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Dr. Kaz Nelson, a psychiatrist at the University of Minnesota, along with host, George, serve as translators between the psychiatric field and the non-medical community. Podcast goals: Dispel myths, address listener questions, talk directly about serious topics, such as suicide, and inform the public about what they need to know to maintain mental health and a life worth living.
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With the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, racial injustice, winter upon us, and a highly contentious election, are you experiencing a sense of 'impending doom'? Many people are describing intense, ongoing stress and exhaustion related to their circumstances. Individuals can experience a sense of 'impending doom' related to an anxiety or panic disorder, b…
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The Mental Health Impact of Discrimination
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18:39
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Dr. Kaz and George discuss a painful truth facing our society. Racism and discrimination persist. As witnessed through the death of George Floyd and many others, racism has deadly consequences. In what other ways are individuals and communities impacted by discrimination, marginalization and racism? Dr. Kaz and George explore mental health outcomes…
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In this episode of The Mind Deconstructed Podcast, Dr. Kaz and George check in with the listeners. Are you OK? We have been isolating for nearly 8 weeks to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. People are experiencing varying degrees of stress. We are bracing for a wave of mental health symptoms as a result of this crisis. Alcohol use for people is…
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Us Against the Virus: COVID-19 Special Edition
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22:59
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Dr. Kaz takes a moment to connect with the podcast audience in this special edition of The Mind Deconstructed Podcast during this time of stress and upheaval related to our collective efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus known as COVID-19. Dr. Kaz describes four key ways in which this global pandemic may be impacting individuals' mental he…
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Dr. Kaz and George acknowledge the current hot topic in mental health: the widespread fear and concern regarding COVID-19, the novel coronavirus which has impacted people in several areas across the globe. How much concern is too much? On this episode, Dr. Kaz takes this opportunity to demystify a therapy which has been misportrayed in film and tel…
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How does light affect our mood and functioning? Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
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Dr. Kaz and George and back at the microphone and explore the impact of sunlight and screen light exposure on our brains. Are our moods sensitive to the season? Does screen exposure impact our sleep quality? How does the brain respond to various kinds of light exposure? Learn about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)!…
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What is Impostor Syndrome? In this case, we are not discussing a diagnosable mental illness. Impostor Syndrome a common feeling people describe in the course of their work or social life. Automatic thoughts experienced by people with Impostor Syndrome include, "I don't belong here", "I'm not qualified to do this", "I was let in to this program or t…
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Public figures, such as Carrie Fisher, have shared about their lived experience with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is common and easily mistaken for other types of mood disorders. What are the symptoms of bipolar disorder and how is bipolar disorder different from other types of mental illness? What are common treatments? What are some of the …
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The importance of mental health is constantly in the headlines, as prominent public figures such as Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Britney Spears share about their mental health challenges on social media and other platforms. Healthy sleep is critical for physical and mental health. For many people, nightmares and dream-related content can sever…
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Will the medication class of benzodiazepines follow in the footsteps of opioids as the next harmful medication epidemic? In this first episode of Season 2 of The Mind Deconstructed Podcast, Dr. Kaz and George confront this controversial subject. Twelve percent of the United States population is prescribed a medication in this class every year. We e…
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Dr. Kaz and George at the Minnesota State Fair
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After a bit of a hiatus, Dr. Kaz and George return with a special episode recorded in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Dr. Kaz and George were delighted to participate in the first ever "Mental Health Awareness Day" at the Minnesota State Fair sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota and the Minnesota State Advisory Cou…
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Are antidepressant medications just "happy pills"? How should an antidepressant medication be expected to work? How long should a person take antidepressant medication and what happens when these medications are discontinued? Dr. Kaz, with help from her brother, George, provides an overview of the most frequently prescribed antidepressant medicatio…
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In the shadow of two public deaths by suicide and alarming data from the Centers for Disease Control on the increasing number of suicides, Dr. Kaz and George explore the impact and legacy of suicide. How does such an event impact surviving children and other family members? Are traumatic events that happen during childhood of greater significance t…
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In the time between the recording and the posting of Episode 18: Mental Illness and School, we have learned of the death of fashion designer, Kate Spade; Chef, Anthony Bourdain; and received the Centers for Disease Control's 2018 report on increased rates of suicide across the United States. George and my hearts weigh heavily with these news storie…
