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The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

This is a podcast dedicated to answering your questions about mental health, anxiety, depression, relationships, sex, and life WITHOUT psychobabble BS. I am Dr. Robert Duff, a psychologist from Southern California, but I'm also a regular dude who legitimately wants to help out. I wrote the best selling books Hardcore Self Help: F**k Depression and Hardcore Self Help: F**K Anxiety. Those are available at http://hardcoreselfhelp.com
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The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
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Now displaying: 2018
Dec 20, 2018

The last episode of 2018! Wowwwww. It's been an awesome year and I thank you so much for all of the support, attention, and of course questions. I thought that I would end things strong with a nice Q&A episode.

Here are the topics covered:

  • What is Neuroptimal (neurofeedback)?
  • How can I help myself when depression steals my motivation?
  • How do I know if therapy is working?

I am so excited to get back into the swing of things in January. Please keep sending me your awesome questions and topic requests to duffthepsych@gmail.com!

Dec 13, 2018

This is part 2/2 for my series of interviews about Ketamine treatments. In this episode, I interview Jamie AKA "The Gloomy Optimist" about her personal experiences with the treatments that she says saved her life. We go deep into her life-long struggles with anxiety and depression. Jamie is someone who has put in the work. She has tried numerous medications and therapy, but nothing seemed to stick until Ketamine. She describes going into the first infusion suicidal and coming out with hope for the future. Powerful stuff. 

Please say hi to Jamie...

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegloomyoptimist/

At her website: http://thegloomyoptimist.com

 

And as always, you can find the full show notes for this episode at http://duffthepsych.com/episode138

Dec 6, 2018

Friends. If there is one interview of mine that you listen to, let it be this one. In this interview, I talk to Dr. Steven Mandel, the founder of the Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles. Ketamine is one of the most effective mental health treatments that very few people seem to talk about. To me this is a shame. It's amazingly effective treatment for depression, suicidality, PTSD, and bipolar. 

In the interview, we talk about why Ketamine works, what an actual session looks like, and how it is a very low-risk procedure. We also address some common misconceptions and even get into the nitty gritty of cost/feasibility.

Please share this episode with your friends, families, and networks.

This is the first of a two-part series. Next week, I will be sharing an interview with an individual who describes their personal experience and amazing benefit from Ketamine treatments for depression.

I should note that I have no personal stake in the Ketamine Clinics. I simply believe that it's a treatment that should gain more exposure.

Nov 29, 2018

Hello, everyone! Great to be back recording a normal Q&A episode this week. Between the unexpected non-episode a couple weeks back and the re-run episode last week, I haven't actually sat down and addressed your questions in a while. Here are the awesome questions that I cover on today's episode:

  • How can I break the cycle of self-sabotage and self-doubt in my relationship?
  • How can I overcome my fear of wrists?
  • How can I better decide what activities to engage in at home and stop getting paralyzed?

As always, you can send me questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and check out the full show-notes at http://duffthepsych.com/episode136

Nov 21, 2018

Hey, everyone! This is a re-release of an episode that I did last year. I am busy this week with holiday stuff, so I didn't want to record something new, but I thought it would be a good opportunity to repost episode 85, which originally aired on 11/21/17. It's all about tips that you can use to survive the holidays. The holidays are crazy for everyone, but it's stepped up a notch when you also struggle with mental health issues. Have a listen and take great care of yourselves. Much love!

http://duffthepsych.com/episode85

Nov 15, 2018

Super excited to have the awesome Kati Morton on the show with me today. I'm sure you already know who she is, but if you need a refresher, she is most well known for her Youtube channel where she answers questions and gives mental health advice. Kati is a licensed therapist and brings a down-to-earth approach to the content that she puts out.

In this interview, I learn a little more about Kati the person. We also talk about how her work as an influencer has affected her professional life. We discuss her new book, "Are You Okay?", and how you know that it's time to get some professional help.

I really hope you enjoy this broad conversation. Be sure to show Kati some love on Youtube and pre-order her book, which will be released in December! 

Nov 8, 2018

The regularly scheduled podcast interview is postponed this week. There was a tragic shooting at my alma mater's college night at the Borderline bar in Thousand Oaks, CA. In this short message, I talk about what happened, how I'm feeling, and a few tips for coping.

Nov 1, 2018

I did an episode last year around Halloween time about spooky social psychology experiments and what they say about humanity. I figured I'd keep the trend going and do an episode all about creepy treatments from the origin of psychological health care. Before listening any further, just know that some of these are cruel and gross. We've come a long way since the different treatments that I will talk about, but they are important in that they are the predecessors to the treatments that we have now. In some cases they were mean and cruel. In others they were well intentioned, but limited by the lack of knowledge that we have today. Either way, if you are sensitive to topics like this, feel free to skip this one.

Next week should be a more standard episode, so if you have a question or topic for me, send it to duffthepsych@gmail.com and the full show notes for this episode are available at duffthepsych.com/episode133.

Oct 25, 2018
Fantastic episode for you today. We go deep into the different types of medication for anxiety, how to know when it's time to stop taking them, and ways to cope with anxiety that you can use with or without medication.
 
This is the third episode taking a slightly different approach with just one question per episode, with the intention of diving deeper into topics. Now it's time to give me some feedback. If you go to the episode notes at duffthepsych.com/episode132, there will be a short survey. If you could take it, it would help me out so much!
 
As always if you have a question or topic that you'd live covered on the show, email me at duffthepsych@gmail.com
Oct 18, 2018

In this episode, I take a question from someone about how they can help their romantic partner who is great most of the time but gets suicidal or violent every so often. How can she get him to go to therapy or recognize the that there are actual issues going on? I give my perspective on this question and also spend some time defining bipolar disorder. Enjoy!

