The Blemished Brain: Discussing the Reality and Stigma of Mental Illness

Episode 8: Eating Disorders   This is (probably) the last episode! I had a great time making this project! In this episode, I talk to psychologist Karen Strupp about eating disorders. The three main eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and compulsive overeating disorder. We talk about symptoms, warning signs, health effects, and more for each!   Twitter: @blemished_brain Tumblr: @theblemishedbrain

Episode 7: Paranoia/Schizophrenia   In this episode, I talk to one of my best friends Clark. He has paranoid schizophrenia, which is sort of like a specific type of schizophrenia. We talk about what schizophrenia is like for him, how he copes, and stigma around it.     Twitter: @blemished_brain Tumblr: @theblemishedbrain

Episode 6: ADHD and Learning Disabilities   In this episode, I talk to school psychologist Ruth Hoffman about ADHD and learning disabilities. We discuss what they are, what they aren't, and lots of other little details!   Twitter: @blemished_brain Tumblr: @theblemishedbrain

Episode 5: Autism Spectrum   In this episode, I talk to Taylor Williams, a case specialist as Steps to Progress (which does behavioral analysis and therapy for children with autism). We talk about what exactly autism is, what its symptoms are, stigma, treatments, and more.   Twitter: @blemished_brain Tumblr: @theblemishedbrain

Episode 4: Gender Dysphoria   In this episode, I interview two guests about gender dysphoria. The first guest is my AP Psychology teacher Stephen Fox, who talks about the more technical definition and parameters of gender dysphoria. The second guest is my friend Cole, who is trans and on hormone replacement therapy.   *For some reason the audio quality on Mr. Fox's section is slightly messed up, unfortunately.   Twitter: @blemished_brain Tumblr: @theblemishedbrain

Episode 3: Depression   In this episode, I talk with my friend Gabby Reynaga about her experiences with depression. I would like to emphasize the content/trigger warning on this episode, as suicide and self-harm are mentioned several times throughout the episode. Also, more episodes should be coming out this week.   Twitter: @blemished_brain Tumblr: @theblemishedbrain    

Episode 2: Anxiety Disorders   In this episode, I talk to family friend and well-known psychologist Holly Huston about anxiety disorders. We talk about the different types, what they are, common misconceptions about the types, and coping mechanisms used for each kind. This episode is a much more typical length, by the way.   

Episode 1: Me and My Dad In this episode, I interview my father who suffers from several mental illnesses and has been hospitalized in a mental institution. We talk about the disorders he struggles with and how they have affected him in various aspects and times in is life, hospitalization, affects on our family, and stigma and misconceptions. My dad's hospitalization was one of the reasons I decided to make this podcast, so this episode is a (very long) introduction to this series.