PSYCHEDUP

The only thing worse than an awful night’s sleep, is two awful night’s sleep. And if they keep adding up, it becomes almost impossible to feel like yourself. So, in this episode, Dr. Diane McIntosh is talking about chronic insomnia through the eyes of Allison, a 52-year-old woman who battled sleepless nights for most of her adult life. From waking up exhausted with "baseballs for eyes", to shying...

When Stephanie's mother was diagnosed with dementia following a stroke, everything changed. In this episode, Dr. Diane McIntosh explores the realities of dementia caregiving through Stephanie's powerful story, from managing impossible schedules to making heartbreaking decisions about care facilities. Whether you're caring for someone with dementia, supporting a caregiver, or preparing for what may...

At just 10 years old, Cedar walked into her doctor's office asking for weight loss recommendations, despite being dangerously underweight. Her perception of herself, together with her desperate need for control, marked the beginning of a decade-long battle with anorexia nervosa. In this episode of PSYCHEDUP, Dr. Diane McIntosh pulls back the curtain on eating disorders, exposing how these devastat...

Imagine missing out on life’s major milestones because it is just too hard to show up. This is what social anxiety disorder can do. But with proper treatment, it gets better. Join Dr. Diane McIntosh as she explores social anxiety disorder, a condition that goes far beyond normal shyness and can rob people of life's most important moments. This episode features Hannah's powerful story of missing he...

Imagine trying to go about your day with angry voices saying awful things at you. Or trying to concentrate in a meeting while you’re convinced the smell of rotting meat was coming from you.  Welcome to John’s world. In this episode of PSYCHEDUP, Dr. Diane McIntosh explores the complex and distressing symptoms of psychosis through his personal story. Dr. McIntosh is joined by Dr. Randy Mackoff to d...

Adversity is inevitable, how we respond to it can change everything.  Between economic uncertainty, political instability, and personal challenges with health, finances, or relationships, life can be overwhelming. Yet there’s still so much good worth celebrating. How do we balance it all and hold on to hope and happiness? The answer is resilience. Broadcaster and author Gill Deacon joins Diane to...

PSYCHEDUP is back with more episodes on Oct. 10, 2025. Mental illness touches us all, whether you've experienced it yourself or supported someone who has. Let’s get educated, because there is help.

More episodes coming soon! Dr. Diane McIntosh is hard at work exploring social anxiety disorder, psychosis, dementia, and more for our next season, which launches OCTOBER 10.  In the meantime, enjoy this episode of A Love Affair with the Unknown. Host Gill Deacon is a friend of the show and a guest of an upcoming PSYCHEDUP episode. In this episode, she talks to former federal cabinet minister Lisa...

Anxiety is something we can all relate to. But how do we distinguish between normal worry and pathological anxiety? What’s the difference between a panic attack and panic disorder? In this episode Dr. Diane McIntosh gets into the science behind this disorder, explains symptoms and talks about why it’s so important to reach out for help. We also hear from Annette, who did everything she could to pr...

What is post traumatic stress disorder? Do childhood traumas make some of us more susceptible to it than others? How can we tell the difference between emotional trauma and PTSD?  In this episode Dr. Diane McIntosh answers these questions and many more. Chelan is our guest and she shares her experience with PTSD and the steps she took to a diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Randy Mackoff and Dr. McIntos...

In this episode of PSYCHEDUP, we explore bipolar disorder, a condition defined by two extreme mood poles. Our guest Pauline pulls back the curtain on what living with bipolar disorder is really like, revealing the challenges she faces, the ultimate highs, the depressive lows and how it impacts her relationships.  Then, Dr. Diane McIntosh with her friend and colleague Dr. Randy Mackoff share their...

ADHD is often associated with creativity, quick thinking, and boundless energy, traits that many admire and even consider superpowers. But for people with untreated ADHD, the reality can look very different. Untreated symptoms can lead to challenges that impact daily life and wellbeing. Yet, ADHD is one of the most treatable neurodevelopmental conditions. So, let’s dig into ADHD with psychiatrist...

