Minding Your Mind

When people have a mental illness, sometimes it seems clear that medication, therapy and some lifestyle changes lead to their recovery. But other times people just seem to get better, and no one quite knows why.  Can some types of mental illness come and go episodically, almost like a headache, a cold or the flu? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Ian and James answer listener questions. Can medicinal cannabis help treat mental illness? Why do we sometimes have unpleasant daydreams, and how can we make them stop? What effect is the Trump administration having on mental health research? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

What can we learn from failure? Should we be less obsessed with achieving goals, and focus more on enjoying thejourney toward them? We discuss comedian Mark Watson’s book  Mortification– Eight Deaths and Life After Them. If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  . Let th...

What is enlightenment? As we move through life, do we gradually become more enlightened, or can it happen suddenly? Can mental illness be instantly cured? James and Ian discuss comedian Paul Foote’s show  Dissolve . If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  . Let them...

The more we learn about the world, the more there is to worry about. Do we have an obligation to stay well-informed about every terrible thing that is happening in the world, even if it negatively affects our mental health? If worrying about world events is affecting us, what can we do about it? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Ian and James compare Labor and the Coalition’s mental health promises and policies, and discuss what they have both left overlooked. If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  . Let them know any other topics you’d like them to cover. To find out more about depression an...

The show Adolescence was compelling. It raised many issues about teenagers, mental health, social media, family dynamics and the confusion and uncertainty of growing up. What did it get right? And wrong? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  . Let them know any other t...

What is the relationship between how we look, how we THINK we look, and our mental health? Do those who have Botox, plastic surgery, lifts, tucks, or get a fake tan feel happier afterwards? If so, does it last?  If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  . Let them know any...

Why do people harm themselves? What are the best ways of helping those who self-harm? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  . Let them know any other topics you’d like them to cover. To find out more about depression and support services, you can contact Head to Health a...

Belle Gibson falsely said she had cancer. Many others have invented untrue parts of their life. Why do they do it? Some are after money, but at its core, is it about status, and wanting to feel important? But let’s not get all high and mighty. Don’t we all embellish stories?  If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gm...

One in three Australians will have an anxiety disorder at some point. We tend to focus on the environmental causes of anxiety (exams, spiders, deadlines) but our genetics also play a part. How can we understand that aspect better? Ian wants your help with a new study. If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠...

What’s it like for kids growing up in homes where a parent has a mental illness? What is the best way to support them? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  . Let them know any other topics you’d like them to cover. To find out more about depression and support servi...

What are your fundamental beliefs? Where do they come from? How do they influence the decisions you make? It’s easy to say we have certain beliefs ("People should take care of each other") but do we always  act  on them? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  . Let them...

Why are some people more competitive than others? Is being ultra-competitive an advantage or a disadvantage in life? It might help you win, but will you lose friends along the way?  If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  . Let them know any other topics you’d like them to...

When something bad happens and we can’t change it – we miss a promotion, our partner leaves, someone we care about dies – how can we learn to move past the pain, anger and frustration and accept the way things are? What is self-acceptance? How can acceptance help us deal with anxious thoughts and distressing feelings?  If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

We know exercise is good mental health, but could swimming confer extra special benefits? Why does just being near water make us feel good? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  . Let them know any other topics you’d like them to cover. To find out more about depression an...

Why are around half of New South Wales Health Psychiatrists threatening to resign? Is it about money, or the long-term neglect of the mental health system by governments? What can be done to resolve the dispute and fix the mental health system? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

An ep  full of listener questions. Can the mood of those you live with influence and your own mood? Why do injured runners find resting so difficult? What is the difference between an unpleasant event we learn from, and one that traumatises us? Can the same event do both? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠...

What are dreams? Random, surreal short films directed by our subconscious? Are our dreams trying to tell us something? Or are they just the brains way of taking out the garbage? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  . Let them know any other topics you’d like them to cover. To f...

A society’s culture is its’ beliefs, social behaviours and practices. Our culture includes everything from food, sport, Christmas and dress to language, laws, education and the economy. Where does our culture come from? How does it evolve and change, and help us survive? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

What can we learn about our mind from one of the greatest and most complex characters of fiction, Shakespeare’s King Lear? We are joined by Shakespeare expert and actor John Bell to discuss justice, power, aging, families dynamics, reconciliation and love. If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  . Let them know...

Through life we are regularly confronted with tricky decisions. What do I do after school ends? What job should I apply for? What career? What partner? Where do I live? Should I have kids? How should we make decisions? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  . Let them know any other topics you’d like them...

It’s good to have a busy, active life, but for good mental health, we also need to find some peace and contentment. Is that harder now than it was in simpler times? How do we find those moments of peace? When life is challenging, how can we find contentment?  If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  . Let them know...

Psychiatry has come a long way in the last 50 years, but what are its limits? Are there people with mental illnesses that psychiatrists are unable to help? What happens to those people? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  . Let them know any other topics you’d like them to cover....

We have a lot of thoughts. They come, they go, and sometimes they come again. Recurring thoughts are those that keep coming back and go around and around our head. Often they are anxious thoughts, and don’t get us any closer to finding a solution. What are recurring thoughts? What should we do when we have them? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...