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Tag: Personality Disorders

Mental Illness, Divorce, and Raising a Family with Amy

Today Trevor shares an update on his progress over the last few weeks and talks about the discomfort of being open and vulnerable. Then we talk to Amy (13:02), one of the first participants in our Deconstructing Stigma public awareness campaign. Amy explains how her job as a librarian gave her a sense of control at work when things felt so out of control at home. Amy then talks candidly and emotionally about being married to a man with treatment resistant depression and the toll that her role as his caregiver took on her and their family. She also recalls the guilt she felt for worrying about her own well-being while it was her husband who was struggling with mental illness. Although now divorced, Amy and her ex-husband successfully co-parent their teenage son who is also well versed in caring for someone with mental illness.

The McLean Hospital podcast Mindful Things is intended to provide general information and to help listeners learn about mental health, educational opportunities and research initiatives. This podcast is not an attempt to practice medicine or to provide specific medical advice.

© 2019 McLean Hospital. All Rights Reserved.

OCD and Hoarding with Jeff Szymanski

In this week’s episode, Trevor talks openly about how his problems staying mindful and present have led to some significant changes in his medication regimen and recalls a particularly difficult time in his life when a certain med he was taking led to some serious physical issues and an embarrassing emergency room visit. Then we talk to Jeff Szymanski, Executive Director of the International OCD Foundation (12:48) as he takes a deep dive into OCD, hoarding, and the underlying anxieties that can lead to these conditions. Jeff also discusses Exposure Response Prevention and his own struggles with particular anxieties and fears.

International OCD FOundation: https://iocdf.org/
Hoarding Resources: https://hoarding.iocdf.org/
“The Perfectionists Handbook” by Jeff Szymanski: https://amzn.to/2UE38Xz

The McLean Hospital podcast Mindful Things is intended to provide general information and to help listeners learn about mental health, educational opportunities and research initiatives. This podcast is not an attempt to practice medicine or to provide specific medical advice.

© 2019 McLean Hospital. All Rights Reserved.

From Coma to Captain with Wayne Torres

To Wayne Torres (08:00) who will celebrate his fifth year of sobriety this November, it always seemed normal to him to use alcohol to celebrate special events, to cope with stress, and just because. To help manage the difficulty of his job as a Lieutenant at a correctional facility, Wayne would drink for 4-5 hours a day: drinking wasn’t a pleasure for Wayne, it was a necessity. After branding himself ‘a fat drunk who hated life’ Wayne went through a horrific detox that landed him in a coma. His addiction to alcohol nearly killed him. Despite unsuccessful attempts at therapy and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, Wayne finally received the treatment he needed to overcome his addiction. Now Captain at the Bristol County Sherriff’s Office, Wayne spends time helping his fellow officers when they are struggling. From creating a Peer Support group to driving his coworkers to and from detox centers, Wayne wants everyone who struggles to know they are not alone.

Hear even more about Wayne’s incredible journey and the power of recovery: https://bit.ly/2TP1ayj

The McLean Hospital podcast Mindful Things is intended to provide general information and to help listeners learn about mental health, educational opportunities and research initiatives. This podcast is not an attempt to practice medicine or to provide specific medical advice.

© 2019 McLean Hospital. All Rights Reserved.

Fighting Alcohol with Wayne Torres

Wayne Torres (08:00) will celebrate his fifth year of sobriety this November. It always seemed normal to him to use alcohol to celebrate special events, to cope with stress, and just because. To help manage the difficulty of his job as a Lieutenant at a correctional facility, Wayne would drink for 4-5 hours a day. Drinking wasn’t a pleasure for Wayne, it was a necessity to make it through the day. After branding himself ‘a fat drunk who hated life’ Wayne went through a horrific detox that landed him in a coma. His addiction to alcohol nearly killed him. Despite unsuccessful attempts at therapy and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, Wayne found McLean’s Law Enforcement, Active Duty, Emergency Responder (LEADER) program where he received the treatment he needed to overcome his addiction. Now Captain at the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne spends time to help his fellow officers when they are struggling. From creating a Peer Support group to driving his coworkers to and from detox centers, Wayne wants everyone who struggles to know they are not alone.

Hear even more about Wayne’s incredible journey and the power of recovery: https://bit.ly/2TP1ayj

The McLean Hospital podcast Mindful Things is intended to provide general information and to help listeners learn about mental health, educational opportunities and research initiatives. This podcast is not an attempt to practice medicine or to provide specific medical advice.

© 2019 McLean Hospital. All Rights Reserved.

Dissociative Identity Disorder with Robert Oxnam

From the outside, Robert Oxnam (19:51) had it all. He was successful in high school and college, earned a PhD, had a thriving career and was married with two children. What was completely hidden from everyone was the inner torment he was experiencing. In 1990, Robert was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID), a condition associated with post-traumatic stress due to severe physical, sexual, or emotional abuse during early childhood. Robert and Trevor discuss his initial denial of his diagnosis and how over time, Robert came to realize that his eleven identity states could interact to overcome the painful memories of his childhood abuse – from being held over a pot of boiling water to being locked in an ice box. Robert turned to art-making as a creative outlet and now is a successful sculptor, painter, photographer, and author. Robert also speaks openly about his illness and the abuse that caused it, hoping to inspire others to feel as if they are not alone.

Robert Oxnam’s Story: https://bit.ly/2HwiCpG
The Secret and Life-Changing Impact of Early Childhood Abuse: Dissociative Identity Disorder: https://bit.ly/2HGGgyR
“A Fractured Mind” by Robert Oxnam: https://amzn.to/2CqHMBS

The McLean Hospital podcast Mindful Things is intended to provide general information and to help listeners learn about mental health, educational opportunities and research initiatives. This podcast is not an attempt to practice medicine or to provide specific medical advice.

© 2019 McLean Hospital. All Rights Reserved.

Mental Illness and Corrections with Commissioner Randall Liberty

Today’s podcast is a particularly emotional one. Trevor talks with Randall Liberty (02:14), Commissioner of the Maine Department of Corrections and a participant in McLean’s Deconstructing Stigma campaign. Randall is no stranger to trauma. As a child, he watched his mother experience frequent bouts of domestic violence from his alcoholic father. As an adult, he has been witness to the scene of more than 30 suicides and 35 fatal accidents during his years in law enforcement. He’s also pulled 19 bodies from lakes, rivers, and streams as a rescue diver, and endured unthinkable amounts of stress, loss, and traumatic events during his time as a battalion commander fighting in the Iraq war. Randall talks candidly about living with PTSD, how he copes, and how it puts him in a unique position to help others. You really do not want to miss this one.

Read more about Randall and his incredible journey: https://bit.ly/2XBrIGx

Trauma, Resiliency, and Moving Forward with Randall Liberty

Today’s podcast is a particularly emotional one. Trevor talks with Randall Liberty (02:14), Commissioner of the Maine Department of Corrections and a participant in McLean’s Deconstructing Stigma campaign. Randall is no stranger to trauma. As a child, he watched his mother experience frequent bouts of domestic violence from his alcoholic father. As an adult, he has been witness to the scene of more than 30 suicides and 35 fatal accidents during his years in law enforcement. He’s also pulled 19 bodies from lakes, rivers, and streams as a rescue diver, and endured unthinkable amounts of stress, loss, and traumatic events during his time as a battalion commander fighting in the Iraq war. Randall talks candidly about living with PTSD, how he copes, and how it puts him in a unique position to help others. You really do not want to miss this one.

Read more about Randall and his incredible journey: https://bit.ly/2XBrIGx

What Three Billy Goats & a Troll Have to Do with Covert Narcissists Dr. Rhoberta Shaler

