Inside Mental Health

Is it trauma? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? Or both? Can trauma trigger OCD? Can OCD feel like trauma? In this episode, Dr. Nathaniel Van Kirk, a ADAA member and leading clinical psychologist and trauma expert, joins Gabe Howard to unpack the complex relationship between trauma and OCD. While both terms are widely used, few understand how deeply they can intertwine — or how often they’re misunderstood. Dr. Van Kirk explains why a traumatic event might trigger OCD in some people, how OCD symptoms can mimic trauma responses, and why compulsions often become misguided tools for managing fear. He also dives into the surprising statistic that up to 90% of people experience a traumatic event, and explores how our brains are hardwired to both break down and heal. Takeaways include: the difference between trauma, PTSD, and OCD why OCD isn’t usually considered a trauma disorder — but sometimes should be how clinicians decide which disorder to treat first why healing often means separating fear from fact If you’ve ever had intrusive thoughts or wanted to better understand the mental health impact of trauma, this episode is essential listening.   This episode has been sponsored by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). “For about 19% of individuals with OCD, they tend to have a comorbid PTSD diagnosis. I think that's much higher than what we initially thought as a field. Initially we thought it was rare, and part of the challenge is that for many years these two things were treated as silos. You were either a PTSD and trauma therapist or an OCD therapist. And very rarely did we cross over. It turns out that was not the great approach, because in reality, there's actually a lot more overlap than we thought. And finding out that it's actually a very common experience that people just didn't talk about.” ~Nathaniel Van Kirk, PhD Our guest, Nathaniel Van Kirk, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, specializing in severe anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and trauma/PTSD. At McLean Hospital, Dr. Van Kirk is the director of psychological services at the OCD Institute. He is a member of the hospital’s Patient and Family Advisory Committee and Interdisciplinary Recovery Oriented Practice Committee, and also serves as the site facilitator for McLean’s Schwartz Rounds Committee. Dr. Van Kirk’s clinical research focuses on the role of motivation across treatment and the impact of trauma on treatment outcomes, and on promoting innovative methods to assess and conceptualize recovery. Additionally, he is involved in efforts to reduce mental health stigma (such as participating in McLean Hospital’s Deconstructing Stigma campaign), emphasizing the importance of bridging the gap between therapists, researchers, and those with mental health challenges, including individuals who work in the mental health field. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think everyone working in Hollywood is rich, famous, and living the dream? Think again. In this episode, host Gabe Howard pulls back the velvet curtain with therapist and Hollywood insider Shanelle Connell to expose the reality behind the entertainment industry’s glossy facade. Forget the multimillion-dollar paychecks and private jets — most working actors, crew members, and directors grapple with constant rejection, financial insecurity, 12- to 15-hour workdays, and the unrelenting pressure to smile through it all. Even finding a therapist can be a minefield when your life is dismissed as glamorous nonsense. Takeaways: The emotional whiplash of booking a gig… and the crash that follows How societal judgment can keep performers from getting help The hidden cost of “doing what you love” when your work devours your identity Why so many stay in the industry — even if it weighs on them Whether you watch tons of movies or just wonder how fame warps mental health, this conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about Hollywood — and the humans who keep it running. Our guest, Shanelle Connell, completed her BA in Psychology at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan. While there, she briefly served as a UBC Mental Health Network board member and performed research under Dr. Jocelyn Wentland and Dr. Suzanne Holtzman. Additionally, she participated in the Indigenous Research Mentorship Program, which awards First Nations, Inuit, and Métis undergraduate students (like herself) the possibility to work alongside faculty mentors to gain research experience of their ideal interest. Shanelle also ensured to enroll in many special interest classes at her university, like the Psychology of Creativity, Humour, and Interpersonal Relationship Psychology – contributing to her expansive understanding of how our unique psychology colours every aspect of our lives.  As a former Miss Universe Canada delegate and Miss World Okanagan, Shanelle has used her platform to actively advocate on behalf of individuals who have experienced and survived domestic, mental, and sexual violence/abuse – and continues to work with individuals healing from the effects of narcissistic trauma.  In 2019, Shanelle re-entered the film industry and began her professional work as an actor. She leveraged her 20+ years engagement in performance arts and commercial market to guide her journey as she made her way to on-screen entertainment. However, Shanelle did not start there and has worked in various positions like stand-in and graphics department, producing, and even has had a behind-the-scenes look at the chaos that follows agency life and the casting process. Hence, she truly understands our everyday ups and downs in this creative field. Today, Shanelle is an active member of UBCP-ACTRA and the CMPA, living between Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia. She frequently collaborates with our unions, non-profit organizations, and industry leaders to ensure she stays proficient in what film needs for mental health support. Even more, she values the feedback of her peers (those on and off set) on what can make her practice and our industry better. Therefore, Shanelle proudly amalgamates this insider information with her credentials to finally offer our colleagues what they deserve. