Unhinged

Unhinged Episode #014: Texting Truths and Brain Facts

by Ed 1 Comment
Unhinged Episode #014: Texting Truths and Brain Facts

Another month’s end, another situational downward turn. In our 14th episode, we discuss how living under the poverty line puts any mental illness recovery in danger. Doug’s situation is no exception as he struggles to survive for eight days with a zero balance. We re-enact a texting conversation we had in preparation for the show that outlines just how negative, sarcastic, and angry one can get when control over normal, mundane things is lost.

On the lighter side, we present another round of interesting facts about the brain.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:35 — 51.8MB)

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Unhinged Episode #013: Letters From the Loony Bin

by Ed 0 Comments
Unhinged Episode #013: Letters From the Loony Bin

In our 13th episode, we cover Doug’s 6-month stint in a mental hospital. We learn what it felt like for him to be in a real life “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. Doug reads an old journal entry, which sounds like a dark and emotional suicide note. He’s come a long way since then.

Next, we discuss mental health advocacy. This has become the mission for this podcast, as well as Doug’s special purpose. We follow this with a words from some of our fans out in the wild, as well as a segment listing some interesting facts about the brain.

Finally, we touch on the dynamics of Father’s Day and how it differs between us.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:40 — 58.6MB)

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Unhinged Episode #012: Psychopharmacology and Pharmacogenetics

by Ed 0 Comments
Unhinged Episode #012: Psychopharmacology and Pharmacogenetics

This week we talk about drugs and how genetics might play a part in how they affect different people. Doug , as part of an IMPACT study in pharmacogenetics, discovers he metabolizes slowly, so medicinal treatments need to be adjusted accordingly. We also discuss his battles with the Ministry of Health and drugs not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

Ed takes the Hamilton Depression Scale test (HAM-D) to measure his depression level. How does the supposedly “normal” half of the Unhinged team rate? Doug also covers helpful tools for depressive disorder, including diet, positive self-talk, journaling, and more.

And finally, we get a progress report on Doug’s current state. What did he score on the HAM-D test?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:25 — 69.0MB)

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Unhinged Episode #011: Inside the Criminal Mind

by Ed 0 Comments
Unhinged Episode #011: Inside the Criminal Mind

We all love to fear monsters. In Hollywood, that thrill brings in millions. But what about when those monsters are real people who feel no remorse for their criminal behaviors, including murder? In this episode of Unhinged, we dig into what makes serial killers, from environmental factors to neurology. Can a serial killer be created in childhood? Can they be rehabilitated?

We also talk about the similarities and differences between sociopaths and psychopaths. There’s a fine line between the two, but there is a critical difference. You’ll also learn a bit about what drove people like Ted Bundy, Edward Gein, Joel Rifkin, and Charles Manson.
The scariest part of the show is seeing how Doug had a similar childhood experience to one of the above serial killers, yet he has not turned out the same way. We discuss why that may be.

And lastly, we talk about why we like watching movies about killers, disasters, and horror. Do we each go into it in the same frame of mind?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:29 — 79.0MB)

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Unhinged Episode #010: Money, Magic, & Murray

by Ed 0 Comments
Unhinged Episode #010: Money, Magic, & Murray

Another rocky start this week as Doug’s money troubles due to being on disability nearly derailed the show. So we decided to discuss the issue as our opening topic. How does someone with a mental illness, who cannot work, survive on only $15k per year in a city where the poverty line is at nearly $20k? Hint: It’s not easy.

We also welcome a very special guest to the show, hypnotherapist, motivational speaker, and magician Murray Goldsmith, who happens to be Doug’s uncle. Besides entertaining audiences for decades with his stimulating and humorous talks, he has written books and held seminars on “The Power of Your Belief System”. We discuss hypnotherapy, psychology, and even magic with Murray in a very entertaining and enlightening interview.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:04:13 — 88.2MB)

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Unhinged Episode #009: Music and the Brain

by Ed 0 Comments
Unhinged Episode #009: Music and the Brain

In our 9th episode, We talk about how music is what brought us together many years ago and how it became an important part of our friendship. We also disclose what the “blue room” from our previous intro is and how that’s related.

There was another rocky start the morning of this show, and Doug tells us what’s got him down.

Doug explains all about neurotransmitters and their importance in the brain, and how music can help with their production. And finally, we discuss an article from Time about how learning to play an instrument and participating in musical learning leads to better academic performance all around.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:18 — 59.5MB)

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Renowned neurosurgeon, and my DBS doc, Andres Lozano on TED (Jan 2013)

by Doug 0 Comments

Parkinson’s, depression and the switch that might turn them off

Deep brain stimulation is becoming very precise. This technique allows surgeons to place electrodes in almost any area of the brain, and turn them up or down — like a radio dial or thermostat — to correct dysfunction. Andres Lozano offers a dramatic look at emerging techniques, in which a woman with Parkinson’s instantly stops shaking and brain areas eroded by Alzheimer’s are brought back to life. (Filmed at TEDxCaltech.)

Unhinged Episode #007: Prince, Robin Williams, and Suicidal Contagion

by Ed 0 Comments
Unhinged Episode #007: Prince, Robin Williams, and Suicidal Contagion

In this episode, we discuss the difference in how the media covered the death of Prince vs. the death of Robin Williams. Responsible journalism calls for portraying celebrity suicide as not something romantic and sensationalized, but rather as a disease that has treatment options and support.

Is the media partially to blame for suicidal contagion on college campuses? We talk about a recent article in the Psychiatric Times that talks about the risk, prevention, and management of suicide clusters, and how preventing that first suicide is key to stopping the “Werther Effect” of copycat suicides.

Lastly, we get an update on Doug’s progress with his depression. Is his DBS finally starting to kick in again?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:21 — 69.2MB)

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Unhinged Episode #006: Celebrities, Ketamine, and Family

by Ed 0 Comments
Unhinged Episode #006: Celebrities, Ketamine, and Family

We start by listing some celebrities known to have Major Depressive Disorder. Though their fame does bring much needed focus to mental illness, we strive for the day when it’s accepted as a disease that is out of the control of its victims. We also discuss the use of ketamine in the fight against treatment-resistant depression. Doug participated in ketamine trials and walks us through its dissociative effects and how it brings relief to some.

Lastly, we talk about the importance of family as a support system, and how TRD can tear families apart when their support is needed the most. Our podcast has started a conversation between Doug and some members of his family. The hope for reconciliation is there.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:18 — 52.6MB)

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