There is a lot of turbulence in the mental health space. All kinds of mischief is going on and a portion of Americans who are trying to go back to 1862.

  It is crazy but I don't think that is a strong enough word for it.  In this episode, I have a very simplistic definition of what is an AI Language Model and what is a scripted AI chatbot and a wee bit on what is or could be a generative A.I. chatbot or treatment option.   We need to understand what is happening in the entrepreneurial mental health market place.   There is a collision of problems;

• Not enough mental health providers.
• Financial access to mental health care.
• Geographical and transportation access to mental health care.
• and a whole bunch more....

There are serious, thoughtful ethically motivated research into using new technologies to provide access to anxiety and other types of mental health treatment.    And then there is the bum rush of companies and private investors wanting to slap something up against a wall and hopes it sticks around long enough to make a profit.   Ooh, almost forgot - opportunistic low life vermin as well.   Case in point.   I recently got an email that told me that mental health is the next hot niche. And that for x amount of money, I could have oodles of videos explaining about, mental health and wellness topics.   My best and unsupported guess is that somebody somewhere has created a bunch of A.I. videos with A.I. voices that scraped content from multiple places and then have an AI video generator to create into various social media video formats.   This type of income enhancement is nothing new. And the offer of private label content is a old as the printing press. Rich guy want to show he is impressive. Hires ghost writer to enhance his reputation.    We are being flooded with crappy content for profit.   My fellow travelers on the road, it is rough but our power and defense is being informed.    Let's get to it. If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned:  Rose Cartwright's question everything she had been told about mental illness. This article appears in The Guardian.    Common Craft video on Large Language Models on YouTube - This video does not have narration. It is a readable video.    IBM definition of What is a Chatbot?   MedPage Today article on The Dark Side of AI in Mental Health High demand for AI training data may increase unethical practices in collecting patient data, by Michael DePeau-Wilson.   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.

This is a pebble in the road about the ADAA On-line Support Group.    Sometimes you need to connect to an actual human being. Or a group of people that share your problem or have similar questions.    Lots of things happening and I'm trying to adjust to them. In future episodes, probably starting with this one, there will be a transcript available. It will be 90% accurate. If your podcast player supports transcripts, it should be visible.   Meaning, that most of what I mention in the episode is present but after I do a bit of editing, tweaking and finding out that I made a big honking mistake it might be a little different.   It is the right thing to do but I have to find a way to consistently do it. And then go back and do it for the older episodes as well.    It is humbling. So many typos and lapses of thought.    Yikes.   If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned: 

Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) has a support community using the HealthUnlocked service. You must first sign into the group. 

  Please create a second email or alias email. In my opinion, using Google or Facebook logins can lead to cookies and tracking. This could expose you to multiple ads and undesired communication. 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.

In this episode a look at breathing necklaces, which are supposed to help you control your breathing. These things irk me. It isn't that they don't have a purpose. But you don't need them.   It is ok to want one or have it around your neck as a touchpoint or you really do understand how to use them. That is what I wanted to communicate in the recording.  

I had to cut a lot of stuff out of the episode. I was going on and on about anxiety gizmo advertorials in traditional and on-line magazines.  

  Somebody told them about affiliate links and the blurring of editorial and advertising content.  Some of them did not get the memo on the correct way to do this.   A lot of blurring and smudging going on. If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned:  National Health Service has a page on breathing exercises for stress.   From Harvard Health Publishing, Relaxation techniques: Breath control helps quell errant stress response.   From Mindful Magazine and their website, an audio recording of a 12-minute 4--7-8 breathing practice.    Every Mind Matters - NHS 2 minute-ish Breathing Practice   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.

For some of us, imposter syndrome is an anxiety generator. 

It goes to the heart of feeling worthy, being competent or having the right to be in a particular space.   Doing this episode made me feel like an imposter. I can hear slurred words, tangents and howlers of editing.    But here is the thing.  I don't allow it to keep me from trying and doing. Sure, I could not do the show. Or hire and editor. Or let a freaking non-human try to emulate my speech patterns.    I need to do this in order to get better. And it might take another eight years for that to happen. I have the time.   

