Why The Long Face?

Extra bonus episode! It's three months down the line and Ash has being doing a lot of reflection on the impact his struggles have had on those closest to him, particularly Justine, his wife. Ash is starting to see the positive things he can take from this experience, but at the same time realising how a bipolar episode is hard, both for the sufferer and their immediate circle.

In this final episode Ash is looking back with Pete on the previous weeks of struggle, and trying to make sense of it all. Ash reflects with us on his changing attitude to work, family and financial security and we present some of the findings from this fascinating series. To play us out, Superstar DJ Doc K introduces some of the wonderful music Ash created at the height of his high. Enjoy! x

There are quite a few audios with Ash and Pete to absorb during this period, as Ash starts to come through this difficult time and realise the effect his struggles have on those around him. This is a period of intense self reflection for Ash and he is sometimes very hard on himself but always attempts to be balanced yet optimistic.

Some bits in this episode are hard to listen to as Ash struggles with an overwhelming down period. However, there are periods of light as he is able to carry on with daily tasks, although at a slower pace, whilst the love he has for his son and wife sustains him as he slowly returns to normality

We are thrilled to be back, especially as we welcome a new guest and friend of the show: Ashley Pollak! Ash is generously giving us a unique insight into his mental health and route to recovery in the form of a fascinating set of audio diaries recorded by him during his recent struggles. This recording talks about how Ash became incredibly creative and energetic during the high

We are thrilled to be back, especially as we welcome a new guest and friend of the show: Ashley Pollak! Ash is generously giving us a unique insight into his mental health and route to recovery in the form of a fascinating set of audio diaries recorded by him during his recent struggles. This recording talks about some of the triggers which took their toll on Ash.

We are thrilled to be back, especially as we welcome a new guest and friend of the show: Ashley Pollak! Ash is generously giving us a unique insight into his mental health and route to recovery in the form of a fascinating set of audio diaries recorded by him during his recent struggles. This recording introduces more pressure on Ash with deadlines looming and a million things on his plate...

We are thrilled to be back, especially as we welcome a new guest and friend of the show: Ashley Pollak! Ash is generously giving us a unique insight into his mental health and route to recovery in the form of a fascinating set of audio diaries recorded by him during his recent struggles. This recording sees little anxieties creeping in to Ash's everyday thinking...

We are thrilled to be back, especially as we welcome a new guest and friend of the show: Ashley Pollak! Ash is generously giving us a unique insight into his mental health and route to recovery in the form of a fascinating set of audio diaries recorded by him during his recent struggles. This recording set the scene with Ash in a decent place, but questioning what will be the next step in his life...

We are thrilled to be back, especially as we welcome a new guest and friend of the show: Ashley Pollak! Ash is generously giving us a unique insight into his mental health and route to recovery in the form of a fascinating set of audio diaries recorded by him during his recent struggles. This will be dissected by the good doctor Paul and the lumbering oaf Oliver! Fresh eps dropping in quick succession!

In the Ep we talk to Tim Payne, a Partner within KPMG's People Consulting Practice, about the negative psychological effects of being furloughed and what employers and those affected can do to help reduce them. We also go into "Zoom Fatigue" and other issues facing the thousands of us currently forced into full time home working.

In this episode we welcome Dr Lee David into our lock-down virtual studio. Lee is a GP, mental health specialist and mother two, who has invented an ingenious method called "10 minute CBT" to help use the essence of CBT to help young people with their struggles with mental health. She has found this particularly helpful during the pandemic and uses it to train fellow professionals.

In this Ep, we are more than thrilled to welcome Imogen Wall, a mental heath expert and first responder with many experiences of major crisis situations all over the world. Over 66 minutes (our longest ever!) we only really manage to scratch the surface of her knowledge, but are still able to learn much to help us cope with our current situation.

In this very special ep, we have the pleasure of welcoming Mark Bradley to the mic. Mark has helped people all over the world who have suffered from acute stress reactions to highly traumatic events including the Boxing Day Tsunami and the war in Afghanistan. Paul and Oliver talk to him at length about how his experience can give valuable insight into how we can cope with the current crisis and come out stronger on the other side

Well, it looks as though this isolation thing isn't going away any time soon, so Dr K has come up with a "Survival Kit" which the boys will talk through to help you through the worry, boredom and confusion which is weighing some of us down. There is good news amongst the advice as we get through this together and use the time to discover interesting things about ourselves and develop new skills.

We start Season 3 in a way we did not expect to, with our take on the Covid-19 crisis, with particular reference to how it might effect our mental heath and that of our friends in the caring professions. We have tips for coping with anxiety and casual musings on how this strange and unique time might change us as individuals and as a collective.

In the last episode of this season we talk about exercise, its positive effect on mood and how benefits can be long lasting to help ease or even prevent anxiety and depression. We explore questions such as "what are endorphins?" and "what is the 'runners' high'?" and "do I really have to go to a gym?"