Whatever has the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff got to do with covert narcissism? Just who is that troll under the bridge in the story? In your story? Let’s take a look at that in today’s episode of Save Your Sanity. Sad that any one has to live under a bridge, for sure. No doubt about it, the parents of a covert narcissist taught them how to do it. That’s how they survived their childhoods. Unfortunately, those are the only strategies they currently have, and so….under the bridge! Covert narcissists love to live under a bridge, have a sad story to tell, and offer to “gobble you up” when you don’t meet their needs. Today, I’m using this story to help illustrate how crafty covert narcissists are, how they hide in wait to pull you under! How they are lying in wait to make you wrong! Dr. Craig Malkin wrote that: “What’s different about covert narcissists is that because they’re introverted, they don’t advertise their inflated egos.” They may not advertise, but they still sell you that bill of goods. Are you feeling guilty that you can’t make things right or good for someone who seems to never want to feel better? Are you exhausted from trying to show someone that they matter, and it seems they don’t want to see it? You could be with a covert narcissist…or, maybe, you were raised by one. For sure, today is a good day to see what’s under the bridge, and refuse to cross any more! HIGHLIGHTS OF TODAY’S EPISODE:Why your heart goes out to people who are “takers”What covert narcissists do to make you feel as though you’re never doing it enough to make them feel goodWhy their constant stories of “it’s not fair” or “no one ever gives me a chance” need to stop playing on your heartstringsHow covert narcissists use passive-aggressive behavior to pull you down, and pull you under the bridgeWhy you’re only valued for what you can give a covert narcissist, never for who you areI hope this help you see that more clearly. If you need help with this, I’m here for you.Let’s talk soon. I can help. Schedule an initial hour consultation HERE for only $97.I hope this empowers you to make positive changes NOW.Talk soon.RhobertaRhoberta Shaler, PhD,The Relationship Help DoctorForRelationshipHelp.comP.S. Subscribe to my newsletter, Tips for Relationships, HERE.WANT THE PRIVACY AND SAFETY OF MY SUPPORT GROUPS AWAY FROM FACEBOOK?You can have that, and:access to my Optimize Circlesmy 21 Steps to Empowered Emotional Savvy programmonthly “Ask Me Anything” callsat least monthly insightful webinarYou can get most of this right now for the price of one latte a month!ForRelationshipHelp.com/CirclesCONNECT WITH DR. RHOBERTA SHALER:Website: ForRelationshipHelp.comFacebook: RelationshipHelpDoctorTwitter: Twitter.com/RhobertaShalerLinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/RhobertaShalerInstagram: Instagram.com/DrRhobertaShalerYouTube: YouTube.com/ForRelationshipHelpWeekly livestream show, Help for Toxic Relationships, on Mondays at 6 PM Pacific Time.Subscribe now to get a reminder. Ask your questions in the chat each week!You can also listen to the last 32 episodes of Save Your Sanity on Mental Health News Radio Network. That’s a great place to get in-depth insights for shoring up mental and emotional health of all kinds.#Hijackals #toxicpeople #verbalabuse #emotionalabuse #RhobertaShaler #narcissists #borderlines #antisocial #difficultpeople #toxicrelationships #manipulativepeople #walkingoneggshells #mentalhealth #emotionalhealth #abuse #narcissisticabuse #boundaries #personalitydisorders #MHNRNetwork #covertnarcissist #trolls #identifycovertnarcissism

Whole Again with Jackson MacKenzie (Author of Psychopath Free)

In this episode we will explore the topic of healing and rediscovering your true self after toxic relationships.

You’ll finally understand why going No Contact and discovering narcissism and psychopathy, although important steps in the process, don’t equate to healing the damage caused.

You’ll find out about the internal obstacles in your self-healing journey that you’ll need to overcome if you want things to change.

You’ll also get to hear an interview with Jackson MacKenzie in which we discuss the emotional wounding and repetitive patterns that are caused by narcissistic abuse.

www.InnerIntegration.com
The Journey: http://bit.ly/TheJourneyMM

Jackson’s book Whole Again: http://bit.ly/WholeAgainJM
Jackson’s Psychopath Free site: https://psychopathfree.com/

Drugs, Trauma, and Acceptance with Charles King

Today, Trevor shares how depression manifests itself physically in his body. Then we talk to Charles King (09:20), a participant in McLean’s Deconstructing Stigma campaign whose story was too compelling not to share. Charles bravely shares his struggles with alcoholism, drug addiction, suicidal thoughts, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety. As the son of drug addicted parents, Charles began running drugs for local dealers at just 5 years old and regularly had to provide clean urine samples for his mom to pass off as her own. Charles talks about the physical and mental abuse he suffered as a child and how he only felt loved and accepted when he was on drugs. Now clean and sober, Charles is enrolled in college working towards a nursing degree and currently works as a surgical pathologist.

Charles King’s Story: https://bit.ly/2TW1dZT

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