In this second episode of our World Schizophrenia Day series, we revisit a controversial debate.

Anti-psychotics like Abilify, Risperdal, and Clozapine are often used to help manage a person's symptoms of schizophrenia, including paranoia, delusions and hallucinations. However, there’s a movement that wants to shift mainstream thinking away from using medication to manage the symptoms of a serious mental illness. It encourages people to accept and live with the symptoms of severe mental illness, such as delusions and hallucinations.

To help us navigate this hot-button dilemma, we talk to a Look Again recurring guest, Dr. Diane McIntosh, Psychiatrist and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia.

Follow Look Again to listen to insightful conversations like this one that examine the treatment of severe mental illness. Until then, share your thoughts with us here. Leave a review so others can find our show.


Resources:
Dr. Diane McIntosh - Bio
Blindsided - Dr. Diane McIntosh's podcast
Antipsychotic Selection Is Important for Reduced Nonadherence in Schizophrenia
Look Again Season 1, Episode 5: The Truth Behind Psychiatric Medication
Anti-Psychotic Medication - CAMH

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Today is World Schizophrenia Day. Look Again is revisiting four of our most popular episodes. The first one in this revisited series is a conversation with former NHL goalie Corey Hirsch.

At 21, Corey Hirsch was living the dream: goalie for the silver-medal-winning Team Canada at the Olympics and Stanley Cup-winning New York Rangers. So, why was he contemplating suicide?

In this unfiltered conversation, Corey talks about his silent battle with mental illness, which included experiencing intrusive thoughts and severe depression. His story is a must-listen for understanding that mental illness struggles often go unseen, even for those in the spotlight. And that it is possible to emerge out of the dark corners of despair.

Follow Look Again to hear stories like this one that sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles of those living with mental illnesses. Until then, share your thoughts with us here. Leave a review so others can find our show.


Resources:
Suicide Crisis Hotline
CoreyHirsch.com

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Navigating post-secondary education is challenging, but for students living with psychosis, it can be an uphill battle. In this episode of Look Again: Mental Illness Re-examined, host Faydra Aldridge speaks with Anne Liao, who was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder during their university years. Anne shares their journey of resilience which started roughly 10-years ago at UBC, the barriers they faced, and the changes they hope to see in campus mental health resources. The episode also briefly features Dr. Kirby Humenik, Director of Counseling Services at UBC, who highlights the current supports and services available to students with serious mental illnesses.

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SPECIAL FEATURE. This week, Look Again is excited to present this candid conversation from PSYCHEDUP, a new show that focuses on one mental illness each episode. In the premiere episode, host Dr. Diane McIntosh sits down with Olympic legend Silken Laumann, who captured the hearts of Canadians with her incredible resilience, rowing to a bronze medal in single sculls despite a devastating injury. But after the cheers faded, she realized she was facing a new challenge: depression.

Hear about Silken's journey through the symptoms, causes, and path to understanding her mental illness. Dr. McIntosh is later joined by her colleague and friend, Dr. Randy Mackoff, for an honest and insightful conversation about effective treatments for depression.

It doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, whether or not you're an Olympic superstar, depression can affect anyone. Listen to this episode of PSYCHEDUP to get educated and inspired.

Resources
PSYCHEDUP Podcast
Silken Laumann's Podcast: Inflection Time

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In this deeply personal episode of Look Again: Mental Illness Re-examined, author of Mad Sisters, Susan Grundy, shares the powerful story of her sister's battle with schizophrenia. As Susan recounts her experience growing up alongside her sister, she reflects on the complex dynamics of caregiving, sibling relationships, and the profound impact of mental illness on families. With raw honesty, Susan explores the challenges of navigating her sister's diagnosis, the misunderstandings that arise, and the delicate balance of love, fear, and hope. Through this moving conversation, Susan offers a rare and important perspective on schizophrenia and the often-overlooked struggles of family members.

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This is a re-release of the season four premiere of Look Again, “Beyond the Selfies: Social media's influence on mental illness stigma.” Kody Green is a motivational speaker, content creator, and author who was diagnosed with Undifferentiated Schizophrenia at 28 years old.

In this episode, Kody talks with Faydra about becoming a 'Mental Illness Social Media Influencer.’ The conversation touches on coping mechanisms, medications, and the power of humour. Revisit this insightful discussion about the link between digital platforms and mental illness.

Kody Green’s book Mind Over Meetings can be ordered through his website. You can also follow him @SchizophrenicHippie on Instagram and TikTok.

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In this episode of Look Again: Mental Illness Re-Examined, host Faydra Aldridge dives into the fascinating connection between gut health and serious mental illness. Joined by Dr. Amedeo Minichino, a clinical academic psychiatrist at the University of Oxford, they explore how the trillions of bacteria in our gut, known as the microbiome, could influence brain function and play a key role in conditions like schizophrenia. Dr. Minichino discusses emerging research on how gut health might inform personalized treatments, the potential for early intervention in psychosis, and how diet could be a powerful factor in mental health care. 

In addition to our primary funder BC Partners, this episode is brought to you by Castanet, the Okanagan’s trusted source for news, events, and community updates. Thank you to Castanet for supporting our show and helping us share these stories with you.

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In this episode of Look Again: Mental Illness Re-Examined, host Faydra Aldridge speaks with Dr. André McDonald, an epidemiologist and lead author of a groundbreaking study on cannabis use and psychotic disorders. They explore the alarming connection between cannabis use in teens and the risk of developing psychosis, particularly as THC potency has dramatically increased. Dr. McDonald breaks down key findings, including the heightened risk for teens, why early cannabis use is especially dangerous, and how public health messaging needs to evolve in the era of legalization.“Be sure to listen to this important discussion on cannabis and strong links to mental illness, especially with teenagers. 

In addition to our primary funder BC Partners, this episode is brought to you by Castanet, the Okanagan’s trusted source for news, events, and community updates. Thank you to Castanet for supporting our show and helping us share these stories with you.

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In this emotional episode, host Faydra Aldridge speaks with Stephen and his parents about Stephen’s experience with childhood-onset schizophrenia. Diagnosed at age 12, Stephen recounts the onset of symptoms, from debilitating headaches to delusions and memory lapses, and his eventual hospitalization. His parents share their perspectives on watching their son fall into psychosis, the difficulties in finding a diagnosis, and the emotional toll on their family. The episode explores the challenges of navigating a severe mental illness at a young age, the impact on family dynamics, and the importance of early intervention and support in mental health care.

Resources:
Stephen's YouTube Channel: Surviving Schizophrenia

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Misdiagnosing epilepsy as schizophrenia can lead to devastating consequences, with patients receiving ineffective treatments for years. In this episode, Dr. Gibson Anugwom, resident psychiatrist from the Baylor College of Medicine, discusses the dangers of over-reliance on symptom-based diagnoses without thorough evaluations. We explore the need for better diagnostic tools, awareness in medical education, and collaboration between neurologists and psychiatrists. By understanding how epilepsy can present as psychosis, healthcare professionals can prevent misdiagnoses and provide more effective care. Listen in to learn how curiousity and a deeper understanding of symptoms can help avoid the life-altering consequences of a wrong diagnosis.

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