Send us a text In this week's episode, academic psychologist Dr. Lucy Foulkes, speaks to us about her book 'Coming of Age' and the importance of our adolescent years, the complexity of mental health awareness in today's society. We explore how rising conversations around mental illness, especially among young people, have reshaped identity, education, and the language we use to describe our inner lives. We also discussed why young adults self-diagnose, the role of social media, and the Netflix s...
Jun 04, 2025•48 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Send us a text In this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Mark Ruffalo on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), long-term psychotherapy, and the nuances of diagnosis in mental health. We discuss object relations in BPD, the concept of splitting, and how these dynamics shape therapeutic work. We also explore the role of psychoanalytic therapy, the fine line between pathology and normal behavior, and how diagnostic pluralism can improve patient care. Dr. Ruffalo also shares insights into the psycho...
Feb 01, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Send us a text In this episode of Behind the Stigma , we delve into the transformative world of lifestyle psychiatry with Dr. Nicholas Fabiano, a third-year psychiatry resident at the University of Ottawa. We explore the role of exercise in managing mild to moderate depression, its potential as a therapeutic modality alongside traditional treatments, and the broader implications for mental health care. We also discuss the challenges of publication bias in mental health research, the integration ...
Jan 10, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Send us a text In this week's episode of Behind the Stigma, we are joined by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Summer Fakhro with a discussion on Colonization and Mental Health. We define Colonialism and explore the deep and lasting psychological effects of colonization on different communities. We discuss how historical trauma, displacement, and cultural erasure continue to shape the mental well-being of individuals today, particularly with the focus on oppression happening in Palestine. From intergene...
Dec 15, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Send us a text In this compelling episode of Behind the Stigma, we are joined by award-winning clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, and activist Dr. Jay Watts to explore critical perspectives on mental health. We delve into the impact of neoliberalism on mental health services, the challenges of Personality Disorders with a focus on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and the rise of trauma-informed care. Dr. Watts shares her insights on epistemic injustice in mental health care, and the i...
Nov 24, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Send us a text In this episode of Behind the Stigma , we discuss what Positive Psychology is with Dr. Louise Lambert, a leading expert in happiness and wellbeing across the GCC. We discuss the science behind Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs), the balance between stress and strength-based approaches, and the importance of meaning over happiness in life. Dr. Lambert also shares practical exercises to boost wellbeing and insights of how positive psychology can vary based on culture, discussi...
Oct 13, 2024•55 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Send us a text In this week's episode, my guest & clinical psychologist Ali Ilyas, explores the impact and work of existential psychiatrist, Dr. Irvin Yalom. We dive into core themes like: mortality, meaning, death anxiety, and the unique dynamics of the therapist-client relationship, such as transference and countertransference. Ali shares how Yalom's teachings have shaped his personal journey and therapeutic practice, while also discussing the importance of reflecting on death, finding bal...
Oct 01, 2024•59 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Send us a text In this episode of Behind the Stigma , host Seiara Imanova speaks with Hari Sewell, founder and Director of HS Consultancy, about the intersection of social justice, ethnicity, and mental health. Hari, a leading voice on institutional racism and unconscious biases in mental health, shares his insights on the systemic factors contributing to racial disparities, the impact of social perspectives on patient outcomes, and the importance of addressing these issues in practice. Tune in ...
Sep 16, 2024•55 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Send us a text Ever wondered why we sometimes stand in our own way? In this week's episode, Dr. Alex Curmi breaks down the psychology behind self-sabotage and offers practical tips to overcome these patterns. We explore key concepts like evolutionary instincts, personality traits, repetition compulsion, avoidance compulsion, and fear of change. We also dive into why we sabotage others and how envy and jealousy play a role. Tune in for an insightful conversation that can help you understand and b...
Aug 19, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Send us a text In this week's episode, I have an in-depth conversation with a former psychiatric nurse, Neseret Bemient, on returning to wholeness and alternative ways of healing. Neseret shares her journey as a psychiatric nurse and what her role entailed, her diagnosis of medication-induced bipolar disorder, and how her childhood experiences as a refugee were an integral part of her journey. She also talks about the benefits of holistic medicine, including the ketogenic diet, and shares her in...
