PSYCHEDUP

The only thing worse than an awful night’s sleep, is two awful night’s sleep. And if they keep adding up, it becomes almost impossible to feel like yourself.

So, in this episode, Dr. Diane McIntosh is talking about chronic insomnia through the eyes of Allison, a 52-year-old woman who battled sleepless nights for most of her adult life. From waking up exhausted with "baseballs for eyes", to shying away from socializing because she was so tired, Allison explains what it’s like to live with a disorder that affects 10% of the population.  

Dr. McIntosh breaks down the science behind chronic insomnia while exploring the vicious cycle of poor sleep and declining mental health. As always, she’s joined by psychologist Dr. Randy Mackoff to talk about treatment. From the dangers of self-medicating to the promising new class of medications, this episode provides both hope and practical solutions for anyone trapped in the exhausting world of sleepless nights.

For more resources, go here. 

When Stephanie's mother was diagnosed with dementia following a stroke, everything changed. In this episode, Dr. Diane McIntosh explores the realities of dementia caregiving through Stephanie's powerful story, from managing impossible schedules to making heartbreaking decisions about care facilities.

Whether you're caring for someone with dementia, supporting a caregiver, or preparing for what may lie ahead, this episode offers compassionate guidance and hope. 

Plus expert insights from psychologist Dr. Randy Mackoff on effective treatment approaches.

In this episode, you'll discover:

Additional information and support resources are available here.  

The Alzheimer Society of Canada is here. 

At just 10 years old, Cedar walked into her doctor's office asking for weight loss recommendations, despite being dangerously underweight. Her perception of herself, together with her desperate need for control, marked the beginning of a decade-long battle with anorexia nervosa.

In this episode of PSYCHEDUP, Dr. Diane McIntosh pulls back the curtain on eating disorders, exposing how these devastating illnesses have little to do with food and everything to do with control and trauma. 

Dr. McIntosh teams up with psychologist Dr. Randy Mackoff to explore the complex treatment landscape for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. They debunk myths around eating disorders, examine social media's role in exacerbating body image issues, and explain why psychological inflexibility and rigid thoughts about self-worth create dangerous patterns. This episode offers hope for those trapped in any cycle involving food restriction, over exercising, and binging and purging, while providing essential guidance for the families desperately trying to support them.

You'll Discover:

Resources:

Additional information and support resources are available here.

Join Dr. Diane McIntosh as she explores social anxiety disorder, a condition that goes far beyond normal shyness and can rob people of life's most important moments. This episode features Hannah's powerful story of missing her graduation and struggling through high school, plus expert insights from Dr. McIntosh and psychologist Dr. Randy Mackoff on effective treatment approaches.

Additional information and support resources are available here.

Imagine trying to go about your day with angry voices saying awful things at you. Or trying to concentrate in a meeting while you’re convinced the smell of rotting meat was coming from you. 

Welcome to John’s world. In this episode of PSYCHEDUP, Dr. Diane McIntosh explores the complex and distressing symptoms of psychosis through his personal story.

Dr. McIntosh is joined by Dr. Randy Mackoff to discuss the roles of medication and talk therapy in managing psychosis. 

You’ll Discover:

Adversity is inevitable, how we respond to it can change everything. 

Between economic uncertainty, political instability, and personal challenges with health, finances, or relationships, life can be overwhelming. Yet there’s still so much good worth celebrating. How do we balance it all and hold on to hope and happiness? The answer is resilience.

Broadcaster and author Gill Deacon joins Diane to share her journey through serious health challenges, showing how perspective, gratitude, and acceptance can create space for healing and hope. Later, psychologist Dr. Randy Mackoff returns to share practical tools for building resilience, from mindset shifts to self-talk strategies. In this episode of PSYCHEDUP, Dr. Diane McIntosh explores resilience—the science and practice of not just surviving hardship, but emerging stronger.

What You’ll Discover:

Resources:

PSYCHEDUP is back with more episodes on Oct. 10, 2025. Mental illness touches us all, whether you've experienced it yourself or supported someone who has. Let’s get educated, because there is help.

More episodes coming soon!

In the meantime, enjoy this episode of A Love Affair with the Unknown. Host Gill Deacon is a friend of the show and a guest of an upcoming PSYCHEDUP episode. In this episode, she talks to former federal cabinet minister Lisa Raitt about strength and power in the face of caring for a loved one with a debilitating disease.  

We can’t wait for you to hear it. 

You can also catch up on past episodes or share them with someone you know. 

Resources: 

Dr. Diane McIntosh

 A Love Affair with the Unknown 

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?