Podcast: To Therapy or Not to Therapy?
"People don't want to see a therapist because they think that means they're crazy. But, who decided that?"
~Gabe Howard
Today, we discuss the pros and cons of therapy. What it is, why it works, why it doesn't work, and every tangent in between. Spoiler Alert: One host loves therapy and the other host doesn't love therapy. Listen in now.
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Betterhelp. Save 10% on your first month with the discount code "BSP22" or by clicking here.
About the Hosts of A Bipolar, A...
The Fantastical World of Damian Jacob Markiewicz Sendler
Meet Damian Jacob Markiewicz Sendler aka Dr. Damian Jacob Sendler aka Damian Dariusz Markiewicz.
According to him, he’s “an award-winning Polish-American clinician sexologist, the scholar of forensic and legal medicine, the scientist trained in digital epidemiology, and the media health expert personality.” He’s been quoted by more than a dozen online publications internationally about his unique research examining human sexual behavior.
However, according to Gizmodo journalist Jennings Brown, much of his professional résumé and background is a lie. Is Brown right or is Sendler a bona...
Podcast: Deep Q’s For an NYC Woman with Schizophrenia
"When I was at home, I'd be talking to myself and they're like, What are you laughing at? What is so funny? And I'd be like, Oh, nothing, nothing at all. But yeah, they figured it out. They all figured it out."
~Michelle Hammer
Sometimes people think our hosts, Gabe and Michelle, are actors just playing a role for the show. We can assure you, they are real people managing severe and persistent mental illness. In this episode, Gabe interviews Michelle about her life in New...
Podcast: Handling Money with Mental Illness
So it's like spend your money, have less money, get on Medicare or have more money, have no health insurance. . .
It doesn't make any sense. You're stuck in an endless cycle.
~MIchelle Hammer
Bipolar and schizophrenia can make handling finances challenging -- to say the least. Even famous pop stars like Britney Spears have had well documented issues managing money.
In this episode, our hosts discuss some common issues, ponder some solutions, and vent about the obstacles people living with mental illness face while trying...
Podcast: Our Take on Gun Violence and Mental Illness
"They say, well, something's got to be wrong with you if you shoot a bunch of people. Yeah, I am not going to argue that point. Something's got to be wrong with you if you shoot a bunch of people, but It's not (NECESSARILY) serious and persistent mental illness."
~Gabe Howard
Whenever there is mass violence in the United States, politicians are quick to blame people living with mental illness. These same politicians are often also quick to the cut mental health budgets and create barriers...
Podcast: Died From Mental Illness (CW: Suicide)
It's called suicide, but it should be called death from mental illness. We don't die from "cancer-cide", as an example.
~Gabe Howard
Last summer, Michelle Hammer's friend died by suicide. In this heartfelt and vulnerable episode, Michelle discusses her emotions about her friend, including her anger and confusion. Both hosts discuss why it would be better if people saw suicide for what it really is -- death from mental illness.
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Betterhelp. Save 10% on your first month with the discount code...
Podcast: Moving Past Depression (and Other Musings)
Why don't we ever talk about how despite our best efforts, we are depressed? Now, let's figure out how to move forward.
~Gabe Howard
We've all heard the adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." When it comes to depression, however, this expression holds even more significance. For one thing, there is no "cure" for depression, so prevention is obviously deserving of our efforts.
But how do you prevent something when you're already suffering from it? Moving forward with depression is the best most...
Howard Stern Goes to This Old-Fashioned Psychotherapy, Throws Shade on Other...
Howard Stern, the well-known radio-show host, is a huge proponent of psychotherapy. But whenever the topic comes up during an interview, he makes is more clear that he is a bit of a therapy snob. There is only one type of therapy that he considers worthwhile.
Modern psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is typically provided by a psychotherapist who is trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy and other modern, research-backed therapeutic techniques. Therapists come in all shapes and forms, must be licensed in their state, and can have...
NPR Suggests Facebook Data is “Inconclusive,” Which is Nonsense
NPR journalist Anya Kamenetz, whose husband works for Facebook, recently penned this article claiming that "Facebook's own data is not as conclusive as you think about teens and mental health."
Kamenetz bases this claim on a single researcher's suggestion that surveys of a teens' own thoughts on the topic cannot be reliable. How does the researcher, Candice Odgers, know this?
Why, based on her own study of course. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. But I would assume a researcher in this field would accurately...
Simone Biles Bravely Stands Up For Her Mental Health
It’s easy to malign an athlete when they fail to perform according to our expectations. We do it regularly when a quarterback misses a simple throw or a basketball player misses an easy dunk. We do it from the safety of our recliners, safely ensconced in a world where we personally sacrifice little in order to express our usually-unoriginal opinion.
When we watch the Olympics, however, that discontent when an athlete fails to perform can be taken to another level. There is a belief –-...