The Broken Brain

Meg Boberg joins me for another very Special Broken Brain episode! It's Quadruple D: D's Deep Diagnostic Dives. This time we are discussing the DSM 5 Criteria of Bipolar and Bipolar II disorder. We review the diagnostic information that mental health practitioners use to identify Bipolar (and Type II), and talk about our own experiences with Bipolar Disorder.

Sharon Blady, former Health Minister, Mental Health Advocate, and Super Duper Marvel fan joins me today to talk about the examples of grief, trauma, and recovery woven into the storytelling of the MCU show Wandavision. Spoilers for Wandavision. This episode was originally created for our Patreon feed. Check out patreon.com/brokenbrain to learn how to gain access to more of our secret bonus episodes.

Peter Strong is a psychologist, therapist, and mindfulness coach. He has been doing online mindfulness work for 15 years. A mindful approach to healing differs from other forms of therapy in that clients are encouraged to focus and meditate ON their negative feelings instead of distracting away from them. Purposeful focus on disturbing thoughts, feelings, or patterns can lead to acceptance and new reactions. You can learn more about Peter's work at www.pdmstrong.wordpress.com. At the end of the episode there is a brief message about the ethics of online sessions. Check out www.patreon.com/brokenbrain to become a patron of the show, and learn about the fun bonus materials.

Meg Boberg is a Healthcare Writer and a Mental Health Advocate. She came on the show to discuss her experience as a patient who has undergone Ketamine Treatments for Depression and Mood Stability. Meg shares how Ketamine has affected her mental health care, what aftercare and ongoing symptoms look like following the treatment, and how she views Ketamine as a a part of her personal health management. Follow Meg on Instagram @megboberg.

This is a re-broadcast-podcast of an episode in 2015 in which Dr. Mel Pohl joined the show to discuss the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for patients with Chronic Pain Problems. Dr Pohl is the Chief Medical Officer of the Las Vegas Recovery Center, Author of multiple books on living with chronic pain, and is internationally known for his work in the treatment of chronic pain and addiction. Also joining this episode are Andrew Frost, DPT, Physical Therapist with the The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (TOSH) in Salt Lake City Utah, Psycho therapist Lee Messersmith.

Dr. Shari Corbitt is the founder and director of Awakenings Treatment Center, and an expert in Eating Disorders, Chronic Pain, and Complex Trauma. In our discussion she shared information about the frustrations, misunderstandings, and lack of compassion that many run into when dealing with chronic pain. She also taught me a lot about the hope, thriving, and support that can (and should) be there for those working with pain, and how important an understanding of PTSD and trauma is to understanding and experiencing treatment.

This is a rerun episode from several years ago. I am re-releasing it due to the outbreak of Opioid and Fentanyl overdoses that is currently happening within the drug-using population. More to come on that. NOTE: this episode focuses on a Harm-Reduction approach, including positive statements regarding the use of opiate-blockers and Suboxone. Jamilia is a specialist in that area. Jamelia Hand returns to the Broken Brain to discuss the dynamic of drug overdose and how this plays a role in recovery, especially for Opiate and Heroin addiction. We discuss things like Harm Reduction, Treatment beyond quitting, dangers of overdose, and the use of the label of "addict," amongst other things.

Tim Pickett is a Physician's Assistant (PA-C) in the State of Utah. He is a member of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, a founding team member of utahmarijuana.org and one of the hosts of the Utah in the Weeds Podcast. He is an advocate and educator for safe, research based Medical Marijuana use. He writes and speaks in order to de-stigmatize prescription of Cannabis. We discuss pros, cons, risks and benefits of Marijuana prescription.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder is a diagnosis that was created to help treatment of children in order to differentiate between non-cycling mood instability (especially anger) and Bipolar Disoder. This is another Quadruple D episode, Deep Dives Delving into Diagnosis. I'll review the diagnostic criteria and talk a little about this diagnosis, added for the first time to the DSM 5, the current version of the Diagnostic manual for mental health disorders.

This is a rerun of a classic episode and partnership episode of the Broken Brain. Right before the release of the MonkeyTraps book and podcast, Steve Hauptman appeared on the Broken Brain to talk about the desire for Control, and how it plays into our own addictive processes. Check out the book Monkeytraps, and listen to the first several chapters for no charge on the MonkeyTraps Podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts.