In this episode of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, I address two intense and relatable listener questions.

The first question comes from a listener who feels abandoned by their spouse after a traumatic car accident left them with PTSD and potential brain injury. I provide insights on the possible brain injuries they might have sustained, while also discussing the complexities of their strained relationship and offering practical advice for moving forward.

In the second question, a listener struggles with constant phone checking and tech addiction. I offer actionable tips for managing phone usage, including identifying and challenging assumptions, creating a conscious phone use plan, and finding accountability.

This episode aims to provide support, clarity, and practical guidance for listeners dealing with trauma, relationship challenges, and tech overdependence.

This episode is brought to you by NoCD. Overthinking can be more than just a habit—it might be a symptom of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). NoCD provides virtual therapy sessions with licensed therapists specialized in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, the gold standard treatment for OCD. To learn more, visit http://nocd.com and schedule a free 15-minute call.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:16 Listener's Question: Dealing with Trauma and Relationship Issues 02:33 Understanding Brain Injuries from Car Accidents 08:05 Addressing Relationship Concerns and Seeking Separation 08:11 Sponsor Break: NoCD 15:14 Listener's Question: Overcoming Phone Addiction 17:07 Tips for Reducing Phone Usage 25:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Please send questions to [email protected]

Breaking Cycles: How Attachment Shapes Our Lives with Dr. Judy Ho

In this episode of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, host Dr. Duff interviews neuropsychologist Dr. Judy Ho, a tenured professor at Pepperdine University and author of 'The New Rules of Attachment.' They discuss why people often find themselves stuck in repetitive cycles despite different strategies and self-care routines. Dr. Ho explains the significance of revisiting one's past to break patterns, diving deep into attachment theory. They explore how early attachments form who we are, why it's essential to recognize childhood traumas, and the role of self-talk in attachment styles. Dr. Ho also shares her personal parenting insights and the importance of forming a secure attachment with oneself. Additionally, they delve into actionable exercises from Dr. Ho's book that help uncover unmet needs of our inner child and promote lasting change. Tune in for an in-depth conversation about the transformative power of understanding and healing our attachments.

This episode is brought to you by NOCD, a powerful new network of providers specializing in exposure and response prevention. Get treatment for OCD that actually works at http://nocd.com

This episode is also sponsored by BetterHelp – get 10% off your first month of online therapy at http://betterhelp.com/duff

Links!

https://www.amazon.com/New-Rules-Attachment-Relationships-Reparent/dp/1538741423

https://www.instagram.com/drjudyho

https://drjudyho.com/

00:00 Introduction: Breaking the Cycle

00:40 Meet Dr. Judy Ho

01:14 The Importance of Early Attachments

02:46 Personal Stories and Apologies

05:47 Journey into Psychology

18:10 Understanding Attachment Styles

30:11 Understanding Attachment Styles and Self-Talk

31:27 The Challenge of Changing Self-Talk

32:26 The Importance of Patience in Forming New Habits

33:14 Recognizing Overthinking and OCD

35:07 The Mind-Body Connection in Attachment

37:25 Inner Child Work and Self-Attachment

40:22 Practical Steps for Inner Child Healing

44:45 A Real-Life Transformation Story

53:22 Balancing Career and Personal Life

57:04 Parenting and Attachment

01:00:08 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Reflections

In this episode of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, Dr. Robert Duff chats with Tony Weaver Jr., an award-winning author and educator dedicated to mental health advocacy and better representation in media. Tony shares his personal journey from feeling like an outcast in his teenage years, including a suicide attempt, to becoming a force for positivity and change. He discusses how his upbringing in Atlanta and breakthroughs like hearing Fall Out Boy's music shaped his path to self-acceptance and creative expression. Tony also delves into the importance of representation in media, recounting his experiences creating the webcomic 'The Uncommons' and his upcoming autobiographical graphic novel 'Weirdo.' Furthermore, he offers practical advice for children and parents navigating the challenges of embracing individuality in a conformist world. Tune in to hear his inspiring story, candid reflections on the role of conflict in growth, and his passionate stand on bettering cultural narratives through inclusive storytelling. Links!

