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How to Bankrupt Your Business, Destroy Your Family, and Lose Your Mind

Well, it had to happen sooner or later, I suppose.

In today’s episode I share my own story of my decent into madness. Beginning with my early childhood flirtations with hypochondria, I take you all the way through my battles with depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, and depersonalization, right the way through to hitting rock bottom in early 2015 when I experienced a brief period of suicidal ideation.

If that doesn’t sound morbid enough, on the way we’ll encounter adoption, drugs, prostitution, strip clubs, brothels, lies, infidelity, gangland violence, ambition, failure, bankruptcy, nudists, modern art, tongue piercings, and my illustrious career as a dog shit picker-upper.

Enjoy!

I’ve included some photos and links below to add a few visuals to the narrative, or just in case anyone thinks I might be telling porkies pies.

 

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Related Links

Hit me up on Twitter: @dannydwhittaker

Calls for investigation after brothel charges – Manchester Evening News

Clubland shooting victim named – BBC

Teen’s key-fob death is still a mystery  – Manchester Evening News

Skinbook: Facebook for 21st Century Nudists – TIME

Book Recommendations

 

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The Fear of Fear: Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

Prof. Vijaya Manicavasagar

What are panic attacks and why do they happen? Can panic attacks kill you? Can they make you lose your mind? Or are they just a completely harmless, albeit horrendous natural bodily function?

In today’s episode Prof. Vijaya Manicavasagar joins me to discuss the twin topic of panic disorder and agoraphobia. We discuss how panic disorder and agoraphobia are related, how and why the one develops into the other, and most importantly the various treatments options available, including a couple of self-help suggestions.

Vijaya is Director of Psychological Services and Director of the Psychology Clinic at the Black Dog Institute, associate Professor at the School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, and the lead investigator in a series of studies on the development and implementation of wellbeing programs in schools in Australia.

As well being in involved in the development of several apps and online programs with Digital Dog, a research group within the Black Dog Institute working to use technology the solve mental health problems, she is also co-author of the book Overcoming Panic and Agoraphobia.

 

Vijaya’s Recommended Links

The Black Dog Institute – a world leader in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.

Digital Dog – Improving mental health through technology.

Spark –  a mobile phone application which identifies people’s values, describes them, and then provides steps to improve one’s life to be consistent with those values.

Books Mentioned in This Episode

     

 

Image courtesy: Arte_ON

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