Renegade Ape - Psychology, Philosophy, and the Overton Wasteland

World renowned sex therapist Wendy Maltz joins us to discuss the social and psychological consequences for young men who grow up with fast and easy access to increasingly extreme pornography.

For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast

Email: [email protected]

Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

Podcast Image: Heather Hopkins https://flic.kr/p/4nGnjd

I’m a skeptic when it comes to energy psychology, and much of what alternative medicine claims to offer, particularly when it comes to mental health.

However, rather than dismiss these concepts outright, I think it’s better to give them a fair hearing, and let you guys make up your own minds.

For those of you unfamiliar with EFT, or tapping as it’s commonly known, it’s basically a form of alternative medicine which claims that tapping on certain acupuncture points can help relieve various psychological problems.

In today’s episode, I'm joined by Dawson Church, PhD, founder of EFT Universe, to discuss the origins and theory behind EFT, it’s professed application to the likes of anxiety and PTSD, whether “blocked energy” is at the cause or effect of psychological distress, and whether or not the positive effects of EFT can be explained away by the placebo effect.

For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast

Email: [email protected]

Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

Podcast Image: Tomás Fano https://flic.kr/p/8P2LZ6

What causes maternal OCD? Is it down to hormonal changes, living in risk averse society, or the evolutionary desire to keep our children safe from harm?

In today's episode, Dr. Fiona Challacombe joins us to discuss the nature and content of the obsessions and compulsions in Maternal OCD.

We explore why maternal OCD is given such little attention compared to other mental health issues, , whether or not this condition has long term ramifications for the children of parents with OCD, and most importantly how to seek treatment.

For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast

Email: [email protected]

Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

Episode Image: Julian Fong http://flic.kr/p/8TToae

Valerie Young is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker and world renowned expert on the imposter syndrome.

Valerie first experienced imposter feelings herself during her graduate program at the University of Massachusetts in 1982, and has studied the phenomenon ever since.

After 30 years of insight, in 2011 she published the award winning book "The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It".

To date, she has taught her “How to Feel As Bright and Capable As Everyone Seems to Think You Are” program to over 80,000 people at organizations such as Boeing, Procter & Gamble, IBM, Apple, Chrysler, and Facebook.

In today's episode we discuss the origins of the imposter phenomenon, why people experience it, who is most susceptible, why it can be harmful to our careers and mental health, and most importantly, how to overcome it.

For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast

Email: [email protected]

Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

Mark Williams is the founder of Father’s Reaching Out and co-founder of International Father’s Mental Health Day (19th June).

After experiencing a traumatic labour during the birth of their son Ethan in 2004, both Mark and his wife Michelle struggled with crippling anxiety and post-natal depression.

While Michelle recovered, Mark continued on a downward spiral which eventually culminated in suicidal ideation and a complete nervous breakdown.

After finally seeking help, Mark has since made a full recovery, and now makes it his life’s mission to raise awareness of perinatal mental health issues in fathers.

For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast

Email: [email protected]

Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

Jenni McCartney, Chair of Samaritans and volunteer for over 30 years, shares why it's important to offer the gift of listening to people who are suffering.

In today’s episode we learn about the history and formation of Samaritans, how and why Jenni first became a volunteer and, more importantly, why she decided to stick with it for more than thirty years.

We explore the most common reasons people turn to Samaritans, how it evolved from a suicide prevention line into an emotional support service that anybody could call for any reason, why Samaritans policy is primarily to listen without giving advice, and how this approach can often be more effective in helping callers find the answers they’re looking for.

We also explore what it’s like to be a volunteer answering calls, what’s involved in the training process, what you actually say and do when a call comes in, how you learn to help other people deal with their negative life experiences without letting it affect your own emotional well being, but ultimately, how listening to other people’s problems is, more often than not, a rewarding experience for both parties.

For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast

Email: [email protected]

Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

In today’s episode we discuss the origins of stigma, from the etymology of the word itself to historical depictions of mental asylums. We draw lines of distinction between concepts such as ignorance, prejudice and discrimination and how each of these manifests in the real world.

We explore how the media depicts mental illness, how stigma is actually measured and quantified by researchers, the importance of anti-stigma campaigns such as Time To Change and the ways in which they’ve proved successful.

We touch on the recent trend in anti-stigma campaigns aimed specifically towards men, we ask if discrimination is ever justified, and most importantly Graham gives a few tips on how people with mental health issues can navigate the potential minefield of disclosure.

For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast

Email: [email protected]

Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

So what is bipolar disorder, and how does it differ from plain old depression?

In this episode Prof. Steven Jones helps us to untangle the various manifestations of bipolar including bipolar types 1 and 2, and cyclothymia. We discuss the nature and duration of mood swings and what triggers them, and we examine the concept of mania and manic episodes and how these affect people's thoughts and behaviours.

We also explore mixed affective states, where the person experiences depression and mania simultaneously, and why this can increase the risk of suicide in people with bipolar.

We discover why both adolescence and middle age are times when people are particularly susceptible to the onset of bipolar, the causal link between sleep deprivation and mania, the controversial topic of bipolar in children and whether or not it actually exists, treatment options, personality variables, issues of cultural context, and loads more in between.

For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast

Email: [email protected]

Follow Danny on Twitter: twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

Prof. Matt Field is here to discuss the topic of alcohol abuse and addiction, and it's relationship to mental health.

So, what exactly is the difference between alcohol abuse and addiction? Does alcohol addiction run in families, and who is most susceptible? We discuss the alcohol paradox; that is, why people in deprived communities have higher levels of alcohol-related ill health than people in non-deprived communities, despite drinking the same amounts of alcohol.

We discover why stopping drinking is only half the battle in overcoming alcohol addiction. What you can do, as a friend or relative, to help somebody with a drinking problem. What the government could - but seemingly won't - do to help reduce the amount of alcohol related harm. We also tackle the most controversial question of all: whether or not is alcohol addiction a brain disease or a disorder of choice?

For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast

Email: [email protected]

Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker

Prof. Greg Eghigian helps us trace the history of mental illness from ancient Palestine, and the Greek physician Hippocrates, right the way up to Prozac and self-help gurus.

On the way we encounter exorcisms, bloodletting, witch doctors, magic spells, Islamic hospitals, mental asylums, country house retreats, Sigmund Freud, the advent of pharmacology, deinstitutionalization and the rise of psychotherapy.

For show notes and to join the conversation visit: http://myownworstenemy.org/podcast

Email: [email protected]

Follow Danny on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dannydwhittaker