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month. Inspired by these events, Dr. Kaz and George explore self-injurious behavior. Common and sometimes difficult to understand, Dr. Kaz describes different patterns for self-injurious behavior and some of the drivers of these behaviors. How are impulsive self-aggr…
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It's the second anniversary of Prince's tragic death. As details unfold regarding his struggle with pain and use of opioid medications, we better understand the cost associated with problematic use of this class of medications and the pattern of taking pills or other substances to address chronic pain or other symptoms. From caffeine, food, and nic…
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Dr. Kaz and George explore mental illness issues related to pregnancy, including planning, pregnancy itself, and the period of time after a baby's birth. Topics discussed include the "baby blues", major depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and psychosis. Dr. Kaz also shares about a rarely discussed, but common issue: post-partum obsessive compulsi…
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The person who recently killed and injured people in Texas through bomb attacks (known as the "Austin Bomber") reportedly referred to himself as a "psychopath" in writings found in the investigation following his death. In this episode of The Mind Deconstructed Podcast, Dr. Kaz provides important definitions of words which are commonly misunderstoo…
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Kevin Love, professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, recently wrote an essay called "Everybody is Going Through Something" describing the impact of his panic disorder and the role of early lessons learned during his childhood. In this episode of The Mind Deconstructed Podcast, Dr. Kaz and George discuss children and adolescents w…
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Dr. Kaz and George, Minnesota sister and brother duo, tackle the topic of shame; "It's a biggie!". What is the function of this intensely painful emotion? Is shame potentially fatal? How is shame related to psychiatric disorders? Dr. Kaz shares a technique to reduce the intensity of shame. In this increasingly digital world, the stakes have never b…
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We all experience anxiety. Sometimes anxiety helps us meet our goals. Anxiety can also rise to the point of extreme intolerability or can be so constant that wellbeing is substantially negatively impacted. Where is this line? What are some common medical causes of anxiety? Could caffeine, nicotine, or energy drinks really be part of the problem? Wh…
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Is it ethical for psychiatrists to comment on the mental health of public figures? What if the health and safety of the nation is at stake? Dr. Kaz and George take the opportunity to define terms being discussed in the media as relates to the President's recent physical exam. What is a cognitive screen? How is this different than a psychiatric eval…
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Habits, Passions, Obsessions and Compulsions
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24:11
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Why is it so hard to stop playing that video game and go to bed? What is that feeling of irresistible tension that prompts a person to check a text alert? When is a passion or interest considered an addictive behavior? Dr. Kaz and George talk about the line between interest and obsession and options for treatment for when behaviors feel beyond one'…
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Trauma Part 2: Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
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Dr. Kaz and George continue their discussion of traumatic experiences and their impact on mental health and well being. This episode addresses PTSD treatment, including medication, side effects, and therapeutic approaches. More controversial approaches, such as marijuana and MDMA ("ecstasy") are also explored in this episode.…
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After trauma: Your questions answered on post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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On this episode of The Mind Deconstructed podcast, Dr. Kaz and George walk through the basic elements of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including common questions those with lived experience of trauma and their loved ones may be asking. Why do some people develop PTSD and others do not, even if they have experienced similar types of trauma?…
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Following recent events in Las Vegas and Somalia, Dr. Kaz and George discuss common mental health reactions to instances of mass violence as described by the Uniformed Services University Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress. Dr. Kaz shares common experiences such as grief for the sense of loss of safety and vulnerability. George draws parallel…
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The Revolution of Borderline Personality Disorder
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With George's help, Dr. Kaz discusses the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder and its difficult and unnecessarily stigmatized history in the field of mental health. The episode features Chuck's essay, which brings this issue to a personal level.By Dr. Kaz and George
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Dr. Kaz and George discuss the very prevalent and painful topic of suicide. Dr. Kaz shares a framework for understanding how suicidal thoughts and urges relate to (or occur independently of) mental health disorders. How can you create a safe space for a loved one to talk about the difficult topic of suicide? George shares a poignant quote from Davi…
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Dr. Kaz and George cover the topics of depression and suicide from the perspective of a trained psychiatrist.By Dr. Kaz and George
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From Freud's couch to online worksheets, Dr. Kaz talks about common forms of therapy and provides lots of great information to help our audience better understand the range of available therapies.By Dr. Kaz and George
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An introduction to psychiatry and mental health wellness with Dr. Kaz and George.By Dr. Kaz and George
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