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the sudden mood changes, crushing fatigue, or unexpected anxiety you’re experiencing aren’t just stress or part of getting older, but signs of depression linked to perimenopause? In this episode, ADAA member expert and psychiatrist Dr. Crystal Clark joins host Gabe Howard to shine a light on one of the most overlooked mental health issues affecting women: the biological storm of perimenopause and its deep connection to depression and anxiety. They break down why up to 40% of women experience depression during this hormonal transition — and why so many are told to just “tough it out.”You’ll learn the early warning signs to watch for, the science behind hormonal shifts and mental health, and why dismissing symptoms as “normal aging” could be harmful. Plus, they explore how therapy, medication, lifestyle shifts, and even hormone therapy can play a role in recovery. Whether you’re in perimenopause, supporting someone who is, or just want to understand this life stage, this episode delivers clarity, compassion, and concrete takeaways. This episode has been sponsored by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). Our guest, Dr. Crystal Clark, is an internationally recognized psychiatrist in women’s mental health. She holds a Canada Research Chair in Reproductive Mental Health. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and the Associate Head of Research at Women’s College Hospital. Dr. Clark specializes in mood and anxiety disorders specifically across the reproductive life span (from menstruation to peri and post menopause). Dr. Clark’s research has focused on psychopharmacology for the treatment of perinatal mood disorders.  Her research aims to prevent the recurrence of illness during pregnancy and postpartum through safe dose optimization and personalized dosing strategies. Her research also aims to develop identification and prevention strategies for all persons with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders including those who are disproportionately impacted by these disorders. Dr. Clark’s research has been funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research and the National Institutes of Health.  Among Dr. Clark’s many leadership roles, she is a past president of the Marcé of North America, an organization dedicated to advancing perinatal mental health care, and she serves on the board of directors of Marcé International. She has been a contributor to large initiatives in Canada and the US to improve perinatal mental health in North America. As a thought leader, Dr. Clark is a thought leader and has been a contributor by several media outlets including CBS, NPR, NY Times, and Chicago Tonight regarding issues related to perinatal mental health. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the biggest obstacle holding you back isn’t your past but your mindset? Psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD, challenges everything you think you know about trauma, resilience, and personal growth. In this episode, you’ll discover why labeling every setback as “trauma” can keep you stuck, how social media turns psychology terms into empty buzzwords, and why blaming the world won’t set you free. Host Gabe Howard dives deep into the difference between being a victim and living with a victim mindset — and why refusing to let go of a painful past can quietly sabotage your future. Learn about post-traumatic growth, the empowering idea that you can transform adversity into strength. Explore how to replace learned helplessness with learned hopefulness, and why embracing an empowerment mindset might be the key to unlocking your full potential. Key takeaways: how to recognize a victim mindset — and break free from it why trauma doesn’t have to define you the difference between acknowledging pain and living in it practical ways to build resilience and reclaim your life If you’re ready to stop waiting for someone else to fix your life, this conversation will show you how to rise above and live your best life. Cold Open Transcript: “I'm not a fan of blanket labeling things as a disorder or an illness, which are actually just extreme versions of personality traits. You can be a victim to your past. You can be a victim to your emotions. You can be a victim to your self-esteem. You could be a victim to your need to please. I am trying to help and empower people, wherever they've come from, to consider their hope for the future and consider what they still have left within themselves what resources they have left and what strengths they can draw on. I It's a choice. It's a choice. It's not always the obviously easiest route. It's not always the path of least resistance, but it's one that’s ultimately more satisfying and meaningful.” ~Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD Our guest, Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD, is a cognitive psychologist who is among the top 1% most cited scientists in the world for his groundbreaking research on intelligence, creativity, and human potential. He is the host of The Psychology Podcast, which has received more than 30 million downloads and is frequently ranked the #1 psychology podcast in the world. He is a professor of psychology at Columbia University and director of the Center for Human Potential. Dr. Kaufman’s writing has appeared in The Atlantic, Scientific American, Psychology Today, and Harvard Business Review, and he is the author of ten previous books, including Transcend, Wired to Create, and Ungifted. