the importance of speaking to other people with lived experience in keeping up morale, and all-in-all, why carers are ultimately the unsung heros of our mental health system. For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast Email: danny@myownworstenemy.org Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker