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What are the differences between schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia? While they both share the prefix “schizo,” they’re two separate diagnoses.  Hosts Rachel Star Withers and Gabe Howard divulge their personal experiences with psychosis, schizophrenia, and mental health conditions as they explore the newer termed condition of schizoaffective disorder.  Guest Dr. Michelle Maust from MindPath Care Centers joins to give a medical perspective on the differences in diagnosing these disorders. About Our Guest Michelle S. Maust is a psychiatrist with MindPath Care Centers. Dr. Maust earned her degree at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, VA. As a prior doctor for the United States Army, she has the tools to help those working through crises. She is very experienced and well-versed in her field, and uses her experience to tailor her treatment approach to the particular story of each individual client. Outside of work, Dr. Maust enjoys a variety of activities like crafting, cranking up the tunes, and working on a farm with her husband. She currently treats ages 18 and up in Raleigh, NC, where she specializes in depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. http://www.mindpathcare.com

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a common and misunderstood psychiatric disorder. In this episode, Dr. Joseph W. Shannon describes the hallmarks of BPD, and shares best practices for treatment. Dr. Shannon is an expert on personality disorders, and works to train fellow clinicians on diagnosing and treating BPD, and advocates a different approach to achieve better treatment results. Listen now! Guest Information for 'Borderline' Podcast Episode Joseph W. Shannon received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in 1982 from The Ohio State University.  He has over 30 years of successful clinical experience as a psychologist, consultant, and trainer.  An expert in understanding and treating a broad range of mental disorders, Dr. Shannon has appeared on several television programs including the CBS "Morning Show" and "PBS: Viewpoint." About The Psych Central Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.        

Do you suffer from self doubt? Do you want to make changes in your life and develop new habits but find yourself repeating old patterns over and over? Today's guest, New York Times best selling author Jen Sincero, offers frank advice from her new book, Badass Habits. Listen now! Guest Information for 'Doubting' Podcast Episode Jen Sincero is a bestselling author, success coach, and motivational speaker who spent more than a decade traveling the world helping people transform their lives and their bank accounts via her public appearances, coaching products, and books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life.     About The Psych Central Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.        

Are you curious about TMS therapy? What is it, exactly? In today’s show, two psychiatrists explain how Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation works and how it can help many patients with depression, OCD or smoking addiction.  How does TMS differ from ECT? Are there any side effects? Join us to learn about this increasingly popular form of mental health treatment. Guest Information for 'TMS' Podcast Episode Todd Hutton, MD, is the Medical Director at Southern California TMS Center and a board-certified physician in the area of General Psychiatry and a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is experienced in the evaluation and treatment of adult psychiatric problems, including but not limited to major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, alcohol and chemical dependency, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety, panic, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorders. When a psychiatric problem is diagnosed, Dr. Hutton discusses the various treatment options available, and assists the patient in deciding on a well-planned approach to their care. Dr. Todd Hutton received his bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of California Irvine in 1985, and his Doctor of Medicine from University of California Irvine in 1989. He completed his residency training in psychiatry at Los Angeles County Hospital and the University of Southern California Medical Center in 1993. He was Chief Resident in his last year of residency. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Hutton also holds a position as Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the USC Keck School of Medicine and is on staff at both Huntington Hospital and Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena, CA. Kenneth P. Pages, MD, is President of TMS of South Tampa and is the Former Chief of Psychiatry at Tampa General Hospital and Memorial Hospital of Tampa. This year he celebrates 10-years in his current office location which is centrally located behind Memorial Hospital and provides a calming and aesthetically pleasing environment. Dr. Pages offers the most up to date psychiatric assessment and treatment. The focus is on NeuroStar TMS treatment for depression. He is active in organized psychiatry and the former president of the Greater Tampa Bay Psychiatric Society. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the APA. Distinguished Fellowship is awarded to outstanding psychiatrists who have made significant contributions to the psychiatric profession in at least five of the following areas; administration, teaching, scientific and scholarly publications, volunteering in mental health and medical activities of social significance, community involvement, as well as for clinical excellence.  About The Psych Central Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.          