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

There is a short TED-X explainer video called What is imposter syndrome and how can you combat it?

  National Public Radio has a 2021 Life Kit piece on 5 Steps to Shake Imposter Syndrome.   Helpguide.org article on Imposter Syndrome, causes, types and coping tips.   A Guide to Impostor Syndrome—and Overcoming It from McLean Hospital Essentials page   Kim Menninger has a podcast called The Impostor Syndrome Files. You can find it on Apple podcast or almost any other podcast directory.   Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges by Amy Cuddy or any book vendor. 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.

There is a spectrum of decisions between I can and I can't. Part of our healing journey is to understand the concept of acceptance.    A video popped up called "A Panic Attack Ended My Winter Backpacking Trip" from the Miranda Goes Outside!! YouTube channel.    I absolutely wanted to view that video. Spent a chunk of it nodding in agreement. Not to mention that I learned a little bit about not sleeping under a tree if there is snow.   I felt validated in that there is actual video proof of the experience in real life. Sometimes you can move past it. Sometimes you can't.   So I wanted to address that aspect of that experience with a few resources to help folks understand some of the concepts about acceptance and self-care.    I'm not going camping anytime soon. I need plumbing and an assurance of no bear contact.    I like bears.   I respect bears. Don't need to see one in the wild.     If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned: 

On the Positive Psychology website there is a explainer on What is Self-Acceptance? Please be aware that the site is designed for behavioral health folks, but it is easy for most people to read. There is a lot of text on the page, I'd read it a section at a time.

Psychology Today 2018 blog post on how to practice acceptance    If you lean toward a stoic point of view, there is The Philosophy of Everything blog page on the philosophy of acceptance.   The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion, by Christopher Germer, PhD. The publisher is The Guilford Press and you can find the book at almost any off and on-line book vendor. The link is to the vendor's publisher's web site.   Dr. Germer has his own website where he has a page on meditations on self-compassion. You can download the mp3 file to your device or listen to it on the website.   Mindful.org page on self-compassion and writing a love letter to yourself.     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.

 

Treatment options are evolving and this one is a pip. An expensive one, but it might be just what is needed in the middle of  a cold dark night of the soul.   Xaia aka eXtended reality Artificially Intelligent Ally is designed to work with the Apple Vision Pro.VR device.   You can talk with it. Share your concerns and get feedback about your issues. That is the topic for a quick look at the mental health support VR app. If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned:  Marques Brownlee review of the Apple Vision Pro and his take about some of the pros and cons about this product. He brings up really good points.    Xaia from VRx Health. You can read about the device and learn about the creators and the FAQ.   Wired article about Apple and digital privacy concerns.    And from the Mozilla Foundation, are mental health apps better at privacy in 2023?   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.  

In 2024, of the things we have to change is the active cultural block against men seeking mental health treatment. We don't have time for it.    All hands on deck or at least pull the ropes trying to point the ship in the right direction.    This episode is a little different because it is resource focus. Go to Helpguide.org to learn about therapy or to Heads Up Guys to learn about stress. Or use the Mettle app from Bear Grylls.   What I don't want you to do is suffer, grit your teeth and take it. Because that is causing some good people to reconsider their time on the planet.    If the assholes won't go, why should you?   Just saying.   In this episode, a look at a few men's mental health resources.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

U.S. National Institute of Mental Health page on Men and Mental Health and their page on What is Anxiety?

Infographic from Mental Health America about Mental Health for Men   The Canadian website called Heads Up Guys have self-guided courses on anxiety, mindfulness and depression topics. It is a project of the University of British Columbia. The site has a lot of information dealing with depression, with roadmaps, stress management tips and more.   The Anxiety and Depression Association has a dedicated page on anxiety that includes statistics, symptoms and links to other pages about treatment options.   Adventure Bear Grylls is the co-founder of a new mental health app for men. It is called Mettle. You can find more information at the app website https://bemettle.com/   Australian Beyond Blue gateway page about men and mental health topics.   UK Mental Health Foundation page on Why Men Don't Talk About Mental Health

 

ARP Episode 161 Finding a Therapist, contains a list of therapists directories.    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.