Weirdo: https://rep.club/products/weirdo

The Uncommons: https://www.webtoons.com/en/action/the-uncommons/list?title_no=4520

Tony on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyweaverjr/

Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Feeling Like the Odd One Out 00:24 Meet Tony Weaver Jr.: From Darkness to Advocacy 01:13 Tony's Creative Journey and Representation 01:38 Interview with Tony Weaver Jr. 02:52 Tony's Upbringing and Early Influences 04:45 The Struggles of Embracing Otherness 09:05 The Creation of 'Weirdo' 13:05 Mental Health and Personal Growth 26:36 Inner Child Work and Reparenting 27:13 Parents' Reactions to the Book 27:33 A Life-Changing Car Accident 28:40 Reflecting on Childhood and Authority 30:17 The Importance of Conflict and Support 35:21 Representation in Media 37:01 The Impact of Representation on Society 43:40 Challenges in Hollywood and Progress 49:40 Promoting the Book 'Weirdo' 52:35 Final Thoughts and Where to Follow

In this episode, Dr. Duff shares personal experiences and discusses the concept of being afraid of breathing. He highlights how anxiety and overthinking can lead to the sensation of not breathing properly. Dr. Duff explains how exposure therapy can be applied using breathing exercises to help alleviate these fears. He provides detailed instructions on different challenging breathing exercises like alternate nostril breathing, resonance breathing, and techniques inspired by the Wim Hof method and the Cradle series. The episode aims to help listeners gain comfort with discomfort and regain confidence in their breathing.

00:00 Introduction: Are You Afraid of Breathing? 00:02 A Personal Story of Breathing Anxiety 00:57 The Cycle of Anxiety and Breathing 01:50 Common Experiences and Avoidance 03:37 Using Breathing Exercises for Exposure 04:12 Understanding Exposure Therapy 07:38 Challenging Breathing Exercises 07:59 Alternate Nostril Breathing 10:40 Resonance Breathing 13:38 The Heaven and Earth Purification Wheel 15:16 Practicing in a Safe Space 16:22 Conclusion and Call to Action

http://betterhelp.com/duff

http://duffthepsych.com/contact

In episode 408 of the Hardcore Self Help Podcast, I'm joined by grief educator and author Christina Rasmussen.

We delve deep into the concept of invisible loss, a unique form of grief that stems from unacknowledged experiences. Christina opens up about her personal grief journey, introduces the Life Reentry Process, and shares insights from her book, 'Invisible Loss.' We also explore how early childhood experiences shape adult decision-making, the transformative power of authenticity, and Christina's venture into using art for healing. Christina discusses her creation of a digital library of invisible losses and reflects on the significance of Andrew Wyeth's painting 'Christina's World.' Join us for actionable tips and profound reflections on navigating and reclaiming life after hidden struggles.

Links:

Books - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Christina-Rasmussen/author/B0057K44UU

https://lifereentry.com/

https://www.invisiblelosses.com/

https://springshow.academyart.edu/schools/fine-art/students/christina-rasmussen/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Invisible Loss 00:45 Meet Christina Rasmussen 01:17 Christina's Personal Journey with Grief 03:30 Early Life and Education 08:13 Navigating Life After Loss 11:08 The Birth of Life Reentry Process 32:12 Invisible Loss Defined 43:39 Starting the Program and Writing Invisible Loss 44:01 Challenges of Writing About Invisible Loss 44:24 The Concept of Invisible Loss 46:48 Men and Invisible Loss 47:59 The Importance of Self-Expression 49:01 The Role of Therapy and Support Groups 52:38 Time Dilation and Seeking Help 53:32 Ambitious Work and Personal Transformation 56:33 Balancing Art and Professional Life 01:03:00 The Journey of Writing and Sharing Vulnerable Moments 01:13:34 The Impact of Panic Attacks and Authenticity 01:19:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Navigating Intense Anxiety and Career Changes

Hello, friends! In today's episode, we tackle two profound listener questions that may resonate with many of you:

Managing Severe Anxiety: A listener is struggling with intense daily anxiety and dissociation, impacting their ability to function in daily tasks like going to work or shopping. We discuss immediate tips, potential medical checks, and therapy approaches to manage anxiety effectively.

Considering a Career Shift: Another listener is contemplating a career change from music education to educational psychology. They seek advice on the feasibility, job prospects, and resources to pursue this new career path.