Is there hope after a heavy drug addiction? What if you quit but then relapse? Can you quit again? Absolutely. In today’s show, our guest Daniel McGhee shares his long, but ultimately victorious, journey through alcohol and heroin addiction, incarceration, treatment centers and relapses. Now he is giving back to the community that he feels he took so much from.  Join us for a powerful story of coming back better than ever. Guest Information for 'Beating Addiction' Podcast Episode Daniel McGhee is the author of Chasing A Flawed Sun, the dynamic true story of addiction and recovery that takes you into the mind, heart, and soul of an addict. At a young age, McGhee became addicted to alcohol and heroin, and was homeless by the age of 18. McGhee lived through multiple overdoses, incarcerations and treatment facilities, and had heart attack at the age of 22. Now sober for 18 years, McGhee works at the Hopes Horizon treatment center, is a well-known community activist, speaker and addiction outreach provider in Baltimore. McGhee is the President and Founder of the non-profit Agape Projects, which fights homelessness and hunger, and provides assistance to low income seniors, helps people impacted by natural disasters, and facilitates animal rescue in Haiti and Honduras.       About The Psych Central Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.  

Let’s discuss bipolar disorder. How have treatments evolved over the last two decades? In today’s podcast, we welcome Dr. Francis Mark Mondimore, a professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins and the author of Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for You and Your Loved Ones, which is now in its fourth edition.  Join us as Dr. Mondimore shares how the field of psychiatry has changed its understanding of bipolar disorder, leading to more effective treatments. For more information and a complete transcript, visit Podcast: Inside Bipolar Disorder. Guest Information for 'Inside Bipolar Disorder' Podcast Episode Francis Mark Mondimore, MD is an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the founding director of the Mood Disorders Clinic at the Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. He is the author or coauthor of five books on mental health issues, including Depression: The Mood Disease, Adolescent Depression: A Guide for Parents, and Borderline Personality Disorder: New Reasons for Hope.       About The Psych Central Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.  

Chronic loneliness is on the rise. But how can this be when we’re more connected now than ever? In today’s show, Dr. J.W. Freiberg, a social psychologist-turned-lawyer, explains that loneliness is not an emotion like happiness or anger. It’s a sensation like hunger or thirst.  Join us for an in-depth discussion on the cost of feeling disconnected even when we're surrounded by people. For more information and a complete transcript, visit Podcast: Loneliness and Litigation: A Lawyer's Case Study. Guest Information for 'Loneliness' Podcast Episode J.W. Freiberg studies chronic loneliness through the unique lens of a social psychologist (PhD, UCLA) turned lawyer (JD, Harvard). A former assistant professor of social psychology at Boston University, he served for decades as general counsel to more than a dozen Boston social service agencies, adoption agencies, and scores of private mental health practices. In his new book, Surrounded by Others and Yet So Alone: A Lawyer’s Case Stories of Love, Loneliness, and Litigation, Dr. Freiberg shares case studies mined from his law practice to illustrate dysfunctional bonds that can lead to chronic loneliness. In the book’s award-winning prequel, Four Seasons of Loneliness, he explored chronic loneliness resulting from isolation and disconnection. For more information about all of his books, visit www.thelonelinessbooks.com.       About The Psych Central Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.  

Schizophrenia has been around since the dawn of time but actually treating it has only been around the past 100 years. In this episode host and schizophrenic Rachel Star Withers takes you through the dark and disturbing evolution of schizophrenia treatments. From systematic euthanasia to hydrotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy to the infamous lobotomy.  Were these doctors "mad scientists" torturing the mentally ill or were they the only ones trying to help a population of people seen as a burden? 