Does the way you were treated as a child in terms of intimacy with your primary care giver effect your close relationships in late life? There is a large amount of evidence suggesting it certainly does, and in this Ep we uncover the different types of adult "attachment style" and whether some can be problematic.

"On the spectrum" is a phrase often heard, but also often misunderstood. What spectrum are we talking about? Is it an official medical term? Is it the same as Aspergers? And what is a savant? etc. etc. All these questions and many many more are explored in our latest Ep.

We all like a nice weekend in the country don't we? But is there something in our biology which makes the restorative power of nature a real thing. In this episode, we explore how immersing ourselves in the natural world and trying to live in environments more reflective of nature, can have a significant positive impact on our mental health. We think so!

Is ketamine a miracle cure for depression or another fad with no basis for effective use of depression?

There seems to be a groundswell of evidence supporting the idea that cannabidiol (a non-psychoactive ingredient of cannabis) can help with several mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. How does this bear up to scrutiny?

Although "burnout" is not a medical term, it is often used. Mostly referring to work situations, often white collar, burnout happens when the amount expected of someone feels like it is more than they can deliver. It manifests in anxiety symptoms and can leave the sufferer unable to face life.

Microdosing is taking small quantities of psychoactive drugs in an effort to help improve personal performance and reduce feeling of depression and anxiety. Here we explore the drugs used, and why this is becoming more and more popular with professional since it coming to prominence in California in the late 10s.

Gender Dysphoria is no longer being treated as medical disorder which is a great leap forward for the acceptance of people who feel wrongly assigned or non-binary. In this Ep we look at Gender Dysphoria through the lens of improving mental health.

Everyone knows what a narcissist is right? A big head? An alpha male / female? A selfish sociopath? In this ep we delve into its clinical meaning and find out some interesting ways in which narcissism and mental illness can be linked and explained...

Welcome to Season 2 - Deep dives into more generic mental health and other issues affecting us all today!

A very very very silly look at the work of Sigmund Freud. Paul does try to be a little serious, but Oli stops him! We are a bit ashamed of our childishness, but still like it!

The idea of treating mental illness by subjecting the patient to shock of electricity through the brain seems utterly barbaric. And yet, when all other treatments have failed, should we try something which eases the suffering, even if we don't know quite why? This topic certainly does not come with easy answers, so we try to give the facts and not judge. We'd love your thoughts.

In the second of our end of season "Short cuts" we discuss the sometimes misunderstood condition, bipolar depression. To help us describe this sometimes bewildering condition, we talk about one of our depressive heroes, Stephen Fry.

Depression has been linked to creativity. But is that really true? Also can getting absorbed in a creative endeavor help people suffering from depression find something positive to distract them?

Released on World Mental Health Day 2019, Paul and Oliver look into why many of us get depressed as the nights drawn in in Northern latitudes, and how we can best combat this.

In the 9th episode of the season the discussion is focused on depression in men. From the pressures of society, ‘manliness’ and how men often hide their mental health vulnerabilities. Paul and Oliver also talk their latest (perhaps optimistic) weight loss goals.

Teaser for Ep 9 on male depression

In this episode Paul and Oliver discuss the complex topic of suicide, how such thoughts can develop and the types of behaviour we should all be aware of spotting.

Summery of Ep 8 on suicide risk

Is depression more likely or different depending on gender?

Teaser for Ep 7 - is depression more likely or different depending on gender?

In the 6th episode of the season, Paul and Oliver look at the impact of loss in our lives and how it affects our mental health, ranging from a bereavement to the end of a relationship. Oliver also asks whether sporting results can have an impact on our mental health - cue Euro 96...

Teaser for Episode #6 - The story of loss, grief and depression

In our fifth episode, the effectiveness of antidepressants is put to our resident Doctor and his answer is surprisingly blunt! But what do they actually do? Why are there so many different forms? How do we know what works for different individuals? Tune in to find out >

In our fourth episode Paul and Oliver discuss social media and its potential impact on our mental health. Can amount of usage indicate depression? Is there a gender divide? Can similar correlations be seen across online gaming?

The causes of depression are numerous and complex and this episode serves as an overview and introduction to the topic. The boys start with the causes of depression focusing on 1. Biological 2. Social and 3. Psychological impacts.

In our second episode we discuss the fundamentals of what depression is, and how it manifests itself beyond just sadness. In addition, we focus on how to distinguish a depressive episode from just feeling down.

In the first of our series of chats on depression we cover the problem of stigma in our society, how this shows itself in attitudes and behaviour and how we can challenge it with a different way of thinking about the condition. Depression is still seen as a sign of personal failure, as if the person who experienced this assault on one’s brain function, self-esteem and sense of self, has brought this upon themselves by giving in to unhelpful patterns of thinking. The stigma exacerbates the sense of guilt that it already part of the syndrome. A better way to look at depression is to regard it as a biological reaction to prolonged and inescapable stress. It is an understandable reaction, a defence even. The corollary being the fever that may be incapacitating in the short term but is designed to fight off infection.

An introduction to what to expect from this new Podcast "Why The Long Face?"