Episodios

  • ARP 406 SSRIs and Factual Information

    ARP 406 SSRIs and Factual Information
    Apr 17 2026

    A few months back, there were statements about SSRIs and increase violence in youth. Not true and I found a well written article explaining what a government official said and what is the factual, data based findings. I'll have that linked below.

    What I want to do is share with you the process of evaluating a medication so that you know the benefits and possible side effects so that you can make an informed choice. The basic questions are:
    • What is this drug and why do I need it?
    • Specifics on how much to take, when and with or without foods or liquids.
    • What are the known side effects and when should I be concerned?
    • Are there foods, drinks, vitamins, herbals or other things I should not take with the medication?
    • How do I quit or stop taking the medication? There are some meds that you have to be weaned off of or you might experience harsh withdrawal symptoms.
    Resources Mentioned:
    What Is (and What Is Not) on Trump and Kennedy's Make America Healthy Again Public Health Agenda by KFF News.

    Simply Psychology page on Serotonin and how it affects the brain and body. The Mayo Clinic has a good information page about anti-depressants Antidepressants for kids and teens: What the science says. For parents who need background information on anti-depressants for their kids or teenagers. Medline Plus Drug Information Page, you can type the generic name or the brand name of the drug to get information on it. Emergency Resources: The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community. Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options. National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.
    Disclaimer:
    Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.

    Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

    This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
    Más Menos
    11 m
  • ARP 405 GLP-1 and Mental Health Symptoms

    ARP 405 GLP-1 and Mental Health Symptoms
    Apr 11 2026

    I'm seeing more PR stuff and news stories about weight lost drugs for anxiety and depression.

    The short version for me is that there is not enough science or science research to determine if GLP-1 can be used to treat anxiety and depression. But that doesn't stop news stories and PR pieces from being written.

    As a starting point, I want to explain what GLP-1 are, the intended use and some of the side effects. both positive and negative a person could experience.

    Resources Mentioned: Think Global has an article on the Mental Health Effects of Ozempic and GLP-1 drugs. From the From the American Psychological Association is a post about weight loss drugs and mental health. NPR did a news story about the growth of these types of drugs and possible mental health side effects. PubMed has an editorial on The Potential Role of GLP-1 Agonists in Psychiatric Disorders: A Paradigm Shift in Mental Health Treatment Novo Nordis is the manufacture of Ozempic. This is a link to there website about the product and you would have access to patient information sheets for consumers, doctors and pharmacists. Emergency Resources The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community. Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options. National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact. Disclaimer:
    Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.

    Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

    This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
    Más Menos
    11 m
  • ARP 404 - The Anxiety of Loneliness

    ARP 404 - The Anxiety of Loneliness
    Apr 10 2026
    In this episode, a look at loneliness, the connection to anxiety and how the book, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter can help us understand the relationship between the two.

    Loneliness is disconnection from the other. Could be the loss of the other person. Could be an an idea or way of being that use to sustain you and now it doesn't. Could be a country that that use to pretend to live up to 1/4 of their stated ideas and now you find out it closer to 1/32nd and dropping.

    Anxiety can mean that your brain and body feels that there is instability, danger or a threat. Your symptoms are the visual or sensory representation of something being wrong. Symptoms can be embarrassing. Many anxious people make the choice of separating themselves from others. There are other options. Resources Mentioned:

    The Heart is a Lonely Hunter


    Book: The book was written by author Carson McCullers and published in 1940. You should be able to find it at any retail or online book vendor. Audio: There is an abbreviated BBC full performance and there is a 12-hour narrated version of the entire book by Cherry Jones on Audible. Movie: There is a trailer on YouTube. Amazon Prime has the 1968 version of the movie that you can either rent or buy. I'm sure that other streaming services that have the film in rotation.

    Loneliness Research

    2023 The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. This is a downloadable document on the research. Journal of Effective Disorders Emotional and social loneliness and their unique links with social isolation, depression and anxiety. If the above link is troublesome, can try to download the article via the digital object identifier number.
    Emergency Resources: The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community. Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options. National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact. Disclaimer:
    Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.

    Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

    This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
    Más Menos
    11 m
  • ARP 403 Probiotic Sodas for Brain Health?

    ARP 403 Probiotic Sodas for Brain Health?
    Apr 3 2026

    Everybody is feeling a bit touchy. Some want to drink their problems away. Even non-alcoholically. There is a brand of wellness drinks that latched onto the words prebiotic and probiotic and put them in a soda pop can. Can it help with brain health and anxiety symptoms?

