Mental Illness Happy Hour

22 year-old Melanie R. shares about living with DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder which used to be called Multiple Personality Disorder), being bullied, having a perpetrator who is female, integrating her "alters" and Sensory Integration Disorder. Melanie can be reached at hypermelanie@aim.com Her personal blog is at loserchildhotpants.tumblr.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Melissa reads excerpts from her book So Sad Today, probes her turn ons, food issues, stint with polyamory, panic attacks, sexting and depression. This episode is sponsored by the meditation app Calm.  Visit www.calm.com/mentalillnesspodcast Follow Melissa on Twitter @SoSadToday Check out her website www.melissabroder.com Buy her book So Sad Today on Amazon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For many years the ex-highway patrolman's beat was the Golden Gate Bridge. He shares about the encounters he had with people who wanted to jump and how he learned to get some of them to open up and change their minds. He also shares about his PTSD, surviving cancer and struggling to be a better parent. Kevin now travels the world speaking as a suicide prevention advocate. Kevin's organization is www.Pivotal-points.com He can be reached at kevinbriggs@pivotal-points.com This episode is sponsored by the mindfulness/meditation app Calm download it for free at www.calm.mentalillnesspodcast.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The podcaster (Sex Nerd Sandra) shares some of her struggles (low self-esteem, depression, perfectionism) and shares about sex topics like: swinging, orgies, role play, polyamory and giving good blow jobs. This episode is sponsored by SquareSpace.  For 10% off your first purchase go to www.squarespace.com and use offer code MENTAL Follow Sandra on Twitter @SexNerdSandra Visit her websites http://sexnerdsandra.com/ and http://nerdist.com/podcasts/sex-nerd-sandra-channel/ The books referenced were The Erotic Mind by Jack Morin and Urban Tantra by Barbara Carrellas See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 32 year-old postal employee shares about growing up with an alcoholic mom and stoner dad, her struggles with perfectionism, anxiety, co-dependency and fear of the unknown, and how altruism has helped her find peace and gratitude. This episode is sponsored by www.Penzu.com This episode is sponsored by www.Harrys.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 40 year-old writer/comedian (Chelsea Lately) and podcaster (Pop Rocket) talks about growing up gay in a small town, losing his father a few weeks ago and trying to deal with a mother who can't accept him for who he is. Follow Guy on Twitter @GuyBranum  Buy his album Effable  Listen to his podcast Pop Rocket. This week's episode is sponsored by Penzu.  To sign up for a free account, go to www.penzu.com This week's episode is also sponsored by Casper Mattresses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The writer/performer (The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman, Lucky Louie, Will & Grace) opens up about being the product of a secret affair in a small town and being raised by a single mom with no boundaries.   Visit www.laurakightlinger.com or follow her on twitter @KingKightlinger This episode is sponsored by www.Harrys.com  For a great deal on shaving supplies use offer code MENTALPOD This episode is sponsored by www.penzu.com  -  a safe place to store your diary online. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 36 year-old African American tech exec (Reddit) shares about being one of the first victims of online predators in 1995 when she was 14.  She shares about her PTSD, anxiety, depression, anger, weight and difficulty trusting men romantically as well as the ways it has strengthened her. This episode is sponsored by SquareSpace.  For 10% off go to www.SquareSpace.com use offer code MENTAL. This episode is sponsored by Audible.  For a free 30 day trial, go to www.audible.com/mental This episode is sponsored by GoodTherapy.  To find a therapist that is right for you go to www.GoodTherapy.org Follow Wynter on Twitter @WynterMitchell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 25 year veteran shares about sex crime myths, psychopathy, the predator personality and how society can better protect itself, especially how parents can help their children.  This episode is sponsored by www.goodtherapy.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 23 year-old shares about hitting an emotional bottom in college after a childhood/adolescence that included cutting, disordered eating, depression and sexual trauma.  She shares how therapy and running have helped her make peace with her past and cope with the present. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 38 year-old jeweler and support group friend of Paul's opens up about being raised by an addict father in a hyper-sexual environment and his own battles with crack, heroin, alcohol and co-dependency. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Therapist Intern Erin Fox Bishop opens up about her struggles (adolescent and postpartum depression, co-dependence, suicidal ideation), and the therapist who inspired her to become one. Follow Erin on Twitter @ErinNewHabits or visit the website www.newhabitscounseling.com This episode is sponsored by SquareSpace.  For 10% off your first purchase go to www.squarespace.com and use the offer code MENTAL. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 62 year-old opens up about living with Bipolar I (with psychotic episodes and rapid cycling), battling alcoholism, being in abusive relationships, being married 5 times, having a son with Schizo-Affective Disorder and getting support from her sister, actress Glenn Close.  Jessie and Glenn co-wrote the book Resilience: Two Sisters and a Story of Mental Illness. and started the foundation to advocate for people with mental illnesses Bring Change 2 Mind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The author (Electroboy: A Memoir of Mania) and divorced father shares about his tumultuous life in the grips of manic episodes, including art fraud, sex work and prison as well as receiving ECT (electroconvulsive therapy or shock treatment) Follow Andy on Twitter @electroboyUSA Andy's website is www.electroboy.com This episode is sponsored by Howl.FM  For a free one month trial sign up at www.howl.fm and use the offer code MENTAL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The licensed psychologist and author (Running on Empty) talks about the effects of childhood emotional neglect and how parents can be more attuned to their child's needs. This is a particularly good episode for people who struggle but feel guilty because they have no abuse or trauma in their past. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The LCSW shares her experience in advocating for and counseling survivors of sexual trauma, especially navigating the legal system and helping survivors heal.  She is based in NYC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Pushcart Prize-winning writer (Permanent Midnight, I Fatty) shares about the loss of his father to suicide, his mother's belittling of his manhood, his recovery from heroin addiction and always feeling like an ashamed outsider. This episode is sponsored by www.GoodTherapy.org Follow Jerry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/somejerrystahl See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 27 year-old comedian/writer shares about her battle with Hashimoto's disease; an auto-immune disorder (with depression as one of its side effects) as well as her suicide attempt. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 33 year-old MD opens up about his anxiety, depression, perfectionism, codependency, and his and his father's alcohol struggles. He also shares about the joy and fulfillment in doing volunteer medical work in developing countries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 59 year-old comic/writer shares about being a Scientologist,her eating disorder, drug addiction surviving incest (by her father) and her beautiful but suicidal mother's loose grasp on reality. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.