Jun 15, 2024•1 hr 43 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Send us a text In this week’s episode, we're diving into the fascinating world of nutrition, social prescribing & community care in psychiatry with Dr. Ally Jaffee, a Multi-Award Winning NHS Junior Doctor. Dr. Jaffee shares her journey into psychiatry, the realities of being a junior doctor, and the inspiring story behind Nutritank. We go into the emerging field of nutritional psychiatry, discussing the profound connection between diet and mental health. Dr. Jaffee sheds light on key researc...
May 18, 2024•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 11
Send us a text In this week’s episode, we dive into the intriguing world of psychedelics and intimacy with Tommaso Barba, a PhD student at Imperial College London. Tommaso brings to light his recent research on how psychedelics may revolutionize clinical outcomes outcomes for sexual function in depressed patients—offering an alternative to traditional SSRIs (antidepressants). We explore the long term effects of these substances on sexual functioning, examining how psychedelics reshape our unders...
May 03, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Send us a text In this week's episode on Behind the Stigma, I speak with Adil Hussain, a men's development coach and the Founder of Brotherhood UAE on Men's Mental Health. We delved into the importance of men's emotional expression, the challenges men face in seeking help, and the impact of societal expectations on masculinity. Adil shares insights from his own journey of healing and empowerment, highlighting the need to redefine masculinity and break free from toxic norms. We also explore the r...
Apr 19, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Send us a text In this week’s episode, I speak with Dr. Awais Aftab, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University on the Critique and the Opposition to Psychiatry. We discuss the emergence of philosophy in psychiatry as a distinct discipline, and it's historical evolution from psychoanalysis to biomedical models. We go into the critiques of disorder classifications, debates surrounding biological explanations and medication use, and the importance of fostering ...
Apr 02, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Send us a text In this week's episode of the Behind the Stigma Podcast, I speak with members of the Student Advisory Committee from Student Minds, including Aglaya Freccero, Dom Smithies, and Mahbub Alom Shuhag, in light of University Mental Health Day. We delve into the challenges and lived experiences of students, emphasizing the significance of inclusivity and diversity in mental health policies. We also explore the role of peer support networks, digital interventions, recent initiatives by S...
Mar 14, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Send us a text In this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Hipolito, an Assistant Professor at Macquarie University, on artificial intelligence, cognition and mental health. We discuss: - The philosophical realism of AI: whether AI systems are seen as seperate from us - Digital mental health apps: their advantages and concerns about data privacy, reliability, and the potential for algorithmic bias. - Smart virtual environments, and their advantages and drawbacks that come with it. - The future of v...
Mar 02, 2024•57 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Send us a text In this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Nicola Byrom, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at King’s College London. We discuss the importance of lived experience in research as well as collaborative research for student mental health. Dr Byrom shares how she founded Student Minds, the UK's biggest mental health charity, and how her personal experience drove her to want change in the higher education sector. We also discuss virtual learning environments both for on-campus and distance...
Feb 11, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Send us a text In this week's episode, featuring our guest speaker, MJDorian, we delved into the world of psychoanalyst Dr. Carl Gustav Jung and explored his Red Book , which Jung described as his “confrontation with the unconscious." We discussed the content of the book, uncovered underlying themes, and examined its relevance to the modern world. MJ also guided us through a method employed by Carl Jung known as 'The Digging Technique', shedding light on active imagination and recounting his (MJ...
Jan 28, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Send us a text In this week's episode on the Behind the Stigma Podcast, we welcome Dr. Ekaterina Netchitailova to discuss the meaning and lived experience of psychosis. Dr. Netchitailova shares her personal journey with psychiatric care in the Netherlands and the UK, shedding light on the stigma surrounding diagnoses and cultural influences on mental health. The conversation explores Dr. Netchitailova's background and delves into the circumstances leading to her first experience with psychosis a...
Jan 12, 2024•53 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Send us a text The first episode of the New Year, we delve into the concept of Jungian shadow work and integration with the shadow. (Chapter Markers added). We discuss what Shadow work means, and why it's not only about the 'dark' parts of ourselves. We also explore how the shadow influences our behavior and relationships, leading to insights about projection and its impact on personal growth. Dr. Curmi shares insights on discovering one's shadow by asking the right questions. Finally, we go int...