    Resources Mentioned:

    The website Altruva Wellness has their list of the top prebiotic and probiotic sodas. There are affiliate links on this website - due to the nature of this product, it would be better to purchase retail rather than online. The food website Sporked has a review of the taste aspect of prebiotic and probiotic sodas. The non-profit Food Facts.org has a good page on figuring out what the fiber level on food labeling. It is actually a good resource for nutritional information. Helpguide.org has a good page on high-fiber foods. Emergency Resources

    The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.

    Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options. National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact. Disclaimer:


    Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.

    Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

    This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
    Más Menos
    13 m
  • ARP 402 - A Quick Look At Roodt App

    ARP 402 - A Quick Look At Roodt App
    Apr 2 2026
    8 m
  • 401 Panic Disorder Basics

    401 Panic Disorder Basics
    Mar 27 2026

    A panic attack is a single experience. Your symptoms act the fool and you deal with it. A panic disorder is multiple unpredictable attacks that can occur during the day, week or month AND you worry when the next one will come.

    And they will. They are stinky like that. In this episode, a description of what is a panic disorder, the symptoms and the treatment options.

    Resources Mentioned:
    Medication Information The Cleveland Clinic has information about SSRI medication. Anxiety and Depression Association of America has a section on the site explaining the symptoms of panic disorders. CBT Information ADAA.org has an explainer video on CBT that you can watch on their website or YouTube channel. There is also a blog post on three things to know about CBT. Rootd app helps those who have a panic disorder deal with it using CBT as the foundation. Panic Disorder Information From the U.S, National Institute of Mental Health has a page about Panic Disorders. It appears that the information is unchanged but the related brochures that appeared have been removed. I don't believe the info has been change due to the current administration (it could happen). Emergency Resources The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community. Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options. National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact. Disclaimer:
    Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.

    Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

    This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
    Más Menos
    10 m
  • ARP 400 Panic Attack Basics

    ARP 400 Panic Attack Basics
    Mar 24 2026

    There are people that have one singular panic attack. They never have another one. Then there are those of us that have it infrequently or as a weekly pest. In this episode, I mention the bear in the driveway.

    For my overseas listeners, there are states that have bear populations. And humans have built housing near the areas where the bears and wildlife populate. So their could be a possibility of a bear rumbling through trash can looking for food. But panic attacks have invisible bears. There is a threat you can't see but your brain is telling you that you are in danger. You body reacts. In this episode, I explain in plain terms what a panic attack is, the symptoms and treatment options. I should probably tell you that I lean toward science + a whole body approach to treatment. Resources Mentioned:
    Anxiety and Depression Association of America is a non-profit website that has educational resources. They also have a YouTube channel with a Ken Goodman - Coping with Panic Attacks video that explains the panic attack cycle process. The Mayo Clinic page on When Panic Hits Home

    Helpguide.org has an 2026 updated page on panic attacks and panic disorders. Emergency Resources The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community. Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options. National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact. Disclaimer:
    Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.

    Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

    This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
    Más Menos
    7 m
  • ARP 399 Foods that Support Gut Health

    ARP 399 Foods that Support Gut Health
    Mar 20 2026

    I do like Desire in Netflix, The Sandman. What a rascal. What does this have to do with foods that support gut health? A lot more than I thought. Balancing your need for a cherry cheesecake versus you know you are going to have a hard time sleeping because of the sugar in your system.

    Not to mention what it does to your gut microbiome. It is hard to make that choice. Because I really want that cheesecake. Or burger. Or that Peach soda I found at an international market. 2 liter bottle. Yeah, I was a little jumpy for a few days. So in this episode, I do have a few words to say about desire, the feeling. Not the one in Netflix's The Sandman. But honestly, there is a relationship. Desire gets you amped up willing to do the things you shouldn't. You know you shouldn't. Next thing you know, a half bucket of chicken and all of the Cole slaw is gone. Then living with shame, regret, and rumblings in your tummy. The food items that I mention will help the good microbiomes to feel better, have support and send communication to your brain. That is a good thing. In the long term, a life affirming choice. But like the song says, I'm only human.

    Resources Mentioned:
    In case you missed the prior episode, the British Nutrition Foundation has an explainer article about the brain - gut connections and recommendations on the food you could be eating. The food info is toward the bottom of the site. The Arthritis Foundation has a downloadable shopping list of foods you can use when you are in the store and want to make better choices. Some of those bad bugs contribute to inflammation in the body. From UCSD also known as the University of San Diego is a PDF on seven fermented foods that also includes recipes on how to use them.
    Emergency Resources The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community. Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options. National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact. Disclaimer:
    Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.

    Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

    This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
    Más Menos
    11 m