Ted's Podcast on Mental Health and Mental Illness

We feed our gut microbes, and they are significantly altered in anorexia nervosa. Many biological changes occur in this condition, including changes in short-chain fatty acids, tryptophan and cytokines.  These changes impact mood, anxiety and cognitive function. While changes in gut microbes are not the cause of anorexia nervosa, they result in the emergence of many psychological symptoms.

What are obsessions? What are compulsions? How common is OCD? What are the treatment options for the patient with OCD?

Osteoporosis occurs when bones become brittle and are at risk of breaking.  Hip fractures are a common occurrence in severe osteoporosis. All races are at risk of osteoporosis, and post-menopausal women are at particular risk. Clinical depression is a risk factor for osteoporosis.  High levels of cortisol, which occur in depression, weaken bones.  Osteocalcin, necessary for new bone formation, is...

Depression significantly increases the risk of heart disease. How? Probably by increasing inflammatory molecules in the bloodstream, increasing cortisol and making platelets more adhesive. It is imperative that we treat depression effectively, either by physical means, psychological means or a combination.    Untreated depression has major physical implications.

The 1950s were the golden age of psychiatric drug development.  Along came antipsychotics and antidepressants. Are the newer drugs better than the older drugs in terms of efficacy?  The answer unquestionably is no.   They are no more effective but have different side effects. Is there still a role for old drugs?  Yes, there is. Should benzodiazepines be used to treat anxiety or sleep disturbance? ...

What are psychedelics? In what areas of psychiatry are psychedelics being developed? Why do conventional journals publish studies with low numbers of patients? Will psychedelics ever reach the market?

Why do we not have a psychobiotic as an alternative to antidepressants? Why are pharmaceutical companies ignoring this area? What are the problems with studies of psychobiotics conducted to date? Are there alternatives to Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli as psychobiotics? Advice to consumers re psychobiotic supplements.

What is bipolar disorder? How common is the condition? What is the course of the disorder? How is bipolar disorder treated?

What is schizophrenia? What causes the disorder? How is it treated? What is the outcome of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia?

What is optimal nutrition for good mental health? What is optimal nutrition if we suffer from depression? How do exercise and good nutrition positively impact our mental health?

What are Psychobiotics, and why are they important? What types of bacteria have potential psychobiotic activity? How do Psychobiotics work? What conditions may benefit from Psychobiotics?

This episode surveys the large array of supplements in health food stores and pharmacies. It concludes that most healthy individuals on a balanced diet do not require supplements. It warns about the large number of supplements with little or no scientific backing. Supplements are the Wild West of marketing, and buyers need to be cautious.

Cognitive behaviour therapy is the most widely used psychological intervention. It is particularly effective in treating depression and anxiety.  Here, the basic principles underlying the technique are explained.

Gut microbes influence our brain and psychological makeup.  How? Are gut microbes altered in depression and other psychiatric states? How can we optimally configure our gut microbiota?

What is depression? What can we do to reduce the risk of depression and to improve treatment outcomes? The episode focuses on diet and exercise.

Stress has both positive and negative benefits. In itself, stress is not an illness. However, stress can precipitate disorders such as depression. How can we deal effectively with stress, and what impact does it have on our physical and psychological well-being?

How do clinicians view mental illness? How many mental health problems are there? How common are these disorders?

This episode describes three patients with severe depression.  It concludes with the view that depression is amongst the worst of all conditions. The objective and scope of future podcasts are outlined.  Maintaining good mental health is essential for everyone.