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In her new book "Chemically Imbalanced: The Making and Unmaking of the Serotonin Myth" Professor Joanna Moncrieff exposes how millions have been misled to believe they have brain chemical imbalances requiring drug treatments when no evidence supports this view.

• Depression is a normal human emotional response to life difficulties, not a brain disease
• The "drug-centered" model recognizes psychiatric medications as mind-altering substances that temporarily mask symptoms rather than targeting disease processes
• Disease awareness campaigns funded by pharmaceutical companies deliberately changed public perception of distress as medical conditions
• Scientific studies showing minimal differences between antidepressants and placebos are systematically misinterpreted to support the disease model
• The psychiatric establishment responds to criticism by attacking messengers rather than addressing evidence
• Alternative approaches should focus on understanding distress in context of people's lives rather than medicating normal emotions
• Recent progress in recognizing withdrawal effects and persistent side effects shows growing awareness of medication risks

Website: www.joannamoncrieff.com

X: @joannamoncrieff

Bio:

JOANNA MONCRIEFF is Professor of Critical and Social Psychiatry at University College London, and a consultant psychiatrist for the National Health Service in London. She is author of numerous scientific paper and several books on psychiatry and psychiatric drugs. She is a founder member and co-chairperson of the Critical Psychiatry Network, an influential network of psychiatrists and other doctors. Her latest book is “Chemically Imbalanced: The Making and Unmaking of the Serotonin Myth” (publisher Flint Books), featured in The Sunday Times.

FREE Mood Cycle Survival Guide: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/free/

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Dr. Sheri Johnson shares groundbreaking research on how circadian rhythms and reward sensitivity affect bipolar symptoms, offering practical approaches to wellness through lifestyle interventions. Her work at UC Berkeley's CALM program explores how time-restricted eating and Mediterranean diet patterns can strengthen body rhythms and improve mood stability.

• Bipolar symptoms affect circadian rhythms, with genetic factors influencing clock genes throughout the body
• Time-restricted eating (consuming food within a consistent 10-hour window) helps reset disrupted body clocks
• The Mediterranean diet provides essential nutrients for brain health without rigid restrictions
• Blue light from screens suppresses melatonin production, making sleep difficulties worse
• Small, incremental habit changes are more sustainable than overwhelming lifestyle overhauls
• People with bipolar symptoms often have heightened reward sensitivity that can be both a gift (creativity, drive) and challenge
• Including people with lived experience in research design improves treatment approaches
• Mindfulness, journaling, and relaxation techniques can help manage nighttime awakening

Visit calm.Berkeley.edu/participate to learn about participating in current studies on time-restricted eating, Mediterranean diet, or the upcoming study on reward sensitivity and circadian rhythms.

Instagram: @ucbcalmprogram

Facebook: The CALM Program at UC Berkeley

X: @calmprogram

Bluesky: @ucbcalmprogram

Tiktok: @ucbcalmprogram

Bio:

Dr. Johnson is the Director of the Cal Mania (CALM) Program at the University of California Berkeley. She has received funding from NARSAD, NIMH, NSF, and NCI. She has published six books and over 300 manuscripts. She is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Association for Behavioral Medicine Research, and the Association for Psychological Science, and the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (2013-2014).

Her work focuses on circadian rhythms, impulsivity and reward sensitivity in bipolar disorder. She has used a broad range of techniques, from neuroimaging to cognitive and behavioral testing and personality tests, to understand these mechanisms. Drawing on basic science, she has conducted treatment development research to target these dimensions.

FREE Mood Cycle Survival Guide: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/free/

FREE Facebook Group for Moms with Bipolar: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bipolarmomslivingwell

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Episode Highlight:
After years of navigating the complex intersection of marriage and mental health, Sue Best shares her deeply personal journey of supporting her husband, Travis, through his bipolar disorder recovery. In this heartfelt conversation, Sue opens up about the emotional challenges, pivotal moments of growth, and the resilience required to maintain stability in the face of adversity. This episode offers practical insights and hope for those navigating similar struggles, emphasizing the importance of community, communication, and self-care.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Balancing Roles: Sue’s experience as both a caregiver and a partner while supporting her husband’s mental health journey.
• The Impact on Family: Reflections on ensuring her children’s well-being and fostering emotional resilience within her family.
• Boundaries and Self-Care: The importance of setting healthy boundaries and prioritizing personal well-being to maintain stability in challenging situations.
• The Power of Support: How therapy, faith, and community became vital pillars of resilience and healing for her family.
• Parenting with Empathy: Teaching children about boundaries, emotional intelligence, and responsibility to empower them for future growth.
• Lessons from Loved Ones: Life-changing advice from friends and humbling lessons learned through her children’s perspectives.

Sue’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength in vulnerability and the hope that can be found in the support of a compassionate community. Whether you’re navigating similar challenges or seeking to better understand the dynamics of mental health within relationships, this episode offers inspiration, tools, and connection.

Tune in to this impactful episode and discover how resilience, love, and support can transform even the most difficult circumstances.

Connect with Sue:

Instagram: @the.other.side.of.bipolar

FREE Mood Cycle Survival Guide: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/free/

FREE Facebook Group for Moms with Bipolar: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bipolarmomslivingwell

website: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theupsideofbipolar/