The Mind Exposed

Addiction and mental health are often treated as separate problems, but they’re more connected than many people realize. In this episode of The Mind Exposed, we explore the relationship between substance use and mental health. We break down co-occurring disorders, common misconceptions about addiction, warning signs clinicians and families should recognize, and why treating addiction alone may not...

In this crucial episode, host Dr. Wexler sits down with Sam Wakach, LCSW a private practitioner and consultant specializing in complex mental health care to address a subject every family navigating serious mental illness needs to understand: the intersection of psychosis and suicide risk. When a loved one experiences psychosis, fear and confusion often leave families feeling powerless. Sam breaks...

In this episode of The Mind Exposed , Rachael Wexler sits down with Jennifer Gladden “J.D.,” Head of School at Fusion Academy Los Angeles, to talk about a different way of approaching education. Not every student learns the same way, and not every student thrives in a traditional classroom. Jennifer shares how Fusion Academy works to meet students where they are by getting to know how they learn,...

Summary For many people on the autism spectrum, learning the “rules” of conversation is only one piece of the puzzle. Someone may know what to say, but still struggle to read facial expressions, understand emotions, recognize someone’s intentions, or pick up on the subtle social cues that make connection feel natural. In this episode of The Mind Exposed , Kyle Menchel, LCSW, sits down with Dr. Eri...

In this episode, Kyle and Dr. Owens explore the complex relationship between obsessive-compulsive disorder, scrupulosity, and psychosis. They discuss how psychotic symptoms and severe moral obsessions can present in individuals with OCD, key differences from primary psychotic disorders, common diagnostic challenges, and evidence-based approaches to assessment and treatment. The conversation provid...

In this episode, Adrian and Lila explore the complex relationship between borderline personality disorder and psychosis. They discuss how psychotic symptoms can present in individuals with borderline personality disorder, key differences from primary psychotic disorders, common diagnostic challenges, and evidence-based approaches to assessment and treatment. The conversation provides practical ins...

In this episode, we explore the unique clinical considerations surrounding psychosis and schizophrenia spectrum disorders in young men. From early warning signs and behavioral changes to the social and emotional pressures that can affect diagnosis and treatment, we examine why early intervention and individualized care are so important during adolescence and young adulthood. We discuss how symptom...

What happens when autism and schizophrenia share overlapping traits? In this episode, we dive into the complicated intersection of autism spectrum disorder, early psychosis, and schizophrenia, exploring how certain symptoms can blur diagnostic lines and impact people’s lives in very different ways. We discuss the early signs of psychosis, social and cognitive differences associated with autism, an...

In this episode, we explore the complex relationship between autism, early psychosis, and schizophrenia and why these conditions are sometimes misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or overlapping in important ways. We break down the similarities and differences in symptoms, discuss how early warning signs can appear, and examine the challenges clinicians face when diagnosing neurodevelopmental and psychoti...