Brain Trash: Psychiatry from DSM to Dumpster Fire

Send us questions here!

This episode dives into one of the most frustrating realities facing the neurodivergent community: getting an autism diagnosis is harder than it should be — and that's not an accident.

We explore the flaws of the ADOS assessment, the financial and systemic incentives that drive gatekeeping, and the lack of adequate training among professionals evaluating adults. Maria and Tabitha also discuss why self-diagnosis and community-based knowledge are not only valid but vital, and what meaningful advocacy for change looks like.

Key topics covered:

• Systemic barriers in autism diagnosis
• Critique of the ADOS and its limitations
• Financial incentives behind diagnostic gatekeeping
• Neurodiversity beyond standard testing
• Advocacy for broader access to evaluations

🌸 We're joining this year's #Podcasthon and proudly supporting the Paperflower Foundation, which works to bridge mental health access gaps for underserved Arizonans.

Socials:
Facebook: Paperflower Psychiatry
Instagram&Threads: @paperflowerpsychiatry
Tiktok: @dr.mariaingalla
Websites:
www.paperflowerpsychiatry.com
www.paperflowerinstitute.com
www.courses.paperflowerinstitute.com

Send us questions here!

In this episode of Brain Trash, Maria and Tabitha unpack how hormones hijack mental health, especially for people with ADHD navigating birth control, perimenopause, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

They explore how hormonal shifts affect dopamine, medication response, mood regulation, and executive function, why ADHD symptoms often worsen during hormonal transitions, and how testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone interact with psychiatric treatment.

The conversation also highlights gaps in women’s health research, the importance of individualized care, and why patients must advocate for themselves when treatment suddenly stops working.

If you’ve ever wondered why your meds feel different, your symptoms escalated out of nowhere, or no one warned you about menopause being a mental health event, this episode is for you.

🔔 subscribe for more neuroaffirming, evidence-based conversations
 🌸 learn more at paperflowerpsychiatry.com

Socials:
Facebook: Paperflower Psychiatry
Instagram&Threads: @paperflowerpsychiatry
Tiktok: @dr.mariaingalla
Websites:
www.paperflowerpsychiatry.com
www.paperflowerinstitute.com
www.courses.paperflowerinstitute.com

Send us questions here!

In this episode of Brain Trash, Maria and Tabitha unpack the hormonal chaos of pregnancy and postpartum through a neurodivergent lens. They explore what happens to neurotransmitters during pregnancy, why postpartum can feel like a neurochemical ambush, and how ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence intersect with hormonal shifts.

The episode also addresses medication management during pregnancy, the emotional and hormonal aftermath of miscarriage, and the long-term changes many people experience for years after giving birth. Maria and Tabitha highlight the importance of supportive providers, evidence-based guidance, and compassionate community care.

Whether you are pregnant, postpartum, navigating loss, or supporting someone through it, this episode offers validation, clarity, and practical tools grounded in clinical experience.

Key Topics Covered:
• How pregnancy hormones reshape mental health
• Why postpartum depression is common and often overlooked
• The unique challenges neurodivergent individuals face postpartum
• ADHD and hormonal fluctuations
• Medication safety and management during pregnancy
• Miscarriage and the neurochemical fallout
• The long game of hormonal change
• Finding providers who understand both hormones and neurodivergence
• Support systems and community resources, including PSI

Socials:
Facebook: Paperflower Psychiatry
Instagram&Threads: @paperflowerpsychiatry
Tiktok: @dr.mariaingalla
Websites:
www.paperflowerpsychiatry.com
www.paperflowerinstitute.com
www.courses.paperflowerinstitute.com

Send us questions here!

Your hormones aren’t just background noise — they’re out here running monthly side quests that impact mood, focus, energy, and mental health.

In this episode, Maria and Tabitha dig into how the menstrual cycle actually works, why hormonal education is so inaccessible, and why neurodivergent folks often feel hormonal shifts more intensely.

From “why do I feel feral today?” to “is this ADHD or estrogen?”, this is the breakdown your providers should have given you years ago.

We also share practical, neurodivergent-friendly ways to track your cycle so you can understand your patterns and support your mental health with more clarity and self-compassion.

🌸 Listen now on Brain Trash.
🌸 Learn more at https://www.paperflowerpsychiatry.com

Socials:
Facebook: Paperflower Psychiatry
Instagram&Threads: @paperflowerpsychiatry
Tiktok: @dr.mariaingalla
Websites:
www.paperflowerpsychiatry.com
www.paperflowerinstitute.com
www.courses.paperflowerinstitute.com

Send us questions here!

Are psychedelics the future of psychiatry—or just another wave of hype? In this episode, Maria and Tabitha sit down with John Greeley to break down what the research really says about psychedelics like psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine. We cover safety, harm reduction, cultural concerns, and what clinicians and patients alike need to know.