We’ve made it to the end of 2020! From polarizing politics to raging fires to COVID-19, it’s been a real doozy. And now the Holidays… Do we celebrate with loved ones and risk COVID or take a pass? What are the risks? In today’s show, our guest Dr. John Grohol, founder of Psych Central, explains how this isn’t going to be our regular holiday season and that’s okay: We can easily make lemonade out of lemons. For more information and a complete transcript, visit Podcast: Celebrating a COVID Christmas. Guest Information for 'Dr. John Grohol- COVID Christmas' Podcast Episode John M. Grohol, Psy.D. is a pioneer in online mental health and psychology. Recognizing the educational and social potential of the Internet, he founded Psych Central in 1995 as one of the first mental health and psychology sites that offered information about the symptoms and treatments of mental disorders, including interactive screening quizzes and self-help tools. Dr. Grohol transformed the way people could access mental health and psychology resources online, and his leadership has helped to break down the barriers of stigma often associated with mental health concerns, bringing trusted resources and support communities to the Internet. He has worked tirelessly as a patient advocate to improve the quality of information available for mental health patients, highlighting quality mental health resources, and building safe, private support communities and social networks in numerous health topics. Dr. Grohol has a Master's degree and doctorate in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University and sits on the editorial board of the journal Computers in Human Behavior. He is a founding board member of the Society for Participatory Medicine, and is the author of The Insider's Guide to Mental Health Resources Online (Guilford).      About The Psych Central Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.  

What is your life story? Do you feel like a victim of your circumstances? And if so, how does this affect your future? In today’s show, our guest James Sweigert, who struggled out of a traumatic childhood, shares how the power of his thoughts and the spoken word changed his life.  Are you ready to make some edits to your life story? Tune in, and James will help you go from your head to your heart so you can win the game.  For more information and a complete transcript, visit Podcast: Reframing Past Traumas. Guest Information for 'James Sweigert- Reframing Traumas' Podcast Episode James Sweigert’s childhood was challenging, to say the least. James struggled to be seen and stay safe amid the chaos, eventually turning to drugs and alcohol to cope. This self-destructive pattern continued until he changed his story—and his life.  Today James is a successful executive producer and director in film and television and coaches many creative executives and celebrities in Hollywood. He has built, run and sold several multi-million dollar, award winning production companies in Hollywood. He writes about a key truth: the way you conceptualize your life—the story you tell yourself—makes it what it is. If you say so. As a motivational speaker and “Life Cheerleader”, James’s ultimate purpose is to help others change their old “stories” to transform their lives so they can flourish and be amazing!      About The Psych Central Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.  

In today’s COVID world, many mental health patients are finding themselves “forced” into seeing their doctors online, rather than in person. But how effective is telehealth? What are the benefits and disadvantages?  Today’s guest is psychiatrist Dr. Frank Chen, who thoroughly explains the whole new world of telemedicine and why it doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, many patients, including Gabe, have found it to be quite convenient! For more information and a complete transcript, visit Podcast: Is Telehealth Effective? Guest Information for 'Frank Chen- Telehealth' Podcast Episode Dr. Frank Chen is a practicing psychiatrist in Houston, Texas, who also specializes in Adult Psychiatry. He graduated from Saint Louis University School of Medicine in 1998 and completed a residency at Baylor College of Medicine in 2002. Dr. Chen is the Chief Medical Officer at Houston Behavioral Healthcare Hospital and Houston Adult Psychiatry.     About The Psych Central Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.    

Ouch! You stub your toe or burn your finger and a curse word comes flying out. It’s automatic -- and it probably makes you feel a little better. But have you ever considered specifically using curse words as a way to improve your mental health? That’s the idea behind our guest’s new book “Move On MF'er.” In today’s show, we welcome psychologist and author Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt who explains how swearing can help us relieve the pain that overrides logic. For more information and a complete transcript, visit Podcast: Can Swearing Improve Mental Health? Guest Information for 'Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt- Swearing' Podcast Episode Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt is a board-certified health psychologist who swears her way to sanity using cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, humor, positive psychology, and profanity.  Jodie has more than 25 years of professional experience helping others find meaning in a crazy world. Follow Jodie and get some inspiration on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @jeckleberryhunt and at jodieeckleberryhunt.com.     About The Psych Central Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.    

