Back from the Abyss: Psychiatry in Stories

BFTA's co-conspirators explore what they learned this season, their favorite episodes, ideas/plans for season 5, whether BFTA has become too psychedelic-heavy, and what they most value in each other.BFTA on Instagram. @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/Support the show

In this final story of season 4, Craig speaks with Wayne, a longtime patient of his who has battled treatment resistant depression and crippling anxiety for many years.  Wayne's story highlights a few crucial things— the fact that sometimes you can do everything right, do all the self-care things, yet still be waylaid by the crushing dark force of depression…this story also illustrates the power of the therapeutic relationship, and the fact that two people can deeply respect and care for each other, even when they land on opposite ends of the religious and political divide.BFTA on Instagram. @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/Support the show

Can you treat >95% of all patients with mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders with just ten meds? Dr. H says YES.Here he posits his top ten, based on efficacy, safety, tolerability, and cost.BFTA on Instagram. @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/Support the show

Ana, a Mexican curandera and medicine woman, shares her deep wisdom on plant medicine and healing practices. She discusses the mindful use of psychedelics, contrasting it with past mistakes in the field. The conversation highlights her role in guiding self-discovery and the importance of ancestral connections. Ana emphasizes bridging Western and Indigenous healing, advocating for a collective healing approach rather than individualistic methods. Her insights provide a refreshing perspective on integrating spirituality and nature into modern mental health practices.

Dr. H explores how to think about psychedelic assisted therapy with ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin in terms of patient selection, ideal indications, psychiatric diagnosis,  trauma history, medical comorbidities, medication interactions, cautions, and contraindications. This episode comes from a recent interview that Dr. H did on the podcast The Testing Psychologist."The Unwell Doctor" episode on the podcast The Nocturnistshttps://www.thenocturnists-shame.org/episodes/9-the-unwell-doctorBFTA on Instagram. @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/Support the show

Dr. H sits down with Dr. Will Van Derveer of the Integrative Psychiatry Institute and Higher Practice podcast in a wide-ranging exploration of what's good (and not so good) in current psychiatric practice.They explore topics including: •Problems with diagnostic nosology•Depression as a spiritual problem or a symptom of disconnection•Integrative psychiatry and how this differs from standard psychiatry•Getting at root causes of psychiatric illness•The role of psychotherapy in good psychiatry practice•Diagnosing and treating ADD•Ketamine-- Dosing, route,  how and when to include adjunctive psychotherapy•Ketamine via tele-health....Expanding access or increasing risk?•What other psychiatric and non-psychiatric clinicians are missing•Vicarious trauma and grief in psychiatry •Hopes and concerns with recent psychedelic decriminalization Psychedelic Practitioner Immersivehttps://www.enduringlovetherapy.com/events-1/psychedelic-practitioner-immersive-psychedelic-space-holding-integrationDr. Will Van Derveer and the Integrative Psychiatry Institutehttps://psychiatrycenters.com/team-members/will-van-derveer-md/Higher Practice podcasthttps://psychiatryinstitute.com/podcast/BFTA on Instagram. @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/Support the show

The magic of psychotherapy is that it brings forth transference— the patient’s most important and formative relationships, typically with early caregivers, are unconsciously re-enacted in the therapy room. And this transference necessarily creates countertransference, the therapist’s unconscious reactions to the transference. Alexandria came to Dr. H originally due to her severe harm OCD. But over time, it became clear to him, and eventually to her, that she was increasingly, and unconsciously, trying to put him in the role of the abandoner, the critic, the emotional abuser. This process is called projective identification, and as you will hear, it played out very dramatically between them, and was a major factor in her plans to die.BFTA on Instagram. @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/Support the show

Thirty years ago, a 10 year old boy was found stabbed to death in a park…the same park where 18 year old Stephanie and three young men were seen riding bikes the night before. Stephanie and the others were repeatedly questioned, they became the prime suspects…..yet they, nor anyone, was ever charged for the murder. It remains unsolved to this day.This is the story how how one event can alter the course of your life, how so many possibilities for the future can disappear overnight….this is a story of how after years of unhelpful psychotherapy and medications, Stephanie was finally able to uncover what lay beneath-- with the help of an unusually perceptive therapist, as well as ketamine and MDMA- assisted psychotherapy.BFTA on Instagram. @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/Support the show

After years of crippling anxiety, substance abuse, mood instability, and loss, Daniel had finally found the path to impending fame and success beyond his dreams. Then everything fell apart, and he was forced to face the fact that he lacked the skills to face life on life's terms. Enter DBT, and Daniel began to piece his life back together with increasing confidence and competence.To contact Daniel about Peer-led DBT groups or Dual Diagnosis 12 step meetings:dualrecoveryresource@gmail.comBFTA on Instagram. @backfromtheabysspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/backfromtheabysspodcast/BFTA/ Dr. Hhttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/Support the show

Join psychologist Dr. Kelly Sonnenfeld, a DBT expert, as she discusses the transformative power of Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Delve into the origins of DBT and how it addresses self-harm and suicidality, particularly for those facing emotional dysregulation and complex PTSD. Learn about the key principles of DBT, including emotional co-regulation and the innovative use of tools like the diary card in treatment. Dr. Sonnenfeld also reflects on personal experiences that illustrate the collaboration between therapists and psychiatrists in supporting clients on their recovery journey.