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if giving birth left you with nightmares, hypervigilance, and a constant sense of dread — and no one believed you? Worse, what if you didn’t think it mattered because, after all, the baby is healthy? In this eye-opening episode, host Gabe Howard talks with ADAA member expert Dr. Lauren Sippel about a condition many have never heard of: postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dr. Sippel explains what postpartum PTSD really looks like, why it's often misdiagnosed, and how to tell the difference between typical new parent stress and clinical trauma. Often overshadowed by postpartum depression and dismissed by loved ones and providers, postpartum PTSD is a silent struggle affecting far more people than we realize. If you or someone you love has felt lost or dismissed after childbirth, this conversation could be life-changing. Special thanks to Evernorth Health Services for providing funding for today's episode. Additional Links: PC-PTSD-5—infographic (self-screening tool): https://adaa.org/sites/default/files/2021-01/How%20to%20Know%20If%20You%20Should%20Talk%20with%20Your%20Healthcare%20Provider%20About%20PTSD.pdf Postpartum Support International website: https://www.postpartum.net/ “There are so many things that can happen in that delivery. I've heard about the peaceful ones. I personally had two unmedicated ones that were not intentionally unmedicated. There was a lot of screaming. And my babies were healthy. And some things went as smoothly as expected and some things did not go as planned. And one of them was pretty scary. And thankfully I did not experience PTSD symptoms from that. Could I tell you why, Gabe? Absolutely not. And if I did, I probably couldn't tell you that either.” ~Lauren M. Sippel, PhD Our guest, Lauren Sippel, PhD, is the Deputy Director of the Northeast Program Evaluation Center in the Department of Veterans Affairs and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. She co-leads the ADAA PTSD Special Interest Group. Her research focuses on improving the quality and effectiveness of psychotherapies, particularly those for PTSD, using strategies such as medication augmentation and family involvement. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Drew Ramsey, a board-certified psychiatrist and author, emphasizes the urgent need for mental fitness in our daily lives. He discusses how simple habits—like eating more vegetables and taking regular walks—can dramatically enhance brain health. The conversation also explores how social connections serve as 'brain superfoods' and the importance of addressing trauma for long-term resilience. Tune in for practical, science-based hacks that transform mental health without convoluted treatments or strict diets.

Is your child a picky eater, or is it something more serious — and how can you tell? Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) goes far beyond food preferences. It’s driven by deep-seated fears of choking, vomiting, or other anxieties that can lead to dangerous nutritional deficiencies. In this episode, Gabe Howard sits down with ADAA member expert Dr. Jacqueline Sperling, a clinical psychologist and Harvard Medical School professor, to break down the signs of ARFID, outline how it differs from typical picky eating, and mention when parents should seek professional help. Learn how to spot the red flags, understand the role of anxiety in food avoidance, and discover ways to support kids managing this lesser known eating disorder. If mealtimes are a battle in your home, this episode is a must-listen! Special thanks to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America for sponsoring this episode.  “They could have different obsessions of what might happen should they eat any of those foods. Some could have a fear that there's contamination. Some can have a fear that it's cooked all the way. Some can have a concern that something separate from the food, but a negative consequence may happen if they eat those foods. It can also happen that someone is worried about having IBS symptoms in public, so they don't want to eat certain foods. And so they limit the foods that they eat, or even when they're at home because they're worried about when they go out in public afterward.” ~Jacqueline Sperling, PhD Our guest, Jacqueline Sperling, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, assistant professor in psychology at Harvard Medical School, and the co-founder and co-program director of the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program at McLean Hospital. She is the author of the young adult nonfiction book “Find Your Fierce: How to Put Social Anxiety in Its Place” and a contributor for Harvard Health Publishing. Dr. Sperling specializes in implementing cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention and working with youth with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She also focuses on caregiver guidance, such as by using behavioral parent training, to help families address children’s internalizing and externalizing behaviors. In addition, Dr. Sperling is passionate about disseminating evidence-based information to the community, and she frequently speaks about the impact of social media use on mental health. Moreover, Dr. Sperling is committed to increasing access to care and participates in advocacy at state and federal government levels. