In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we (licensed clinical psychologists Doc Bok and Doc Fish) explore the cultural and clinical trends of 2024, focusing on global unrest, political polarization, re-examining power dynamics, and the ongoing mental health crisis. We discuss the impact of trauma awareness and the complexities of the victim mentality, as well as state-specific mental health trends revealed through recent research. In this episode, we further explore the state of mental health in America, discussing various mental health trends across states, the impact of misinformation on mental health, and the public's outrage towards healthcare practices, as evidenced in the assassination of United Healthcare’s CEO. We delve into the role of venture capital in telehealth and the ethical implications of profit-driven healthcare. The conversation emphasizes the need for advocacy and ethical change in the mental health landscape, urging listeners to engage in positive dialogue and action.

Chapters

00:00 Cultural and Clinical Trends of 2024 03:54 Global Unrest and Political Polarization 6:55 Re-examining Power Dynamics, Trauma, and Victim Mentality 12:22 Cosmetic Facial Scar Study 13:32 Attitudes Towards Trauma Study 15:25 The Mental Health Crisis and Its Impacts 16:30 State-Specific Mental Health Trends 2024 23:08 Health Insurance and Public Outrage 27:36 The Impact of Venture Capital on Telehealth 31:03 Advocacy and Ethical Change in Mental Health

Personality Couch Episodes Referenced:

• Personalities that Kill (Ep. 07): https://youtu.be/Ob7WLEX7ZvQ
• What's Trending in Our Culture and How it Affects Mental Health (Ep. 09): https://youtu.be/uJKTb9Qj8RA

References:

Global Election Results:

• https://apnews.com/article/global-elections-2024-incumbents-defeated-c80fbd4e667de86fe08aac025b333f95
• https://abcnews.go.com/538/democrats-incumbent-parties-lost-elections-world/story?id=115972068
• https://www.ft.com/content/e8ac09ea-c300-4249-af7d-109003afb893
• https://time.com/6550920/world-elections-2024/

Trauma and Our Perceptions:

• Jones and McNally Facial Scar Study (2022): https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1981-28014-001
• Kleck and Strenta Study on Expectancy and Trauma (1980): https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1981-28014-001

Mental Health Trends By State:

• https://mhanational.org/issues/state-mental-health-america
• https://www.aol.com/mental-illness-plagues-va-n-184111928.html

Mental Health Venture Capital Companies’ Impact:

• https://www.amha-or.com/the-toxic-impact-of-venture-capital-on-psychotherapy
• https://www.reddit.com/r/therapists/comments/143v1yg/venture_capitol_funded_mental_health_companies/?rdt=44172
• https://www.chesshealthsolutions.com/2023/08/17/the-dark-side-of-venture-capital-investments-in-healthcare/

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we dive into the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) treatment, in particular, the healing power of the invisible dynamics in therapy. We discuss the importance of motivation and insight in recovery for BPD, and the significance of the therapeutic relationship. The conversation emphasizes that while BPD is treatable, the journey is often non-linear and requires active participation from the patient. We also highlight the necessity of setting boundaries within therapy to create a safe and effective environment for healing. In this conversation, we discuss the importance of evaluating effort in therapy, the significance of attachment, and the challenges posed by boundary violations. Our conversation also explores the concepts of transference and counter-transference, the process of repairing ruptures in the therapeutic relationship, and the methods of facilitating insight and connections in therapy. Overall, this discussion emphasizes the individualized nature of treatment and the invisible dynamics that play a crucial role in the therapeutic process.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Treatability and Recovery in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) 05:50 The Role of Motivation in Treatment 11:28 Which Treatment is Best for BPD? 14:08 Our Approach to BPD Therapy: Invisible Concepts 14:58 Boundaries in Therapy 21:15 The Therapy Relationship 22:51 Bad Therapy 26:51 Transference and Counter-Transference 33:35 Facilitating Insight and Connections 36:35 Summary and Conclusion

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we delve into the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), focusing on the themes of suicidal ideation and self-harm. We explore the DSM criteria for BPD, the motivations behind self-harming behaviors, and the stigma associated with these actions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the emotional pain experienced by individuals with BPD and the impact on their relationships. We provide insights into navigating these dynamics, the need for professional help, and the significance of setting boundaries.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) Series 01:46 DSM Criteria for Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm in BPD 03:31 Triggers for Self-Harm and Parasuicidal Behaviors 07:36 Reasons for Self-Harm and Parasuicidal Behaviors 10:11 Defining the Parasuicidal and Self-Harm Spectrum 13:59 Additional Reasons for Self-Harm and Parasuicidal Behaviors 17:24 Self-Harm and Parasuicidal Behaviors Outside of BPD 18:51 Hidden Self-Harm 20:36 Stigma and Motives of Behavior 29:39 Navigating Relationships and BPD 38:29 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