As always, you can send me questions to [email protected] and find the full show notes for this episode at http://duffthepsych.com/episode407

00:00 Introduction to Anxiety 00:17 Episode Overview and Listener Questions 00:56 Engaging with the Community 01:45 Addressing Severe Anxiety 05:15 Exploring Medical and Therapeutic Options 11:24 Understanding Anxiety and Fear 20:43 Career Change Considerations 28:10 Conclusion and Farewell

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Head over to http://betterhelp.com/duff for 10% off your first month.

Links mentioned:

• http://duffthepsych.com/episode195
• http://duffthepsych.com/episode395
• http://duffthepsych.com/findatherapist
• http://kickanxietycourse.com
• http://facebook.com/groups/hardcoreselfhelp
• https://www.amazon.com/Hardcore-Self-Help-Robert-Ph-D/dp/1514866005

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Patrick McGrath, Chief Clinical Officer at NOCD and a leading expert in OCD treatment. We dive deep into understanding OCD, debunking common misconceptions, and exploring the most effective treatment approaches. Dr. McGrath shares practical advice for managing OCD and introduces an amazing new tool that's helping people across the country manage OCD from the comfort of their own homes. Whether you're personally affected by OCD, know someone who is, or just want to learn more about mental health, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable tips.

Key Takeaways:

• Misconceptions About OCD:

  • Discover what OCD really is and debunk common myths.
  • Understand the difference between media portrayals and reality.

• Effective Treatment Approaches:

  • Learn about Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy.
  • Find out what works and what doesn't in OCD treatment.
  • Explore Dr. McGrath's innovative approach to virtual ERP therapy.

• Practical Advice for Managing OCD:

  • Get strategies for handling intrusive thoughts and compulsions.
  • Tips for avoiding reassurance-seeking, distraction, and substance use.

• Introducing NOCD:

  • Learn about NOCD, an online platform offering accessible OCD therapy.
  • Understand how NOCD works and its benefits for people across the country.
  • Find out how NOCD is making treatment more affordable and effective.

Personal Insights:

• Hear Dr. McGrath's personal journey with anxiety and how it shaped his career.
• Gain inspiration from his transformation from a bullied child to a leading mental health expert.

Be sure to check out NOCD at http://treatmyocd.com and send me a question or topic for a future episode of the show at http://duffthepsych.com/contact

Does Joe Biden Have Dementia? A Neuropsychologist's Perspective In this episode, I discuss the current political climate in the United States and my concerns as a neuropsychologist regarding the cognitive abilities of President Joe Biden. I explain the difference between normal aging, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia, and provide analysis of Biden's speech abilities from various clips over the years. While I emphasize that it's challenging to diagnose cognitive decline without comprehensive testing, I provide insights into what a professional evaluation would entail and discuss why it's critical to consider cognitive health for a role as demanding as the presidency. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit http://betterhelp.com/duff for 10% off your first month of online therapy. As always, you can send me questions or topic suggestions to [email protected] and find the full show notes at http://duffthepsych.com

Evaluating Joe Biden's Cognitive Health: A Neuropsychologist's Perspective   In this episode, I discuss the current political climate in the United States and my concerns as a neuropsychologist regarding the cognitive abilities of President Joe Biden. I explain the difference between normal aging, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia, and provide analysis of Biden's speech abilities from various clips over the years. While I emphasize that it's challenging to diagnose cognitive decline without comprehensive testing, I provide insights into what a professional evaluation would entail and discuss why it's critical to consider cognitive health for a role as demanding as the presidency.   This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit http://betterhelp.com/duff for 10% off your first month of online therapy.

Hello, friends!

In today's episode, we delve into the transformative potential of ketamine therapy for mental health with Dr. Chantalle Thomas, a leading expert in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.

Dr. Thomas is a trainer in Fluence's Advanced Certificate in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy as well as Executive Clinical Director at Windrose Recovery.

Dr. Thomas discusses the complexities of ketamine as a treatment, its various administration routes, and the profound changes it can facilitate when integrated with therapy. We also explore the importance of therapeutic integration in maximizing the benefits of ketamine, the ethical considerations in psychedelic medicine, and navigating the current regulatory landscape.

Additionally, Dr. Thomas shares her personal journey into mental health and psychedelics, and the importance of authenticity and attachment theory in therapy.

As always, you can send me questions to [email protected] and find the full show notes for this episode at http://duffthepsych.com/episode404

Links:

https://windroserecovery.com/podcast/therapy-unblinded-inside-mdma-research/

https://www.fluencetraining.com/

https://maps.org/