This episode was never supposed to exist. Mental health “rules” say patients and psychiatrists shouldn’t share power, shouldn’t speak publicly as equals, and definitely shouldn’t build a show together. Yet here we are — over 100 episodes in, winning awards, and recording our first-ever in-person episode.

In this special behind-the-scenes conversation, we pull back the curtain on “Inside Bipolar”: why so many doctors refused to participate, why patient-led advocacy makes professionals uncomfortable, and why influencer culture both helps and harms people living with bipolar disorder. We talk candidly about distrust of psychiatry, accusations of selling out, the rise of misinformation, and why scared people cling to loud voices over evidence. We also go somewhere rarely discussed in mental health media: self-doubt, self-deprecation, and the reality that success with bipolar disorder often looks painfully ordinary.

Listener takeaways

No toxic positivity. No “inspiration porn.” No pretending recovery is a mountaintop moment. Just two people — one with lived experience, one with medical expertise — talking honestly about what actually helps, what doesn’t, and why this unlikely partnership changed how both of us see mental illness, advocacy, and each other.

Cold Open Transcript:

Dr. Nicole: Which one is the real Gabe? You put yourself down, actually, quite a bit. Do you really have a low opinion of yourself? Like, are you fundamentally like this guy who really thinks, like, I suck, and I just get up every day and put one foot in front of the other one and do the best I can? Or do you have a lot of confidence because you, almost at the same time, have to have a ton of confidence to get in front of the camera and do the speaking and do all the things.

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldn’t be any of those things today if he hadn’t been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.
Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX.
Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health America’s Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero.”

Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa.
Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

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Advocacy isn’t yelling, protesting, or going viral — and for people with bipolar disorder, doing it the wrong way can actually make things worse. In this episode, we break down what real, effective advocacy actually looks like, starting where the stakes are highest: your everyday life and expanding to social and political activism — covering everything in between.

From setting boundaries with family members who won’t stop asking about your mental health to advocating calmly (and safely) with doctors, insurance companies, and healthcare systems to presenting in front of politicians, this episode tackles the uncomfortable truth: how you advocate matters just as much as what you’re advocating for.

Listener takeaways

Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, shares hard-earned lessons from decades of lived experience, including how passion can be misread as aggression, why “made-for-TV” advocacy fails in real life, and how preparation beats confrontation every time. Dr. Nicole Washington brings the clinician’s perspective, explaining how advocacy can unintentionally become antagonistic — and how to communicate your needs without risking your care or personal relationships.

If you’ve ever wanted to stand up for yourself — or for the bipolar community — but didn’t know how to do it without backlash, this episode gives you a roadmap.

“If you want to be an advocate, you need to develop a thick skin. Because if every time somebody criticizes a point of view, a part of your life, you lose control? Unfortunately, you're not just somebody who got angry during a debate. No, you're a mentally ill person who doesn't know how to behave in public. . .” ~Gabe Howard, Host

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldn’t be any of those things today if he hadn’t been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.
Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX.
Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health America’s Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero.”

Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa.
Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

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Being told to “calm down” has never calmed anyone down — especially if you are experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder. In this surprisingly funny episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar disorder) and Dr. Nicole Washington break down why the world’s most common advice backfires… and what truly helps instead.

Whether you’re spiraling at 2 a.m., overwhelmed in your car, or suddenly flooded with anxiety for no clear reason, the ability to de-escalate yourself is a core skill for managing bipolar disorder. But knowing how to calm down — without shame, judgment, or dismissive clichés — isn’t something most of us were ever taught.

Listener takeaways

So, take a listen as our hosts share practical, stigma-free tools you can start using immediately, from deceptively simple breathing exercises to naming emotions, reframing intrusive thoughts, and building a personalized “calm-down buffet” of strategies that actually work for you.

“And here's another pro tip that shouldn't be as earth-shattering as it is, but: admit it. Just admit that you need to calm down. Admit that you're anxious, agitated, overwhelmed, angry, elevated, whatever. Just admit it. Don't judge it. Practice some radical honesty with yourself and admit that you need to take a beat and that you need a moment. Don't try to deny it. And also don’t assume that it's because you live with bipolar disorder. You're a human with real emotions, but you still need to manage this.” ~Gabe Howard, Host

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldn’t be any of those things today if he hadn’t been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.
Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX.
Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health America’s Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero.”

Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa.
Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

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Traveling is supposed to be fun — but when you live with bipolar disorder, even a short trip can disrupt sleep, routines, and stability. In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar) and Dr. Nicole Washington get honest about why vacations can feel overwhelming, how to plan without fear, and the exact safeguards that make travel not just possible, but enjoyable.
From jet lag to family expectations, from “what if I’m not stable in 6 months?” to navigating early recovery setbacks, this conversation gives you practical, nonjudgmental guidance you can use immediately. Whether you’re planning your first overnight away or a bucket list vacation, you’ll walk away with tools to travel confidently, all without sacrificing stability.

Listener takeaways

If you’ve ever wondered, Can I actually travel with bipolar disorder? the answer is yes. And this episode shows you how.

"I have so many stories of me losing my mind out in public and needing to be calmed down and, you know, given water. I have so many stories of getting ready to go to the show, the concert, the play, the, the event, the whatever, and then refusing to leave and ruining it for everybody else. So I don't want anybody to think that this just came naturally. . ." ~Gabe Howard, Host

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldn’t be any of those things today if he hadn’t been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.
Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX.
Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health America’s Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero.”

Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa.
Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

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The mental health system didn’t start out fair — and in many ways, it still isn’t. In this powerful episode, Dr. Nicole Washington sits down with fellow psychiatrist Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox to unpack the long, painful history that continues to shape the experiences of Black Americans seeking mental health care. From the horrifying “diagnosis” of drapetomania in the 1800s to the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, they trace how mistrust, stigma, and systemic bias became woven into the Black community’s relationship with psychiatry.
But they don’t stop there. Dr. Nicole and Dr. Leesha explore the research showing that Black and Hispanic people are 3 to 4 times more likely to be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia instead of bipolar disorder — a mistake that can derail treatment, worsen symptoms, and put lives at risk.
Listener takeaways

Most importantly, they offer real, actionable advice: how to find culturally affirming care, how to navigate bias in the system, and how Black and other communities of color can break generational silence around mental health. This conversation is validating, eye-opening, and deeply empowering. Listen now!  

Our guest, Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox, affectionately known as Dr. Leesha, is a double board certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist. She earned both her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed her general psychiatry residency training, child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship, and community mental health/public psychiatry fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. Since 2009, she has lived and worked in Alabama and is the medical director at Central Alabama Wellness, a community mental health center located in metro Birmingham.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa.
Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

Our host, ⁠Gabe Howard⁠, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldn’t be any of those things today if he hadn’t been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.Gabe also hosts Healthline's ⁠Inside Mental Health⁠ podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health America’s Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero.”

Gabe wrote the popular book, "⁠Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations⁠," available from Amazon; signed copies are available ⁠directly from the author⁠ with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, ⁠gabehoward.com⁠.

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People with mental illness, including bipolar disorder, have long been denied the right to make their own reproductive choices. This episode looks at how psychiatry’s history and stigma continue to shape who gets to decide.

Dr. Nicole Washington sits down with mental health advocate Dr. Keris Myrick to unpack the intersection of reproductive justice and mental illness — and how stigma, outdated systems, and silence continue to rob people of autonomy over their bodies and futures. Together, they explore the three pillars of reproductive justice — the right to have a child, to not have a child, and to raise a child in a safe environment — through the lens of psychiatric care.

Listener takeaways:

Whether you’re living with bipolar disorder, a provider, or an advocate, this conversation will challenge your assumptions, break stigma, and offer new ways to protect choice, dignity, and autonomy for all.

Our guest, Keris Jän Myrick, PhD (ABD), MBA, MS is a nationally recognized advocate, executive, and storyteller whose work has redefined how we understand and reform mental health and substance use systems. Known for her fierce leadership, creativity, and humanity, Keris brings both lived and learned expertise to every space challenging the status quo and building new paths rooted in dignity and rights.

She serves as Senior Vice President of Partnerships and Innovation at Inseparable, where she helps shape mental health policy and practice. Keris also hosts the acclaimed podcast Unapologetically Black Unicorns, co-edits the Lived Experience Inclusion and Leadership column in Psychiatric Services, and serves on the boards of Disability Rights California and the Center for Health Care Strategies. She is an inaugural member of the Global Leadership Exchange (GLE) Lived Experience Council and lives in Los Angeles with her dog, Obi.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa.
Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

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Life with bipolar disorder often feels like a constant battle, so being told to find hope can seem like a cruel joke. But what if hope isn’t naïve — it’s necessary? In this episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington dive deep into the real, practical power of hope and how to find it even when it feels impossible.

From planning something to look forward to, to saying “yes” to new experiences, they explore small, science-backed ways to keep hope alive. Gabe shares personal stories about concerts, silly dance videos, and even late-night wrestling shows that reignited his optimism, while Dr. Nicole breaks down why hope isn’t just wishful thinking — it’s a key part of recovery.

Listener takeaways:

This is the episode you didn’t know you needed when things feel impossible. Listen now!

“Being intentional about remembering what it felt like to be happy and starting to formulate a plan to get back to it breeds a lot of hope. Because it's always easier to do something that you've already done.” ~Gabe Howard, Host

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldn’t be any of those things today if he hadn’t been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.
Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX.
Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health America’s Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero.”

Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa.
Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

Please recommend this podcast to all your friends! Sharing the show is how we grow. Thank you! :)

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In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar disorder) and psychiatrist Dr. Nicole Washington unpack what the research actually shows, why supplement quality is inconsistent (and sometimes downright sketchy), and how side effects — even with “natural” products — are very real. In short, they dig into the science, hype, and hope surrounding omega-3 supplements.

Listener takeaways:

Plenty of people in the bipolar community are desperate for alternatives to pharmaceuticals, and fish oil often gets framed as a safer, side-effect-free solution. If you’ve ever wondered whether popping a fish oil capsule could replace your meds — or just help you manage life with bipolar disorder more smoothly — this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

“If it's powerful enough to fight bipolar disorder, it is powerful enough to potentially have interactions. One of the things that I'm always fascinated about in the bipolar community is when we say things like, hey, this thing is so powerful, it will treat bipolar disorder, which we know to be dangerous and damaging, but it also is so safe that it won't cause any side effects or interfere with any other medications or any other organs or anything. It's like it can't be both.” ~Gabe Howard, Host

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldn’t be any of those things today if he hadn’t been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.
Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX.
Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health America’s Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero.”

Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa.
Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

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What happens when binge eating disorder and bipolar disorder collide? Research shows they co-occur in as many as one in four cases — and yet, many people living with both conditions feel completely alone. In this episode, host Gabe Howard shares his personal journey of living with bipolar disorder and binge eating disorder, including how food was his form of self-medication.
Board certified psychiatrist Dr. Nicole Washington breaks down the clinical side: what binge eating disorder actually is, how it’s diagnosed, and why treating it alongside bipolar disorder can get “tricky.”

Listeners will learn:

Gabe and Dr. Nicole rip the lid off the shame, secrecy, and stigma surrounding binge eating disorder, especially when it coincides with bipolar disorder. With honesty and compassion, they share practical treatment insights, real hope, and a powerful reminder: You are not alone. Whether you’re having trouble or supporting someone you love, this episode delivers validation, guidance, and the encouragement you need to take the next step toward healing and living your best life.

"I weighed over 550 pounds and I knew that I was unhealthy. But I didn't really see binge eating disorder as a mental health problem because bipolar disorder sucked all the oxygen out of the room. And I was lucky, I did go from over 550 pounds down to the 200 that I weigh now, because I had the right interventions. I treated both bipolar disorder and binge eating disorder. But I imagine that many listeners, they don't realize the connection between these two." ~Gabe Howard, Host

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldn’t be any of those things today if he hadn’t been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.
Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX.
Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health America’s Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero.”

Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa.
Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

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What happens when bipolar disorder collides with hypochondria? Is it even possible for someone to have both conditions? In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar) and Dr. Nicole Washington (a psychiatrist) tackle the complex overlap between bipolar disorder and what’s often called hypochondria but is now known as illness anxiety disorder.
Together, they explore the confusion that comes when symptoms of panic, mania, or depression mimic physical health conditions — and why people with bipolar disorder often have trouble being taken seriously in medical settings. From emergency room misdiagnoses to the fear of “crying wolf” during a health scare, our hosts unpack the stigma and frustration many face when advocating for their physical health.
Key takeaways

You’ll also hear practical advice on how to tell the difference between anxiety and a medical emergency, the importance of knowing your symptom patterns, and why having a consistent primary care doctor is crucial. Listen now!

"It matters whether you have hypochondria or whether mania is driving it, because of your next steps. If you truly have hypochondria, if you really are a hypochondriac, you are worried about being sick regardless of your mood state. So whether you're happy, sad, manic, whatever, this hypochondria persists. If you're only ultra focused on illness in a manic state or a grandiosity state, or with some specific symptom of bipolar disorder. Then it's just the bipolar disorder manifesting itself." ~Gabe Howard, Host

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldn’t be any of those things today if he hadn’t been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.
Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX.
Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health America’s Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero.”

Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa.
Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

Please share the show with everyone you know!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices