Back from the Abyss: Psychiatry in Stories

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/

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.

In the streets and sidewalks of every American city, a slow motion disaster is unfolding, with ever increasing numbers of people suffering from serious mental illness and/or addiction. Why is this happening? What can we do to help our most vulnerable citizens? Here Dr.  H sits down with Dr. Dave Iverson, a Colorado psychiatrist, advocate, and policy expert who has devoted his entire career to caring for the most ill patients with the least resources.  We get to hear what it's like to work in the psychiatric trenches-- the deep sense of urgency and purpose, along with the constant losses and ever growing numbers of people to serve.  BFTA on IG @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/

Psychedelic Somatic Institute founder and trauma expert, Saj Razvi, joins the host to explore topics such as treatment resistance, developmental trauma, the concept of the void, reenacting abusive relationships, somatic reenactment, attachment vs love, and the importance of experiential trauma treatments.

Explore the speaker's insights from conducting over 3000 ketamine sessions, covering patient selection, benefits for PTSD, safety, treatment variations, therapy importance, and patient response diversity.

Dr. Adele LaFrance, a Colorado-based psychologist and co-creator of Emotion Focused Family Therapy, explores the transformative role of love in therapy. She discusses how consciously inviting love into therapeutic practices can create safe and boundary-aware spaces. The conversation delves into her groundbreaking research in 'The Love Project,' examines profound experiences of love, and addresses the integration of psychedelics in healing. With insights from personal narratives, they reveal love's profound potential in fostering emotional connections and enhancing trauma recovery.

Dave and Laurie sit down with Dr. H to share their journey through the denial, fear, grief, and eventual acceptance of their son’s life-altering psychiatric illness.NAMI Family to Family supporthttps://www.nami.org/Support-Education/Mental-Health-Education/NAMI-Family-to-FamilyBFTA on Instagram. @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/

Parents share their experiences of caring for adult children with serious mental illness, including the challenges they face, early signs of illness, navigating delusions, and the impact on their marriage. The unique grief and lack of societal support are also discussed, emphasizing the importance of support and grieving in the recovery process.

Dr. Julia King Olivier, Swiss psychiatrist and co-founder of the Compassionate Care Center in Geneva, discusses her experiences with psychedelic-assisted therapy in Switzerland. Topics include criteria for prescribing psychedelic therapy, rethinking traditional therapy, exploring psychedelic training, growth gifts in therapy sessions, emotional vulnerability and self-care, and the importance of co-therapists in psychedelic psychiatry.

The podcast discusses the negative impact of using THC concentrates and cannabis for self-medication of anxiety and depression, leading to dependence and severe physical and mental symptoms. It explores the correlation between childhood trauma and catastrophic anxiety, the challenges of seeking help, and the benefits of finding a therapist. The speaker shares their experience with panic attacks and the impact of family dynamics on seeking support. It also delves into the difficulties of managing mental health while using THC concentrates and the long-lasting effects on the brain.