The Positive Mind

As society begins to re-open is phases, hosts discuss "emerging" in the context of quarantine and on a developmental level. The fundamental changes that occur for all of us at 18-29 years of age can be of value during this emergence. Those and a few more related concepts are explored in this show that offers important personal insights.

Dysthymia is more than "the blues". It is also known as "persistent depressive disorder". At some point every day becomes a gray blank slate. And that seems normal. Sufferers can experience symptoms for many years before it is diagnosed, if at all. As a result, people believe that depression is a part of their character, so they may not even discuss their symptoms with anyone. "I'll always be a Debbie Downer" or like Eeyore, always looking for something positive but already sure it won't be found.

Living with Dysthymia, or with a dysthymic partner or relative, can be overwhelming. But there is hope: talk therapy, self care and early diagnosis can go a long way to offsetting the symptoms and avoid major depression episodes.

Join Kevin O'Donoghue and Niseema Dyan Diemer as they explore Dysthymia, and provide tools to work through the gray and into the light.

Getting Through the Day: Strategies For Adults Hurt As Children.

Hosts Kevin O'donoghue and Niseema Dyan Diemer discuss the ways to recognize and treat the effects of childhood trauma and abuse that show up in adulthood with family therapist and author Nancy J. Napier. Her book Getting Through the Day: Strategies For Adults Hurt As Children focuses on solutions for adults to learn new strategies to meet the demands of daily living and those who find unresolved childhood feelings are blocking life's path.

Guest - Nancy J. Napier is former president of the New York Society for the Study of Multiple Personality and Dissociative Disorders, a board member of the New York Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and a past board member of the New York Milton H. Erickson Society for Psychotherapy and Hypnosis. She is the author of several books, including Sacred Practices for Conscious Living.

These have been very serious and challenging months. Many of the things we loved to do are closed and inaccessible. Things that used to energize us are out of reach, even thinking about them seems to use too much energy. When the objects/subjects of our pleasure are gone we can lose a sense of there being any enjoyment in life at all, which is a mental health condition called Anhedionia. We are

experiencing many of the symptoms on some level collectively through the pandemic.

Kevin and Niseema discuss the loss, and reclaiming, of pleasure for your mental and physical health. Tools and insights to bring you from "meh" to moving towards feeling good again

“What are you REALLY feeling?” Emotions seem to be jumbled due to isolation, lack of social interaction and suddenly we can't find words to express HOW we feel, if we feel at all. There is a word for that: Alexithymia.

And when we are literally out of touch with others, we are out of touch with ourselves. We are, as a whole, suffering from "skin hunger" . Touch is essential to our wellbeing in every way. But all we hear is DON'T TOUCH: no wonder we are so confused.

Kevin O'Donoghue, LMHC and Niseema Dyan Diemer, LMT teach us about the relationship between being at a loss for words and physical touch. They also share exercise tools to help us define our feelings and become centered in our bodies. Plus learn how to pronounce Alexithymia.

Dreaming of familiar places with masked faces? COVID dreams are real reflecting our vulnerability in a time of uncertainty and anxiety. Kevin O'Donoghue LMHC and Niseema Dyan Diemer LMT, SEP discuss the sleep, dreams and vulnerabilities we have been experiencing during these months of living under a pandemic. Our environments have changed and so have our sleep patterns and dream content. Kevin and Niseema focus on the wisdom of vulnerability as an antidote to disconnection.

Rhythms dominate our lives from breathing to moon cycles. Subtle patterns unconsciously guide us as we navigate through the day. The pandemic has rearranged our daily schedules, blended days and weeks together, blurred work/personal/family time. When rhythms change abruptly it can be difficult, even traumatic, to our lives and minds registering in our nervous systems.

How has your rhythm changed? Have you slowed down or do you miss the go-go-go? Have you checked in with yourself and found a new rhythm calling you?

Kevin O'Donoghue and Niseema Dyan Diemer use music, movement and memory tools to help us embrace the flow of who we are now and march to our own drumbeat on this episode of The Positive Mind Radio Show

Self-quarantine feeling like solitary confinement? Social distancing keeping you from yourself? You are not alone!

Kevin O'Donoghue and Niseema Dyan Diemer bring you the why's and how's of turning this insightful time into an opportunity to expand your world through exploring your personal space.

Dr. Sarah Chipps is the founder and Director of Well Williamsburg and noted speaker on Intuitive Eating, who will discuss how you can eat for yourself and lose your anxiety over food. Whether vegan, keto, allergic or omnivore your body is the best barometer you have to becoming happy, healthy and satisfied.

During this time, people are aware of and concerned about their mental health and also the health of their closest relationships. We examine ways and techniques to converse when relationships are under tremendous strain and to handle those minor irritations that could become inflamed while in quarantine. These irritants are often doorways into a more meaningful interaction. We demonstrate how the skill of listening with curiosity can be applied to any relationship and issue.