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cults don’t always start with Kool-Aid or crime scenes — sometimes, they begin with yoga classes, utopian promises, or someone saying you’re special. In this episode, Gabe Howard sits down with journalist and author Wendy Biddlecombe Agsar, whose book “Cults: A True Crime Collection” explores how seemingly “normal” people fall into manipulative groups. From love bombing and spiritual seduction to sleep deprivation and isolation, Wendy unpacks the subtle tactics cults use to recruit and retain followers — and why it’s not about being gullible or broken. She shares her own brushes with cult-like communities and explains how even caring interventions can backfire by reinforcing a cult leader’s narrative. If you’ve ever wondered, “How could anyone fall for that?” — this episode is your answer. Thought-provoking, emotional, and packed with insight, it just might change the way you see cults — and yourself. "(You may be thinking) I would never hurt another person. I would never believe in aliens. But the way cults work, you're not really joining a destructive organization. You're joining a group based on some ideology that is probably a little bit different from the news headlines. . ." ~Wendy Biddlecombe Agsar Our guest, Wendy Biddlecombe Agsar, is a freelance editor and reporter living in Leipzig, Germany. She is a contributing editor at “Tricycle: The Buddhist Review” and the author of “Cults: A True Crime Collection.” Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into a no-holds-barred conversation that shatters common myths about self-harm. Join host Gabe Howard and renowned psychologist and ADAA member expert Dr. Gillian C. Galen as they explore the intricate world of self-harm and emotional regulation. Delving into the neuroscience behind adolescent brain development and its impact on behavior, Dr. Galen explains why self-injurious behaviors are more prevalent during youth and how they evolve — or sometimes subside — in adulthood. They discuss the common reasons behind self-injury and why it’s far more complex than the stereotypes we see in movies and media. They explore the surprising ways self-harm can signal deep emotional distress, reveal underlying trauma, and even affect relationships. Whether you’ve been directly affected or want to better understand the struggles of those you care about, this conversation is a must-listen. Special thanks to McLean Hospital for providing funding for today's episode. “If you see that somebody is self-injuring, it really means, like the level of distress that they are in and the difficulty, like the deficits in coping skills, like they're missing a set of coping skills is pretty profound, right. And you know, the consequences are pretty high. They don't have another skill. We're basically saying, stop self-injuring. What are they going to do with those emotions? What are they going to do with them? Clearly, if they had another way to manage them, they would. I've never met somebody that started self-injuring that has said I had other coping skills, but I chose this instead. Usually when they start self-injuring, it's because they don't know what else to do.” ~Gillian C. Galen, PsyD Our guest, Gillian C. Galen, PsyD, is a senior child and adolescent psychologist specializing in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). She is the director of training for the 3East continuum, an array of programs for teens that use DBT to target self-endangering behaviors and symptoms of borderline personality disorder. She has extensive experience diagnosing and treating adolescents and young adults who struggle with emotion dysregulation, anxiety, depression, trauma, and self-endangering behaviors, such as self-injury and suicidal behaviors. Dr. Galen has a particular interest in the use of mindfulness in the treatment of borderline personality disorder and psychiatric illnesses. She is the co-author of the books “Mindfulness for Borderline Personality Disorder: Relieve Your Suffering Using the Core Skill of Dialectical Behavior Therapy”, “Coping With BPD: DBT and CBT Skills to Soothe the Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder”, and “DBT for Dummies.” Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking to turn your big dreams into reality? You’re not alone — and it might not be your willpower that’s holding you back, but the way you set your goals. In this episode, host Gabe Howard welcomes Dr. Ross G. White, clinical psychologist, author of “The Tree That Bends,” and founder of Strive to Thrive, to demystify the SMART framework and help you build goals that stick. Together, Gabe and Dr. White unpack each letter of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-limited) to show you how to transform vague aspirations (“I want to get fit”) into crystal clear, trackable targets (“I will complete three 30-minute strength workouts each week for the next month”). You’ll hear concrete examples, common pitfalls, and Dr. White’s insider tips for aligning your goals with what truly matters in your life. Plus, stick around for a candid discussion on why the “stay hard,” grit-and-grind mentality might be selling you short — and how a flexible mind can be your secret weapon for thriving, not just surviving. Tune in and start setting goals you’ll actually achieve! “The mere ordinary seems to be resistant to going viral. It's only the incredible and the extraordinary that goes viral. So we are skewed in terms of some of the reference points that we have around what we should be capable of, what we should be doing, what we should be achieving. And that leads us to be highly motivated to try to make an impact, to establish ourselves. But it also then can tip over into threat if we feel that we're falling short, or that people are judging us for not being enough, for not doing enough, for not contributing enough.” ~Dr. Ross White Our guest, Dr. Ross White, is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast and the founder of Strive2Thrive, a clinical psychology consultancy firm that provides interventions and training to help individuals and organizations thrive. He is an expert in supporting the mental well-being of adults working in high-performance settings. Ross is the author of several books, including “The Tree That Bends: How a flexible mind can help you thrive.” Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices