Anxiety is something we can all relate to. But how do we distinguish between normal worry and pathological anxiety? What’s the difference between a panic attack and panic disorder?

What is post traumatic stress disorder? Do childhood traumas make some of us more susceptible to it than others? How can we tell the difference between emotional trauma and PTSD? 

In this episode of PSYCHEDUP, we explore bipolar disorder, a condition defined by two extreme mood poles. Our guest Pauline pulls back the curtain on what living with bipolar disorder is really like, revealing the challenges she faces, the ultimate highs, the depressive lows and how it impacts her relationships. 

ADHD is often associated with creativity, quick thinking, and boundless energy, traits that many admire and even consider superpowers. But for people with untreated ADHD, the reality can look very different. Untreated symptoms can lead to challenges that impact daily life and wellbeing. Yet, ADHD is one of the most treatable neurodevelopmental conditions. So, let’s dig into ADHD with psychiatrist Dr. Diane McIntosh. She answers those lingering questions like: Is ADHD overdiagnosed? Are the medications safe and truly necessary? 

What is it really like to live with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? How do you recognize the signs, and what does effective treatment look like?

SPECIAL FEATURE. This week, PSYCHEDUP is excited to present an illuminating discussion about mental health vs mental illness. It's from the first season of Look Again, the BC Schizophrenia Society's podcast which highlights the humanity of people living with mental illness and shares insights from medical experts, family members, and individuals with lived experience.

Silken Laumann 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.

Mental illnesses are tough, frightening, isolating, and sometimes even life-threatening. Whether you’ve experienced one yourself or supported someone who has, mental illnesses touch us all.

Dr. Matt Chow is Chief Mental Health Officer for TELUS Health. He is a child and youth psychiatrist and past President of Doctors of BC, the association that supports the 16,000+ physicians, residents, and medical students in British Columbia.  

The pandemic still casts its long shadow over mental health and mental healthcare. In this brave conversation with Dr. Diane, they talk about the pandemic’s impact on children and youth, the urgent need to tackle burnout in healthcare, and the importance of vision and leadership. 

This conversation is about hope and the kind of leadership we need to inspire meaningful change in mental healthcare.

Learn more about TELUS Health: Website

Contact Dr. Diane McIntosh: Website

More Episodes: Website

Please make sure you subscribe, share, and comment. If you have a topic or guest suggestion for Dr. Diane, please reach out to [email protected].

Scott Elliott is the Executive Director of the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation,  an internationally renowned Centre whose mission is to provide care and support for individuals with HIV/AIDS. 

The center’s holistic approach, which prioritizes the individual, autonomy, respect, and empowerment, is a powerful model, with a lot that we can take to inspire innovative thinking to improve mental healthcare.

Learn more about The Dr. Peter Centre: Website

Contact Dr. Diane McIntosh: Website

More Episodes: Website

Please make sure you subscribe, share, and comment. If you have a topic or guest suggestion for Dr. Diane, please reach out to [email protected].