Hello, all! So just a little heads up. I'm super annoyed because in this episode, there were a couple undesirable sounds including a loud as cricket that wanted to ruin my life and also a rattling microphone that was being dramatic whenever I slightly bumped it. Aside from that, it was a great episode that covers the following questions:  I love my partner, but I crave attention from others. Why am I this way and what can I do about it? I may have borderline personality disorder, but don't want my diagnosis to be a crutch. What can I do to live a normal life?  As always, you can send me your questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the show notes at duffthepsych.com/episode262   This episode is brought to you by ACORN TV. Get thousands of hours of new, enthralling content from the UK and beyond for a fraction of the cost of other streaming services. Head over to acorn.tv and use the coupon code duff for 30 days free!

Episode 262: Feeling Bad for Wanting Attention & Diagnosis as a Crutch

This is a podcast dedicated to answering your questions about mental health, anxiety, depression, relationships, sex, and life WITHOUT psychobabble BS. I am Dr. Robert Duff, a psychologist from Southern California, but I'm also a regular dude who legitimately wants to help out. I wrote the best selling books Hardcore Self Help: F**k Depression and Hardcore Self Help: F**K Anxiety. Those are available at http://hardcoreselfhelp.com

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Hello, everyone! Thank you SO much for joining me for episode 400. I can't believe it's been 400 episodes already. Blows my mind. In this episode, I have a (creepy) mystery question that I share, and I also go through some rapid fire questions from the Hardcore Self Help Facebook group. A special shout out to everyone who has been with me from the start. Here is to the next 100 episodes!  As always, you can send me questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the full transcript at http://duffthepsych.com/episode400 ---               Feeling proud of yourself for 2024 so far? Take time to celebrate your wins and make adjustments. Therapy is a great tool for setting goals, and BetterHelp offers convenient, online sessions to fit your schedule. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist and switch anytime at no extra cost. Visit betterhelp.com/duff for 10% off your first month.

400: Mystery Question & Rapid Fire Q&A

Hello, friends! In today’s episode, we tackle two profound listener questions that may resonate with many of you: Navigating Dating with a Stutter: A 38-year-old listener shares their struggles with stuttering, particularly how it impacts their dating life. They often need months to work up the courage to ask someone out and lose confidence if they stutter while doing so. We explore the nature of stuttering, its psychological impacts, and offer practical advice on managing anxiety, building self-confidence, and embracing one's uniqueness in social contexts.  Overcoming Self-Harm Scars and Building Confidence: Another listener, who self-harmed from ages 12 to 15, describes the ongoing shame they feel about their visible scars, which has affected their dating life and social activities. They seek advice on how to overcome this fear and become more open about their past. We discuss strategies for self-acceptance, the importance of vulnerability, and ways to reframe scars as symbols of resilience and survival. As always, you can send me questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the full show notes for this episode at http://duffthepsych.com/episode399 ---- I've been pretty open with you guys about my health journey and my goal to reduce blood pressure. That's why I'm excited about Magic Mind, a mental performance shot that includes L-theanine to help you stay energized all day without the crash from caffeine. You can get 48% off your first subscription or 20% off a one-time purchase with the code DUFF at magicmind.com/duff.  

399: Dating with a Stutter & Self-Harm Scars

Hello, friends! In today’s episode, we tackle three insightful listener questions that many of you might relate to: Choosing Not to Have Biological Children Due to Mental Illness: A listener shares their decision to not have biological children to avoid passing on their mental health struggles. They feel confident in this choice but encounter surprise and judgment from others. We discuss the validity of their decision, the heritability of mental health conditions, and the importance of respecting personal choices. Navigating Barriers to Inpatient Mental Health Treatment: Another listener is considering inpatient treatment but faces significant logistical and financial barriers. We explore the challenges of dealing with insurance, paperwork, and managing life responsibilities during treatment. Suggestions for alternative treatment options like intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and partial-hospitalization programs (PHP) are also discussed. Addressing Mismatched Sex Drives in a Relationship: A listener in a relationship with differing sex drives seeks advice on how to encourage their partner to address potential low testosterone or other medical issues affecting their libido. We delve into the complexities of communication about sexual needs, potential underlying relationship issues, and strategies for fostering open dialogue and seeking professional help. As always, you can send me questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the full show notes for this episode at http://duffthepsych.com/episode398. ---- OneSkin This episode is brought to you by OneSkin. Their products, formulated with the OS1 peptide, target skin aging at the cellular level, helping to strengthen the skin barrier and reduce signs of aging. Get 15% off with code DUFF at oneskin.co. BetterHelp This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Therapy can help you manage stress and improve mental health. Get started with BetterHelp, an online platform suited to your schedule. Visit betterhelp.com/duff for 10% off your first month.

398: Choosing to be Childless, Sex Mismatch, & Inpatient Treatment

Hello, friends! In today’s episode, we dive deep into a listener’s question about finding the right therapy for a variety of complex mental health issues. This 29-year-old woman is struggling with childhood trauma, mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression, and relationship issues. She is also seeking guidance on possible autism/ADHD symptoms and needs help navigating the overwhelming array of therapy options available. We explore the IPA framework (Immediacy, Problem, Approach) to help her and others identify the most suitable types of therapy. Additionally, we discuss the different types of therapists and their qualifications, the importance of cultural competency, and practical tips for finding a good therapist using various resources. This episode is a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to start their therapy journey. As always, you can send me questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the full show notes for this episode at http://duffthepsych.com/episode397  Support for today’s episode comes from OneSkin. I’m really excited to share OneSkin’s products with you because I’ve seen great results myself. Their topical supplements are scientifically proven and free from over 1,500 chemicals and preservatives that can cause irritation, making them perfect for sensitive skin. Just cleanse, pat your skin dry, and apply their OS-1 Face, Eye, Body, or Shield products twice daily. They fit easily into your current skincare routine. Founded by an all-woman team of scientists, OneSkin’s products target cellular senescence, a key hallmark of aging. Their OS-01 peptide has been shown to reverse skin’s biological age by reducing senescent cells by up to 50%. For a limited time, you can try OneSkin for 15% off using the code DUFF at oneskin.co. 

397: What Kind of Therapy Is Right for Me?

Hello, friends!    In today’s episode, we tackle a profound listener question that may resonate with many of you.  A listener who survived a suicide attempt at 13 is considering reaching out to the pediatric psychiatrist who assessed them during their hospitalization. They feel that the presence of medical students during their assessment was inappropriate and impacted their honesty. They're seeking guidance on how to provide feedback and advocate for their younger self.    As always, you can send me questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the full show notes for this episode at http://duffthepsych.com/episode396    Links:    https://www.nami.org/advocacy/    https://www.patientadvocate.org/    ---    Ready to release your stressors and find a safe space to talk? Try BetterHelp, an entirely online therapy platform that fits your schedule. Fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist, and switch therapists anytime for no extra charge. Get 10% off your first month at http://betterhelp.com/duff

Episode 262: Feeling Bad for Wanting Attention & Diagnosis as a Crutch

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