Barking Mad

Episode 18 Can’t Sleep, Won’t Sleep: The Mental Health Cost of Bad Rest Keywords sleep, insomnia, mental health, sleep deprivation, sleep cycle, sleep needs, sleep anxiety, caffeine, alcohol, sleep medication Summary In this conversation, Peter Dowling and Dr. Cathy Owen explore the critical role of sleep in our lives, discussing its importance for mental and physical health, the varying sleep nee...

Keywords ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, mental health, diagnosis, treatment, medication, lifestyle strategies, education, sociological factors, normalization Summary In this episode of Barking Mad, Peter and Dr. Cathy delve into the complexities of ADHD, exploring its definition, the recent surge in diagnoses, and the multifaceted approaches to treatment. They discuss the role of...

Keywords alpha male, mental health, seeking help, emotional literacy, community support, male friendships, suicide statistics, masculinity, mental health barriers, emotional expression Summary This conversation explores the concept of the alpha male in relation to mental health, focusing on the reluctance of men to seek help, the societal pressures surrounding masculinity, and the importance of em...

Keywords social media, mental health, anxiety, depression, community, doom scrolling, TikTok, Instagram, youth, resilience Summary This conversation explores the multifaceted impact of social media on mental health, particularly among youth. It discusses the risks associated with excessive use, such as anxiety and depression, while also highlighting the potential benefits of community and support...

Keywords Faith, psychiatry, mental illness, spirituality, demonic possession, stigma, auditory hallucinations, religious practices, mental health, support Summary This conversation explores the complex relationship between faith and psychiatry, discussing how faith can both positively and negatively impact mental health. Dr. Cathy Owen shares insights on the role of faith in coping with mental ill...

Keywords mental health, psychedelic therapy, psilocybin, MDMA, treatment options, Mind Medicine Australia, depression, PTSD, mental illness, therapy, clinical trials Summary This conversation explores the groundbreaking work of Mind Medicine Australia in revolutionizing mental health treatment through psychedelic-assisted therapies. Tania de Jong AM discusses the urgent need for effective treatmen...

Episode 12 Mental Illness and Work Keywords mental health, recovery, workplace, burnout, psychiatry, support, return to work, mental illness, stigma, employer responsibilities Summary In this episode, Peter Dowling and Professor Dr. Cathy Owen discuss the complex journey of recovery from mental illness, focusing on the challenges individuals face when returning to work. They explore the stigma sur...

Keywords mental health, psychiatry, psychosis, recovery, marijuana, stigma, medication, mindfulness, personal journey, mental wellbeing Summary In this episode of Barking Mad, host Peter Dowling engages with Clay, a listener who shares his personal journey through mental health challenges, including a marijuana-induced psychosis. The conversation explores the stigma surrounding mental health, the...

Keywords grief, loss, counselling, complicated grief, stages of grief, emotional support, retirement, gender differences, pet loss, healing Summary In this episode of Barking Mad, Peter Dowling and Dr. Cathy Owen delve into the multifaceted nature of grief and loss. They explore various types of grief, including the loss of loved ones, complicated grief, and the emotional toll of caring for someon...

Keywords Faking mental illness, psychiatry, factitious disorder, legal implications, mental health awareness Summary This conversation explores the complexities of faking mental illness, discussing the motivations behind it, the spectrum of behaviors from conscious manipulation to factitious disorders, and the legal implications of such actions. The speakers provide insights into the psychiatric p...

Keywords psychiatry, mental health, medications, treatment, public perception, medication adherence, psychiatric disorders, therapy, mental illness, healthcare Summary In this episode of Barking Mad, Dr. Cathy Owen discusses the complexities surrounding psychiatric medications, including public perceptions, the importance of adherence, and the role of alternative treatments. The conversation highl...

Episode 7 Do We Really Drink Too Much? Keywords alcohol, mental health, coping mechanism, personality changes, cultural context, non-alcoholic beverages, Australia, alcohol consumption, health promotion, addiction Summary In this conversation, Peter Dowling and Dr. Cathy Owen explore the multifaceted relationship between alcohol consumption and mental health. They discuss the cultural significance...

Episode 6 Where Have All the Services Gone? Keywords mental health, psychiatry, access to care, stigma, mental health services, healthcare professionals, mental health podcast, mental illness, public perception, mental health challenges Summary This podcast episode delves into the complexities of mental health services, exploring the challenges individuals face in accessing care, the shortage of m...

Episode 5 Where Does The Law Meet Mental Illness? Keywords law, psychiatry, mental illness, community safety, involuntary treatment, mental health legislation, historical context, personal stories Summary This conversation explores the intersection of law and psychiatry, focusing on the implications of mental illness in legal contexts, community safety, and the historical evolution of mental healt...

Episode 4 What Actually Causes Mental Illness? Keywords mental health, psychiatry, causes of mental illness, genetic factors, early life trauma, substance use, recovery, environmental factors, sleep deprivation, PTSD Summary This conversation explores the multifaceted causes of mental illness, including genetic predispositions, early life trauma, substance use, and environmental factors. The discu...

Episode 3 Are Psychiatric Treatments as Bad as They Sound? Summary In this episode, Dr. Cathy Owen demystifies psychiatry and discusses various treatments available. She addresses the stigma surrounding electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and highlights its effectiveness in treating profound depression. Dr. Owen also explores non-drug approaches such as talking therapies, including reflective approach...

Episode 2 A Range Of Ailments  Summary In this episode, Dr. Cathy Owen discusses the range of psychiatric ailments that people may present with, from less severe conditions like anxiety and mild depression to more serious and enduring conditions like psychosis and treatment-resistant depression. She also explores the various factors that can contribute to mental health issues, such as trauma, earl...

Episode 1 The Psychiatric Landscape Summary In this episode, Dr. Cathy Owen with interviewer Peter Dowling demystifies psychiatry and discusses the differences between counselling, psychology, and psychiatry. She explains that while all three disciplines work in the same space, they have different professional backgrounds, learning backgrounds, funding, and availability. Counselling focuses on her...

Welcome to Barking Mad, the podcast that pulls back the curtain on the world of mental health. Ever wonder what really happens inside a psychiatrist's office? You've come to the right place.  Join psychiatrist Dr. Cathy Owen, who brings over 35 years of frontline experience, as she and co-host Peter Dowling tackle the big questions people ask about mental health. From debunking myths to diving dee...