Ask Kati Anything

Understanding psychosis can feel overwhelming, but separating myths from facts helps remove the fear. In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton breaks down what psychosis actually is, how delusions and hallucinations develop, and what recovery looks like.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Psychosis and Common Misconceptions

01:47 Does Having Psychosis Mean You Have Schizophrenia?

07:07 What Does Psychosis Actually Look Like? (Hallucinations & Delusions)

14:09 Breaking Down the DSM Criteria for Schizophrenia

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19:30 Hearing Your Name vs. Experiencing Real Psychosis

24:12 Grief-Induced Perceptions vs. Psychotic Episodes

27:56 What Is the Brain Doing During a Delusion?

39:59 Can Sleep Deprivation, Stress, or Drugs Cause Psychosis?

48:26 Memory Gaps and Trauma Memories During Psychosis

56:15 How to Respond to Someone Experiencing Paranoia

58:34 Is Violence Common in Psychosis? (Media vs. Reality)

01:00:52 How to Help Someone Who Lacks Insight Into Their Illness

01:03:30 Full Recovery, Early Intervention, and Managing Relapse Fear

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The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship.

Ask Kati Anything ep. 335 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT

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What Is Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD)? Do you struggle to make decisions without someone else’s approval? Do you constantly seek reassurance, fear being alone, or stay in unhealthy relationships because the thought of leaving feels terrifying?

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Specialized virtual trauma treatment is available through Rebound. Founded by survivors and psychologists, Rebound provides clinically effective trauma therapy covered by leading insurance plans: https://hellorebound.com/askkatianything

Timestamps

18:54 - Advice vs. Reassurance: Finding What You Really Think

Why Do I Keep Doing This?

X https://twitter.com/KatiMorton

The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship.

Ask Kati Anything ep. 334 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT

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What is a trauma bond, and why is it so hard to leave an unhealthy relationship even when you know you deserve better? In this episode, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton breaks down what trauma bonds actually are, why intermittent reinforcement and the "hope trap" keep us stuck, and how to finally break free.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Trauma Bonds

02:39 Shared Trauma vs. Trauma Bonds

08:22 Why You Can Miss Someone Who Treated You Terribly

12:51 Intermittent Reinforcement and the "Casino" Effect

22:10 Can You Genuinely Love Someone Who Hurts You?

26:42 Trauma Bond vs. Anxious Attachment vs. Codependency

32:55 Why Do We Keep Going Back?

39:59 Why Leaving Feels Worse at First (Cognitive Dissonance)

46:36 Childhood Trauma and Vulnerability

49:08 Grief, the Death of the Dream, and Practical Autonomy

53:03 Is "No Contact" Always Necessary? (Safety First)

56:30 How to Actually Break a Trauma Bond

Ask Kati Anything ep. 334 | Your mental health podcast, with Kati Morton, LMFT

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Are you constantly craving connection but terrified of rejection? Avoidant Personality Disorder (AvPD) goes beyond typical shyness or introversion—it can keep you trapped in a cycle of loneliness and an intense fear of judgment.

In this video, we explore the distinct symptoms of AvPD, how it heavily overlaps with social anxiety, and why someone might desperately want friends but actively avoid them. We discuss how this pervasive pattern develops, the role of a negative cognitive bias, and the practical steps and therapies (like CBT and Schema Therapy) that can help you finally build meaningful, lasting relationships.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Viewing this content does not establish a therapist-client relationship.

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Are disturbing intrusive thoughts a sign of OCD, or are they just severe anxiety? Licensed therapist Kati Morton explains how Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is clinically diagnosed, why common expressions like Pure O and taboo obsessions are frequently misdiagnosed, and how to tell the difference between tidy preferences and true compulsions. Learn the neuroscience behind the obsessive-compulsive cycle, why constant reassurance backfires, and how exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy helps you break the loop.

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What is the Dark Triad, and how can you tell if you’re dealing with a narcissist, a psychopath, or someone high in Machiavellianism? In this episode, licensed therapist Kati Morton breaks down the core traits of dark triad personalities, the key differences between them, and the common myths surrounding manipulation and empathy. You'll learn the 6 telltale signs of interacting with someone who has dark traits, what the psychological "D-factor" really means, and whether people with these patterns can truly change.

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Have you ever felt completely disconnected from your body, lost hours of time, or wondered why you feel numb when overwhelmed? In this episode, licensed therapist Kati Morton explores dissociation and the full spectrum of dissociative disorders, including depersonalization-derealization (DPDR), dissociative amnesia, and dissociative identity disorder (DID). You'll learn the neuroscience behind why your brain pulls the ripcord to protect you, how to distinguish normal spacing out from trauma responses, and somatic grounding techniques to regulate your nervous system.

To see if specialized trauma therapy with Rebound could be the right next step for you, head to https://hellorebound.com/askkatianything where you can check your insurance, book a free call with one of their care specialists, and find out more.

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What is Complex PTSD (CPTSD), and how does it differ from traditional PTSD or Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)? In this episode of Ask Kati Anything (Ep. 328), licensed therapist Kati Morton breaks down the ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for Complex PTSD, the impact of chronic emotional abuse and neglect, emotional flashbacks, and practical treatment modalities like TF-CBT, EMDR, and DBT.

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Narcissism, narcissistic abuse, and NPD get thrown around constantly online, and most of what circulates is wrong. In this episode, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton walks through what narcissistic personality disorder actually is (all nine DSM criteria, and why five or more are required for a diagnosis), the difference between covert and overt narcissism, and the specific behavior patterns that make a relationship abusive: love bombing, gaslighting, trauma bonding, DARVO, flying monkeys, isolation, and intermittent reinforcement. She also covers the gray rock method, the signs you're walking on eggshells in your own home, and how healing from narcissistic abuse actually works.

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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is deeply misunderstood, heavily stigmatized, and far more complex than just "being emotional". In this episode of Ask Kati Anything, licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton breaks down the official BPD diagnostic criteria from the DSM, explaining how BPD symptoms actually present in real life, therapy offices, and everyday relationships. She explores the underlying fear of abandonment, idealization and devaluation (splitting), identity disturbances, and why BPD so frequently overlaps with PTSD, trauma, and ADHD. Plus, discover actionable evidence-based BPD treatment options like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, and Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) to help manage emotional dysregulation, navigate relationship boundaries, and work toward long-term remission.

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