✨ Learn about:

• The science behind psychedelics and the brain
• Why harm reduction matters
• How providers can support patients using psychedelics
• The cultural and ethical tensions shaping this field

🔔 Subscribe for more honest, neurodivergent-affirming conversations on mental health.

 📖 Learn more: paperflowerpsychiatry.com

Socials:
Facebook: Paperflower Psychiatry
Instagram&Threads: @paperflowerpsychiatry
Tiktok: @dr.mariaingalla
Websites:
www.paperflowerpsychiatry.com
www.paperflowerinstitute.com
www.courses.paperflowerinstitute.com

Send us questions here!

Ketamine has been called a breakthrough treatment for depression, PTSD, and anxiety. But behind the hype lies a complex reality. In this episode of Brain Trash, Maria Ingalla, Tabitha Arey, and John Greeley take on the promises and pitfalls of ketamine therapy—exploring its science, ethical dilemmas, and why integration is essential.

This conversation is a must-listen for clinicians, patients, and anyone curious about where ketamine fits into the future of mental health.

👉 Subscribe to Brain Trash wherever you get your podcasts.
 🌸 Learn more at paperflowerpsychiatry.com

Socials:
Facebook: Paperflower Psychiatry
Instagram&Threads: @paperflowerpsychiatry
Tiktok: @dr.mariaingalla
Websites:
www.paperflowerpsychiatry.com
www.paperflowerinstitute.com
www.courses.paperflowerinstitute.com

Send us questions here!

Buying cannabis shouldn’t feel like gambling with your mental health—but often it does. From high-THC strains that increase risk of negative outcomes to poorly regulated CBD products for kids, cannabis is far from simple.

In this episode of Brain Trash, Maria and Tabitha talk with John Greeley about cannabis, psychiatry, and why informed choices matter.

🌸 Learn more: here
📑 Info Resources: here
🌱 CBD Resources: here

Socials:
Facebook: Paperflower Psychiatry
Instagram&Threads: @paperflowerpsychiatry
Tiktok: @dr.mariaingalla
Websites:
www.paperflowerpsychiatry.com
www.paperflowerinstitute.com
www.courses.paperflowerinstitute.com

Send us questions here!

"I Want To Rip My Skin Off": Sensory Hell and Sex

What does sex feel like when sensory input is overwhelming or painful? In this episode of Brain Trash, we explore the intense (and often unspoken) connection between sensory processing and intimacy for autistic and neurodivergent individuals.

We talk about touch aversion, masturbation as self-discovery, aftercare, scripting your needs, and why hookup culture often fails neurodivergent bodies.

This one’s raw, honest, and validating as hell.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

Socials:
Facebook: Paperflower Psychiatry
Instagram&Threads: @paperflowerpsychiatry
Tiktok: @dr.mariaingalla
Websites:
www.paperflowerpsychiatry.com
www.paperflowerinstitute.com
www.courses.paperflowerinstitute.com

Send us questions here!

The Safe Word is “Consent”: The Psychology of Autism and Sex

What do kink, structure, and sensory regulation have in common? For many autistic individuals, BDSM isn’t just about pleasure—it’s about safety, identity, and healing.

In this episode of Brain Trash, Maria and Tabitha explore:

• Why autistic folks are often drawn to kink communities
• The comfort of clear roles, rules, and rituals
• How consent and power exchange can support trauma recovery
• The connection between sensory needs and intimacy
• Why clinicians need to stop pathologizing kink

This isn’t a taboo—it’s a mental health conversation.
 🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or right here.

Socials:
Facebook: Paperflower Psychiatry
Instagram&Threads: @paperflowerpsychiatry
Tiktok: @dr.mariaingalla
Websites:
www.paperflowerpsychiatry.com
www.paperflowerinstitute.com
www.courses.paperflowerinstitute.com

Send us questions here!

WELCOME TO THE SECOND SEASON OF BRAIN TRASH!

Autism and Sex: Myths, Consent, and Neurodivergent Intimacy

This episode of Brain Trash takes a bold step into a rarely discussed space: the intersection of autism and sex. Hosts Maria Ingalla and Tabitha explore the myths, misunderstandings, and unique challenges autistic people face in navigating intimacy, consent, and sensory overwhelm.

🔥 In this episode:

• Debunking myths about autistic sex and asexuality
• The pressure to perform and masking in intimate settings
• Why sensory awareness matters in sexual well-being
• The importance of consent and boundaries
• A call to action for providers and community advocates

Whether you're neurodivergent, a healthcare professional, or just ready to listen—this conversation is essential.

Socials:
Facebook: Paperflower Psychiatry
Instagram&Threads: @paperflowerpsychiatry
Tiktok: @dr.mariaingalla
Websites:
www.paperflowerpsychiatry.com
www.paperflowerinstitute.com
www.courses.paperflowerinstitute.com