Podcast: One of us Was Naked! Truth or Lie?
"I zone out on a train and I talk to myself on the trains and I was out of it on the train. I kind of left that part out, didn't I?"
~Michelle Hammer
For the final episode of season 2, we play Two truths and lie. Gabe covers eating disorders, inappropriate behavior, and his hatred of language policing. Michelle covers zoning out, disclosing her diagnosis, and takes us back to her freshman year in high school.
Two stories are true, one is a lie. The rules...
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...
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...
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: Nail Biting and Hair Twirling (Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors)
Why you gotta turn my nail biting into some big mental thing. I just bite my nails, why are people making it such a big thing?
~Michelle Hammer
Nail Biting. Hair Pulling. Skin Picking. All of these "bad habits" fall under the category of Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors or BFRBs. In today's episode, Gabe and Michelle discuss their issues with BFRBs and some potential solutions -- though they readily admit sometimes the solution can be worse than the habit.
This podcast is proudly sponsored by Betterhelp. Save...
Podcast: Is Mental Illness Trendy Now?
"Have we gone so far that the actual definition of mental illness has been lost and it has been sort of retconned to mean different?"
~Gabe Howard
"Hauntingly beautiful," "ride the lightning," and even famous quotes like "we're all mad here" are often used to positively describe mental illness. It's the "every cloud has a silver lining" mentality.
But is it true? Does mental illness have a positive side that is used to create things like incredible art and great literature? In this episode, our hosts...
Podcast: TikTok Star Kody Green Talks Schizophrenic Story Time
"I talk to people who aren't there. I'll have hallucinations pretty much on a weekly basis, even medicated."
~Kody Green, The Schizophrenic Hippie
Kody Green, better known as the schizophrenic hippie, is a TikTok sensation -- among other things. But did you know that this podcast inspired him to start his channel? Our hosts were just as surprised as you.
In this episode, Michelle, Gabe, and Kody discuss advocacy, hateful emails, and the benefits of putting yourself out there. Join us as two schizophrenics and a...
Do Smartphone Apps Help Your Mental Health?
Can smartphones help your mental health? Goldberg et al (2022) recently conducted a study to see whether mobile smartphone apps can help your mental health. The researchers' conclusion?
"Taken together, these results suggest that mobile phone-based interventions may hold promise for modestly reducing common psychological symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety), although effect sizes are generally small (Ed. -- not true) and rarely do these interventions outperform other interventions intended to be therapeutic (i.e., specific active controls)."
They conducted what is called a scientific "meta review" (also called...
Podcast: Loved Ones Distrust Us Due to Our Mental Illness
". . . nobody wants to walk through hell, come out the other side and say, Well, but you're mentally ill.
How garbage is that? It's garbage."
~Gabe Howard
Recovery is hard to both achieve and maintain when it comes to mental illness. It's a long journey and in its wake are mistakes, missteps, and relapse. But, once you come out the other side and start living the life you were meant to live, everyone gets on board with the new you. Right?
Join our hosts...
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...