What is it really like to live with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? How do you recognize the signs, and what does effective treatment look like? In this episode of PSYCHEDUP, Nadia shares her personal experience with OCD, offering a vivid glimpse into how even a simple trip to the park with her kids could spiral into an overwhelming storm of thoughts and emotions. In this conversation Dr. Dia...

SPECIAL FEATURE. This week, PSYCHEDUP is excited to present an illuminating discussion about mental health vs mental illness. It's from the first season of Look Again, the BC Schizophrenia Society's podcast which highlights the humanity of people living with mental illness and shares insights from medical experts, family members, and individuals with lived experience. Dr. Diane McIntosh was Look A...

Silken Laumann captured the hearts of Canadians with her incredible resilience, rowing to a bronze medal in single sculls despite a devastating injury. But after the cheers faded, she realized she was facing a new challenge: depression. In this episode, host Dr. Diane McIntosh sits down with Silken to explore her journey, discussing the symptoms, causes, and path to understanding her mental illnes...

Mental illnesses are tough, frightening, isolating, and sometimes even life-threatening. Whether you’ve experienced one yourself or supported someone who has, mental illnesses touch us all. So let’s get educated, because there is help. Each episode of PSYCHEDUP focuses on one mental illness: depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post trau...

Dr. Matt Chow is Chief Mental Health Officer for TELUS Health. He is a child and youth psychiatrist and past President of Doctors of BC, the association that supports the 16,000+ physicians, residents, and medical students in British Columbia.   The pandemic still casts its long shadow over mental health and mental healthcare. In this brave conversation with Dr. Diane, they talk about the pandemic...

Scott Elliott is the Executive Director of the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation,  an internationally renowned Centre whose mission is to provide care and support for individuals with HIV/AIDS.  The center’s holistic approach, which prioritizes the individual, autonomy, respect, and empowerment, is a powerful model, with a lot that we can take to inspire innovative thinking to improve mental healthcare.  ...

Canada’s first Chief Mental Health Officer shares his personal experience with clinical depression, how his role at KPMG changed, and how employers are stepping up.  This conversation really gets to the heart of the power of self-stigma and how it can hold us back from seeking the help we need.   Contact Dr. Diane McIntosh: Website More Episodes: Website   Please make sure you subscribe, share and...

Technology’s changed how health care is delivered. Now, it’s time for psychiatric care to catch up to improve access to quality mental health care for all Canadians. In this episode, Diane speaks with Sue Paish, CEO Digital Health Supercluster, who brings an expert’s perspective on the power of technology for change.   DIGITAL grows Canadian businesses through the development, adoption, and deploy...

Some experiences are so profound they leave a lasting mark, shaping who we are and who we become. For retired Lieutenant-Colonel Stéphane Grenier, his time in Rwanda as a member of the Canadian peacekeeping team was just such an experience.   Stéphane’s personal experience with psychological injury became fuel for a career-long focus on improving mental health in the workplace. He’s left a big mar...

Years on the ground gave Louise a view into the challenges facing mental health care delivery but also the crucial role that workplaces can play in fostering - or harming - mental health.  As past president and CEO of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, Louise led the development of the country’s first Mental Health Care strategy. In this episode, Diane and Louise talk about stigma, the workpl...

His cultural heritage and years of work on the Indigenous health strategy have given Dr. Alika Lafontaine the kind of calm courage that isn't often seen in healthcare leadership. In this episode, Diane and Alika talk about what’s needed to make meaningful and sustainable changes to transform the Canadian healthcare system.   Learn more about Dr. Alika Lafontaine: Canadian Medical Association Conta...

This podcast features Dr. Diane McIntosh in conversation with mental health thought leaders and change-makers who share unique perspectives on how we can transform mental health care. Bold measures are urgently needed. Wicked Mind will inspire hope and action. This is Wicked Mind.   Please make sure you subscribe, share, and comment. If you have a topic or guest suggestion for Dr. Diane, please re...