What are the signs of emotional abuse? Can you be a victim or a perpetrator and not even know it? In today’s podcast, we welcome psychotherapist Beverly Engel who explains how emotional abuse can sometimes slide under the radar and may even be mistaken as care. In truth, it’s all about control. Join us for a nuanced discussion on the many forms of emotional abuse and how to detect it. For more information and a complete transcript, visit Podcast: Understanding Emotional Abuse. Guest Information for 'Beverly Engel- Emotional Abuse' Podcast Episode Beverly Engel is an internationally recognized psychotherapist and an acclaimed advocate for victims of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. The author of 22 self-help books, her latest book is entitled, It Wasn’t Your Fault: Freeing Yourself from the Shame of Childhood Abuse with the Power of Self-Compassion. Engel is a licensed marriage and family therapist, and has been practicing psychotherapy for 35 years. Beverly’s books have often been honored for various awards, including being a finalist in the Books for a Better Life award. Many of her books have been chosen for various book clubs, including One Spirit Book Club, Psychology Today Book Club and Behavioral Sciences Book Club. Her books have been translated into many languages, including Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Greek, Turkish and Lithuanian.  In addition to her professional work, Beverly frequently lends her expertise to national television talk shows. She has appeared on Oprah, CNN, and Starting Over, and many other TV programs. She has a blog on the Psychology Today website as well as regularly contributing to the Psychology Today magazine, and has been featured in a number of newspapers and magazines, including: Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Ladies Home Journal, Redbook, Marie Claire, The Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, and The Denver Post.  She regularly conducts training workshops throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, for both professional and lay audiences.     About The Psych Central Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.    

Let’s talk about psychotherapy. Why hasn’t it changed much in the last century? And if a patient isn’t getting well, is it the fault of the patient, the therapist, or the therapy itself? In today’s podcast, Gabe and psychologist Barry L. Duncan discuss the idea of holding therapists more accountable when the patient isn’t getting better. Join us for a great discussion that sheds new light on how we should be treating mental health issues. For more information and a complete transcript, visit Podcast: Therapist or Patient: Who's in Charge? Guest Information for 'Barry L. Duncan- Therapist or Patient' Podcast Episode Barry L. Duncan, Psy.D. is CEO of Better Outcomes Now and a psychologist, trainer, and researcher with over 17,000 hours of face-to-face experience with clients. Dr. Duncan is the developer of the clinical process of the evidence based practice, the Partners for Change Outcome Management System (PCOMS), a process that ensures that clients are privileged and therapy is accountable.  Barry has over one hundred publications, including 18 books addressing client feedback, consumer rights, and the power of relationship in any change endeavor. Because of his self-help books (the latest is What’s Right With You), he has appeared on Oprah, The View, and several other national TV programs. About The Psych Central Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.    

What’s the worst that could happen? And who will you still be regardless of the outcome? In today’s podcast, Gabe talks with author Shira Gura about her newest method CLEAR, a tool we can all use to prepare for an upcoming event or situation that is causing anxiety.  Worried about an upcoming exam, date, or party where you won’t know anyone? Join us to learn a great method to help CLEAR your head before you go. For more information and a complete transcript, visit Podcast: How to Mentally Prepare for Anything. Guest Information for 'Shira Gura- CLEAR' Podcast Episode Shira Gura is an emotional well-being coach. Her background as an occupational therapist, yoga instructor, and mindfulness teacher led her to create two powerful self-help tools:  The unSTUCK Method® and The CLEAR Way®. She is the author two books: Getting unSTUCK: Five Simple Steps to Emotional Well-Being (which was awarded winner of the 2017 International Book Award in self-help), and most recently The CLEAR Way: Five Simple Steps to Be Mentally Prepared for Anything. Through her coaching, courses, and community, she guides people to live more deliberately. She lives in Israel with her husband and four children. About The Psych Central Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.    

