Back from the Abyss: Psychiatry in Stories

Dr. Russell Carr was a career Navy psychiatrist for 20 years and served in Iraq, where today’s story begins.  This is a story of a healer, then a terrible wounding, then the healer trying to find his way amidst the chaos of war. This story is about a rite of passage, one that not every psychiatrist faces, but most do at some point-- that of losing the first patient to suicide, then trying to find the strength to move forward.Dr. Russell CarrA Psychiatrist Returns from War-- on Substackhttps://russellcarr.substack.com/BFTA on IG @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/Support the show

A huge problem with current psychiatric diagnosis is that it often lumps completely unrelated things under the same vast and vague tent, such as with the diagnosis of "Major Depressive Disorder".   Here Craig sits down with his patient Rebecca to try to make sense of her complex early onset depression and how it played out via addiction, anorexia, and pathological caretaking and how she was finally able find the grace and compassion to prioritize care for herself.Bringing Therapy into Med Management-- An intensive psychotherapy training in Colorado with Dr.  Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/training/BFTA on IG @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/Support the show

Here Dr. H sites down with Jenny, a psychoanalyst who shares her moving, then horrifying, then eventually cathartic tale of plumbing the depths of her traumatized psyche, first with years of psychoanalysis, then with five MDMA-assisted therapy sessions. This is a story of numbing and forgetting, then re-opening and remembering...of finding a way to make sense of a life of protective dissociation.Bringing Therapy into Med Management-- An intensive psychotherapy training in Colorado with Dr.  Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/training/BFTA on IG @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/Support the show

In this solo episode Craig shares his current thoughts on MDMA medicalization, sleep meds, ADD, motivation vs self-discipline, benzos, how long to stay on psych meds, a change and a proposed addition to his top 10 med list, borderline vs bipolar, and marriage.Bringing Therapy into Med Management-- An intensive training with Dr.  Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/training/BFTA on IG @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/Support the show

Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani, a leading expert on eating disorders and founder of the Gaudiani Clinic, discusses the nuanced challenges of treating these complex conditions. She delves into the origins of eating disorders, emphasizing cultural and psychological factors, while also addressing the struggle of anosognosia in patients. The conversation highlights the sensitivity required in discussions around body image and weight, critiques bariatric surgery, and advocates for a compassionate, weight-neutral approach to treatment. Lastly, she explores the transformative journey from restrictive eating to intuitive practices.

Explore the intricacies of repetition compulsion, where unresolved childhood traumas lead to self-destructive patterns. Hear Katey’s gripping story of battling through emotional neglect and toxic relationships, embodying a tug-of-war between her healthier self and old habits. Discover the profound impact of therapy as a tool for breaking cycles of addiction and unhealthy dynamics. The discussion navigates resilience amidst chaos, emphasizing the journey toward authenticity and the healing power that comes from making different choices.

The rising tide of psychiatric emergencies in the US most commonly ends up in the emergency room, where psychiatrists are almost never found and the brunt of the heavy lifting falls on emergency medicine physicians.  Here Dr. H sits down with Dr. Treve Henwood, an emergency med physician and host of the Rural EM podcast to explore the often overwhelming challenges inherent in trying to effectively manage and treat these psychiatric crises.BFTA on IG @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/Support the show

Roger McFillin, a psychologist and host of the Radically Genuine Podcast, digs deep into the complexities of modern psychiatry. He and Dr. H critique the flawed structure of psychiatric diagnoses and the perils of medications without informed consent. They highlight the transformative potential of psychedelics like ketamine for trauma healing. The duo emphasizes a holistic approach, urging a move beyond mere medication to incorporate therapy and personal growth in mental health care.

What does it feel like to be manic?  It can be very difficult for people to accurately recall manic episodes— they aren’t stored like typical narrative memories, but rather they often feel like confusing and out of control reveries that seem to have happened to a different version of themselves. Then comes the guilt and the shame that often follows manic episodes, as a result of the loss of normal social inhibition, the lack of fear, and the surging dopamine levels… leading people to take risks and do things they would never normally do, typically within the big three “Ss”- Spending, speeding, and sex. Here Craig sits down with Louise Barnett, host of the Together S.O.B.E.R. podcast, as she shares her harrowing journey through years of cyclical mania, eventually finding a way to not just make peace with bipolar disorder, but to use it to her advantage.Louise Barnetthttps://www.instagram.com/louisedbarnett/?hl=enBFTA on IG @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/Support the show

Carrie Haynes, a group therapist and host of The Art of Groups podcast, joins the show to talk about the unique benefits, risks, and challenges of group therapy. They discuss the power of open feedback, forming close bonds, transitioning to a heart-centered approach, circle work as a modality, reflecting on privilege and power dynamics, and facilitating heart connections in group therapy.