[DocJohn]

Hi folks,

Two of our Ask the Therapists therapists are once again planning to do a series of videos. You can see their past work and topics covered on our YouTube channel:

PsychCentral - YouTube

So I'm asking the community if there are any general topic areas they'd like to see covered in this series. I'm looking for questions about mental health or relationships you'd like to hear their answers to.

Post them here, and we'll sift through them for possible ideas we can use for this session. Appreciate it!!

Thanks!

Best,
DocJohn

[ifst5]

Personality disorders and how there needs to be less discrimination and a clearer understanding of symptoms so that sufferers can access the right care.

[Angelique67]

I echo the request for the topic of discrimination and stigma, especially in emergency departments.

[Onward2wards]

* Discrimination and stigma
* Concrete thinking and assertive communication from the patient so they can better articulate what is really wrong
* Practical ways of increasing self-esteem and self-confidence (since these appear to be very common issues)
* Anxiety management (another common problem)

[Wren_]

Coping with suicidal thoughts (why people have them; why they can be there when someone doesn't actually want to die; what can help; when crisis lines fail etc)

More therapy topics (Therapy and discussing difficult topics, out of session contact, therapist vacations etc, coping with ruptures, therapist vacations etc)

What it actually means to sit with feelings and why people should do it (or shouldn't)

How to cope with triggers

Self care (what it means; how to take care of yourself after being abused; when you are severely depressed)

Supporting someone with a mental illness

How to tell other people about your mental illness

[Angelique67]

Forced benzodiazepene withdrawal and why it should never be done to a patient against their will.

[SnakeCharmer]

What unconditional positive regard (Carl Rogers) and unconditional self, other and life acceptance (Albert Ellis) mean in the therapeutic relationship.

How they're similar, how they're different and why they're important.

[hamster-bamster]

There is a lot of talk about insomnia and a lot of books for the general audience, but they portray the insomnia as a condition of the overly stressed, overly anxious, and overextended people. Most of the advice in them is trivial (go to bed at the same time, keep the bedroom calm and cool, etc.).

If the staff and volunteers could separate the sleep techniques and advice that are specific to the mentally ill people, and straight to the point, without any fillers, then that would be greatly appreciated.

You can see for yourself by issuing queries with sleep(less)-related terms against the database of threads. "incurable insomnia", "no sleep" etc. would pop up more often than not.

[Yoda]

A Q I often see posted is what to expect when going in-patient to a psych hospital

[SmileHere]

What to do if you think you might have been misdiagnosed

[gma45]

What about dual-diagnosis issues? Also would like to know why MH issues are not discussed when you are told you have a debilitating physical illness or told ways to cope.

[venusss]

What can YOU actually do for YOURSELF without assistance for others.

[kenny66]

side effects of medication and how you can manage it.
Dealing with hypomania
what a mental health clinic looks like

[shortandcute]

I'd like to see something on bipolar disorder.

[tealBumblebee]

More information on the lesser discussed topics. In my circumstance - Schizotypal PD

[Ripose]

How about the damage (personally and legally) that can be done to your life just because you have a mental illness.

How you and a "normal" person can both do exactly the same wrong, yet you receive a far worse punishment by being locked up in a psyche ward or jail and the normal person gets a slap on the wrist and walks free.