Dec 30, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Send us a text Welcome to Season 2! In this week's episode, we explore the intriguing link between neuroimmunology and psychiatry with guest Dr. Thomas Pollak. We discuss what autoimmune diseases are and Dr. Pollak's work on Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and it's relation to psychosis. We also discuss the role of neurology in psychiatry, and challenges in diagnosis and the necessity of considering immunology in psychiatric examinations. The episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective ...
Dec 09, 2023•52 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Send us a text In this week's episode, I speak with Amir Bozorgzadeh, Co-Founder and CEO of Virtuleap on the intersection between virtual reality and cognitive health. We discuss how Virtuleap designs VR brain training solutions to address cognitive illnesses and the potential of VR in mental health interventions. Amir shares personal insights into the power of VR, and the unique approach Virtu Leap takes in training and monitoring cognitive abilities. We also delve into a pilot study on ADHD (l...
Sep 04, 2023•1 hr 6 min
Send us a text In this week's episode, I speak with psychiatrist, Dr. Mark Horowitz, on the Effects of Antidepressants. We discuss how depression is currently understood in society - taking a step back from diagnostic categories. We also discuss what is truly known about the causality and mechanisms of depression, and the effects antidepressants have on our psychological well being and our physical body. Dr. Horowitz speaks about safely tapering off antidepressants and its withdrawal impacts, ba...
Aug 20, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 65
Send us a text In this week's episode, I speak with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Founder of Ness Labs, on productivity & the creative process. We discuss 4 different creative processes: - diffused vs focused thinking - idea sex - generation effect and - combinational creativity We also go into Anne Laure's work of mindful productivity, the different ways to identify why we procrastinate, and her journey from Google to Ness Labs. Website: https://nesslabs.com/blog Twitter: https://twitter.com/ness_la...
Aug 06, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 65
Send us a text In this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Altay, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Zurich, on misinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories. We discuss these 3 concepts, exploring Dr. Altay's work on why people do and do not share fake news, what consists of misinformation, and the factors that make people more prone to conspiracy. We conclude with ChatGPT for detecting misinformation, and future implications in the field. Website: https://sites.google.com/vie...
Jul 23, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 64
Send us a text In this week's episode, I speak with Professor Helen Fisher, Professor of Developmental Psychopathology from King's College London and Rebecca Gray on the Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study (E-Risk Study). The E-Risk Study builds knowledge around the question of how environmental and genetic factors contribute to the development of behaviors', health, and mental health problems from childhood through to adulthood. We discuss the importance of twin studies, some of the fact...
Jun 30, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 63
Send us a text In this week's episode, I speak to one of the world's most influential psychologists and researchers on ADHD, Professor Stephen Faraone. We go into defining ADHD , the role of executive functions and the differences in cognitive processes between individuals with and without the disorder. We also discuss the impact of social media on ADHD awareness and insights into the genetic components of ADHD, such as twin studies, genome-wide association studies, and the polygenic nature of t...
Jun 17, 2023•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 62
Send us a text What does your personality reveal about you, and how does it shape the way you interact with the world? In this week's episode, we dive into the fascinating realm of personality traits with Dr. Alex Curmi, psychiatrist and host of The Thinking Mind podcast. We discuss the Five Factor Model and how traits like Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness predispose our behavior and outlook on life. We also discuss the nature vs. nurture debate, dangerou...
May 30, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 62
Send us a text Two groups of boys embark on what appears to be an ordinary summer camp in the scenic State Park, Oklahoma. Or is it if a group of researchers are watching you? Learn today about the secret's of the infamous Robbers Cave Experiment, and it's contribution in the field of Social Psychology.
May 15, 2023•11 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Send us a text In this week's episode, I speak with Professor Lisa Bortolotti, Professor in the University of Birmingham on the Philosophy of Psychiatry. Our discussion was based around the notion of mental disorders and how they are viewed in the field. We also discuss the blurred lines between delusions and irrational beliefs, agency in mental health (where Professor Bortolotti talks about one of her studies done on young people in the UK) and how we should be looking into individual agency. W...
Apr 24, 2023•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 60