CRISIS RESOURCES

• Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741; a trained crisis counselor receives the text and responds quickly.
• National Hopeline Network: https://www.thehopeline.com/
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline @ 988 or https://988lifeline.org/
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention @ https://afsp.org/ -https://www.mentalhealthishealth.us/better-together-summit/

Psychoeducation

• https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder/index.shtml
• https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder
• https://www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.org/

In our second episode of the Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) series, we discuss how this condition manifests in relationships and clinical practice. We explore the pervasive patterns of instability, fear of abandonment, and the role of attachment theory in understanding BPD, while also touching on psychosis and dissociation. Our conversation highlights the challenges faced by individuals with BPD in their relationships and the dynamics that arise in therapeutic settings. We further emphasize the importance of understanding the multifaceted nature of BPD and the need for compassionate approaches in treatment.

Chapters

00:00 Borderline DSM Symptoms Overview 04:09 First Signs and Symptoms in Treatment 07:45 Fear of Abandonment and Its Impact 09:56 Attachment Theory and BPD 16:58 Fear of Abandonment and the Dynamics of Therapy 24:39 Episodes of Psychosis and Dissociation in BPD 30:43 Conclusion

Book Referenced:

• 1984 Borderline Book- John Gunderson, M.D.: https://www.amazon.com/Borderline-Personality-Disorder-John-Gunderson/dp/0880480203

Other Resources:

• BPD: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder/index.shtml
• BPD: https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder
• BPD: https://www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.org/

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we delve into the complexities of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). We discuss the stigma and misinformation surrounding BPD, the media's misrepresentation of the disorder, and the need for a more nuanced understanding of its symptoms and diagnosis. The conversation highlights the emotional experiences of individuals with BPD, the criteria for diagnosis, and the importance of recognizing the spectrum of presentations within the disorder. We advocate for a reboot in the classification of personality disorders to better reflect the lived experiences of those affected by BPD.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Borderline Personality Disorder 01:16 Media Misrepresentation of BPD 05:39 Borderline as a Movement, Not a Category 11:20 The Need for a Reboot in BPD Classification 15:09 Emptiness and Vague Symptoms in BPD 17:16 BPD and No Emotional Skin 18:37 Diagnosing BPD 20:12 Impulsivity in BPD 22:59 Instability in Sense of Self 26:50 Unstable Relationships 32:55 Unstable Moods 37:16 Symptoms in Quiet BPD 39:49 Summary and Closing

In this episode of the Personality Couch Podcast, we discuss common myths surrounding therapy and therapists. We debunk misconceptions about therapists being perfect, the necessity of shared experiences for effective therapy, and the idea that therapists are always analyzing everyone. The conversation emphasizes the importance of empathy, the reality of therapists' personal struggles, and the motivations behind choosing a career in therapy. We also address the financial aspects of being a therapist and encourage listeners to seek help without being deterred by myths.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Therapy Myths
• 01:02 Therapists Are Perfect and Have No Problems
• 05:02 Therapists Have to Experience the Same Problems to be Helpful
• 09:52 Therapists Are Always Analyzing Everyone
• 15:46 Therapists Have Favorite and Least Favorites
• 18:22 My Therapist Thinks I'm Crazy/a Burden
• 21:42 Therapists Get into this Profession to Work through Personal Issues
• 29:01 Therapists Are All About the Money
• 33:29 Conclusion and Encouragement for Therapy Seekers

In this episode, we dive into the concept of the drama triangle, a psychological model that explains interpersonal conflict through three roles: the victim, the persecutor, and the rescuer. We explore the historical context of the drama triangle, its origins in transactional analysis, and how these roles manifest in relationships, particularly in the context of personality disorders. Our conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing these dynamics to disrupt unhealthy patterns and foster healthier interactions.

00:00 Introduction to the Drama Triangle 01:16 Historical Context of the Drama Triangle 07:59 The Purpose of the Drama Triangle 10:44 Roles in the Drama Triangle 10:57 The Victim 15:43 The Persecutor 20:44 The Rescuer 27:24 Childhood's Influence on the Drama Triangle 30:50 Being Cast In a Role 35:21 Disrupting the Drama Triangle 36:07 Drama as Smoke to the Personality Fire 37:00 Stop, Drop, and Roll 43:16 Conclusion and Future Discussions