Former NIMH Director Thomas Insel & Sarah Fay On Fixing the Broken Mental Health Care System
May 30, 2022
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Award-winning author Sarah Fay and former NIMH Director Thomas Insel discuss moving away from simplistic mental health diagnoses, prioritizing self-work for healing, and not letting struggles define identity. They highlight the flaws of the diagnostic process, advocate for personalized care, and emphasize support, hope, and societal perception changes.
Recognize negative thoughts as overreactions to the environment to cope effectively.
Seek second opinions and explore diverse treatment options for mental health challenges.
Shift focus to recovery care, emphasizing people, place, and purpose for long-term well-being.
Deep dives
Recognizing the Power of Evolutionary Psychiatry in Managing Negative Thoughts
Writing down negative thoughts and recognizing them as an overreaction to the environment, as highlighted in the podcast, can provide a powerful strategy for coping. By understanding that the brain is designed to focus on danger, individuals can acknowledge these thoughts, crumple them up, and move forward, easing the impact of negativity on their mental well-being.
The Importance of Seeking Diverse Perspectives for Mental Health Challenges
The podcast delves into the significance of seeking various perspectives and second opinions when navigating mental health challenges. Highlighting the value of consulting different professionals or specialists, the importance of exploring treatment options beyond initial diagnoses and committing to a self-care plan tailored to individual needs is emphasized.
Shifting Focus from Diagnosis to Recovery and Well-Being
The conversation underscores the need to shift the focus from diagnosis to recovery and well-being in mental health care. Emphasizing the importance of recovery care beyond acute responses, the three crucial elements of people, place, and purpose are highlighted as key factors for achieving long-term well-being and thriving post-mental health challenges.
Empowering Individuals to Embrace Healing Journeys
Encouraging individuals to embrace healing journeys beyond mere symptom management, the podcast underscores the resilience and strength inherent in the process of recovery. By acknowledging the complexities of mental health challenges, fostering supportive relationships, and cultivating a sense of purpose, individuals can navigate their unique paths to mental wellness and empower themselves in the healing process.
The Shift in Mental Health Care
The podcast discusses the shift in mental health care towards empowering individuals who have personally experienced mental health issues to help others. This shift aims to utilize the expertise gained from personal experiences to support those in need. It emphasizes the importance of peer support and the therapeutic value of helping others in the recovery process.
Importance of Physical Health in Mental Well-Being
The episode highlights the correlation between physical and mental health, emphasizing the significance of maintaining physical well-being for mental wellness. It delves into the role of exercise as a natural antidepressant and anti-anxiety intervention, particularly for mild to moderate cases. The discussion extends to the necessity of a holistic approach, including medication and therapy, for severe mental health conditions.
Today I have a very special treat As we have two guests on the show. First, we have Sarah Fay who is an award winning author and mental health advocate working to improve how we think and talk about our mental health by moving the conversation away from simplistic diagnoses and toward a deeper understanding of our mental and emotional lives. Her personal experience of being diagnosed with six different mental health disorders and finding no relief led her to investigate the diagnoses that we receive and to write her journalistic memoir, Pathological: The True Story of Six Misdiagnoses, which apple book shows as one of the best books in March.
Joining her to unpack a lot of this and more is Dr. Thomas Insel who's a psychiatrist and neuroscientist who has been a national leader in mental health research, policy, and technology. From 2002 to 2015, Dr. Insel served as director of the National Institute of Mental Health.
We talk about why diagnoses and symptoms shouldn’t be the focus in treating our mental health, how we should work on ourselves first and allow healing, why we should not allow what we are growing through to define our identity, and so much more!
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