A third of all people will be a caregiver at some point in their lives. Caregiving for people with schizophrenia presents challenges that many people are ill-prepared for.  Host Rachel Star and Gabe Howard break down the principles of caregiving and creative ways to navigate schizophrenia.  Dr. Sarah Kopelovich joins to share schizophrenia caregiver specific training. 

Do your feelings about a romantic relationship or your partner change significantly when it’s over? In today’s show, Gabe talks with researcher Aidan Smyth who conducted a study probing people’s feelings about their relationships -- both during the relationship and after it was over. What’s your experience? Do you recall your ex with fondness, indifference or negativity? And which of these emotions are best for moving on? Join us to hear the science behind feelings in romantic relationships. For more information and a complete transcript, visit Podcast: Relationships and Rose-Colored Glasses. Guest Information for 'Aidan Smyth- Relationships' Podcast Episode Aidan Smyth is a graduate student in the Psychology department at Carleton University who studies romantic relationships, mindfulness, and goal pursuit.       About The Psych Central Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.    

In today’s show, Gabe talks with Robert Kolker, author of the New York Times bestselling -- and Oprah's book club pick -- book Hidden Valley Road. This non-fiction biography is the true story of a mid-century American family besieged by schizophrenia. Of their 12 children, 6 struggled with the severe mental disorder.  Join us for the incredible story of the family who became science's greatest hope in the quest to understand schizophrenia. For more information and a complete transcript, visit Podcast: Large Family Beset by Schizophrenia. Guest Information for 'Robert Kolker- Family Schizophrenia' Podcast Episode Robert Kolker is the author of Hidden Valley Road (2020), an instant #1 New York Times best-seller and Oprah's Book Club selection; and Lost Girls (2013), also a New York Times best-seller and Times Notable Book, as well as one of Publisher's Weekly's Top Ten Books of the year and Slate's best non-fiction books of the last 25 years. He is a National Magazine Award finalist whose journalism has appeared in New York magazine, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wired, and The New York Times Magazine.  About The Psych Central Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.    

Now that we’re in the middle of a pandemic, more people than ever are experiencing anxiety, especially those who struggled with mental health issues before COVID-19. And to make things even worse, many of our coping mechanisms, like going to the gym or hanging out with friends, have been taken away.  In today’s show, our host  talks with Jasleen Chhatwal, MD, who helps explain why so many people are having anxiety symptoms and what we can do about it. For more information and a complete transcript, visit Dealing with COVID Anxiety. Guest Information for 'Jasleen Chhatwal- COVID Anxiety' Podcast Episode Jasleen Chhatwal, MD, is Chief Medical Officer and Director of the Mood Disorders Program at Sierra Tucson, a premier residential behavioral health treatment center. Dr. Chhatwal also serves as Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Board certified in Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine, she is well versed in psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, psychopharmacology, neuromodulation including ECT & rTMS, and various emerging modalities.  Dr. Chhatwal is active in the mental health community, advocating for her patients’, colleagues, and profession through elected positions with the Arizona Psychiatric Society and American Psychiatric Association.  Echoing naturalistic healing disciplines, Dr. Chhatwal believes that the human body has the inherent capacity to heal itself when provided with a nurturing environment for the mind, body, and spirit. Her personal philosophy of ‘intentional evolution’ shapes her approach to growth and resilience. In her practice, by collaboration with colleagues from various disciplines, she aims to recreate that nurturing environment so patients can start their journey towards a healthier, more wholesome life.  About The Psych Central Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.    

Can people with schizophrenia love? Can they date or get married?  Host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard review their own past experiences.  Andrew and Stephanie Downing, authors of “Marriage and Schizophrenia: Eyes on the Prize” join and share their incredible journey and love.