There are a lot of decisions that you have to make when you are seeking treatment.

Hopefully you find a good doctor or a mental health professional to guide you though the process. Those are aspirational goals by the way. You might run into a doc that just wants to give you medication and then report back in four weeks.    Or you can't find or afford a provider in your area. I would suggest that you take some time and work on a decision guide as to what you want and don't want concerning your treatment.    This can mean getting a physical and diagnostic test to rule out another cause for your symptoms.   Or reviewing therapists to figure out the behavioral treatment options. Do you want short term or an extended treatment process? In person or virtual care?   A decision guide can help you plan out what you want and need to navigate the process. If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resource Mentioned:  The Ottawa Personal Decision Guide can help you organize your thoughts about a decision you need to make about your treatment options. 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.  

In January, you often hear about the aspirational pledges. No shopping. No drinking alcohol. 

Go vegan or as close to it as you can get. My year round goal is to get folks at a basic level to take time to breath. Slow it down. Chill as in being quiet. Not as in ice baths.    Me in a former incarnation; "Nuts to you, I breath all of the time. I still have symptoms." Future me: "Yeah, you dope. You also drink six cans of Coke or Dr. Pepper a day. Your diet is atrocious (but very tasty) and your rocking at best five hours of sleep a night.   Fortunately, former me studied at the school of hard knocks that the body need clean fuel, time to regenerate and making time on the daily to slow it down and practice breathing. And yes, give up the carbonation with the caffeine chaser. So in this episode, if you happen to have a fidget spinner or fidget ring then dig it out and try this breathing practice. If you don't have one, no worries you can do it with a pebble, pen or pencil or small palm sized object. If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned:  SAMSHA Disaster Distress Hotline is 1–800–985–5990 for voice or text calls. You can also access the Incidents of Mass Violence page to learn more about it, the symptoms and other resources.  Mindful.org has a beginners guide to understanding and using meditation. For some people, meditation is a vital part of the treatment process. Please understand there are multiple ways to meditate. There is a text and audio version on the site.   Hands on Meditation YouTube channel with a beginners practice cycle.    If you are truly pressed for time, there is Dr. All Mattu 40 seconds of a breathing practice.   There is a short 2:30-ish beginners practice from Hand’s On Meditation.    Cleveland Clinic page on How to do the 4-7-8 Breathing exercise. It goes into more detail on the why it works and some variations to improve the effects of the practice.    National Institute of Mental Health PDF on I'm So Stressed Out Fact Sheet.  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.    

With all of the book banning in the United States, a person could make a case that some sections of the country has ideophobia or the fear of ideas. 

Might also be bibliophobia. In this episode, a quick look at the definition of Ideophobia. If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned: 

 

Mind.org.uk Causes of Phobias self-help guide.   https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/phobias/causes-of-phobias/    Mental Health America has an information page about phobias, the types of phobias and the treatment option of cognitive behavioral therapy.   From the UK National Health Service, a self-help guide to phobias, what they are and what you can do about them.  ADAA has on-line communities where you can communicate with other people that have your experience share their stories, experiences and there are mental health professionals that post helpful resources.   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.  

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and anxiety or depression, you have to deal with both conditions at the same time.

It is a challenge but not impossible. There are resources and options to help you deal with treatment.    This is just a quick mention of some of those resources that could be of assistance to you or someone you know.  If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741. Resources Mentioned:  American Diabetes Association Behavioral Health Toolkits for folks with Diabetes who might be experiencing anxiety.   American Diabetes Association Mental Health Directory   U.S. Centers for Disease Control page on 10 Tips for Coping with Diabetes Distress and Diabetes and Mental Health  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.