For full episode notes, check out http://duffthepsych.com/episode131 and if you have a question or suggestion for the podcast, send it over to duffthepsych@gmail.com

Oct 11, 2018

In this episode, I'm trying something slightly different. Rather than taking three questions, I'm taking one and using it as a jumping off point to go in-dept into topics related to the question. Sort of combining the deep-dive and Q&A formats. I'm going to try this for a few weeks and then ask for your opinions. Today's episode is all about C-PTSD or complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

See full show notes at http://duffthepsych.com/episode130

If you have a question that you'd like me to answer on the show, send it over to duffthepsych@gmail.com

 

Oct 4, 2018

In this episode, I do a deep dive talking about a requested topic: dementia. It can be hard to find good information and advice about dementia online, so I hope that this episode can serve that function.

I go in-depth and cover the following:

  • Dementia terminology
  • What kinds of dementia there are
  • How to get a diagnosis
  • Managing difficult behaviors
  • Support available for caregivers

If you have a suggestion for a future deep dive topic or have a question that you'd like me to answer, send it to duffthepsych@gmail.com

Sep 27, 2018

Back to the Q&A this week. Before I answer the questions, I talk about a recent psychiatric hospitalization that I had to do with the hope of helping you understand that it's not a purely black and white situation.

Here are the questions I cover:

  • How can I make friends when my depression gets in the way?
  • Should I be avoiding stress rather than exposing myself?
  • What advice do you have for a future therapist?

As always, you can send your questions for the show in to duffthepsych@gmail.com

Sep 20, 2018

Hello! I thought it would be nice to have my wife, Joelle, back on the podcast today. She's usually a listener favorite guest and I always love talking with her, so I hope you enjoy our conversation!

We talk about all kinds of stuff including:

  • Our life and recent move
  • Changing psychiatric meds
  • Parenting with anxiety
  • How I keep work at work

As always, you can send me questions for a future episode to duffthepsych@gmail.com 

Sep 13, 2018

Another round of awesome questions from you, the listeners. Here's what we cover this week:

  • What can I do about the exhaustion that comes from fighting anxiety?
  • How can I deal with my explosive anger?
  • How can I mend the relationship with my step-daughter?

As always, you can send me your questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com

Sep 7, 2018

Hello, friends! Sorry for anyone that missed last week's episode. I messed up a little with the technical side of things. We should be all back track this week. If you don't already, please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or whatever podcast player you use, so you never miss out. 

Here are the questions for this week:

  • How can I get help when I can't afford therapy and I don't have insurance?
  • What can I do when my emergency anxiety medication doesn't work?
  • I feel pressured to have kids. What should I do about it?

As always you can send me your questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com

Aug 30, 2018

Three totally different questions today ranging from relatively basic to quite intense. I hope you enjoy. Did a little something different with the format of this, please feel free to send me feedback about it.

Here are the questions:

  • As a transgender male, how can I cope with my dysphoria while having sex with my partner?
  • Should I increase my dose of Klonopin or change medications for my anxiety?
  • I feel like I don't have any reason to live. What else can I do?

As mentioned in the podcast, check out http://hardcoreselfhelp.com for my audiobooks!

If you have a question for a future episode, send it over to duffthepsych@gmail.com

Aug 23, 2018

Hello! Fantastic questions on today's Q&A episode. I am always amazed by your honesty and vulnerability when sending these in. Here's what we cover today:

  • Could porn be causing my depression and lack of pleasure in life?
  • How can I deal with my constant panic attacks?
  • Should I talk to my therapist about new fleeting thoughts of suicide?

As always, you can send me your questions for an upcoming episode to duffthepsych@gmail.com

Aug 16, 2018

Another full question and answer episode this week. Awesome questions, as always. I wanted to quickly say thank you for everyone who enrolled in the course. It was a very successful launch and I'm so happy that my hard work over the past year has paid off. THANK YOU!

Here are the questions covered this week:

  • How am I supposed to show my partner love when I have borderline personality disorder?
  • How can I best support my suicidal friends?
  • How can I stop procrastinating and stick to habits with anxiety?

As always, please keep sending me your questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com.

Aug 9, 2018

Back at it! This episode is a full three question episode for you. Thanks for your patience over the past few weeks with the short episodes. That helped me out a lot.

On a related note, the course is out! In fact, by the time the next episode drops, you will no longer be able to buy the course!! Get on it http://kickanxietycourse.com

Here are the questions answered in this episode:

  • How do I get over my anxiety about death?
  • What can I do about my crippling regret?
  • I feel attached to my therapist. Is that bad?

If you have a question for a future episode, please send it to duffthepsych@gmail.com

 

Aug 2, 2018

It's time! Kick Anxiety's Ass is now live! You can get instant access to all 10 modules of awesome anxiety slaying content at http://kickanxietycourse.com If you purchase before Monday, 8/6 and use the coupon code PODCAST, you will get $100 off. You can check out a bunch of free lessons from the course before you decide. I think you are going to get a lot out of it.

In this episode, I answer one listener question about what to do when you are uncomfortable with your therapist walking behind you to their office at the start of session.

We should be back to regularly scheduled programming next week. Until then, keep sending me your questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com

Jul 26, 2018

Hello, friends! Another mini episode this week as I gear up for the launch of Kick Anxiety's Ass, which is next week OMG fjkdlasnfkljd! 

This week I am taking a question about what to do when dealing with a toxic mother that lives in the same city. A tough one, but a really important topic.

Next week will be one more short episode and then we will be back to regularly scheduled programming.

Keep your awesome questions coming! Send them to duffthepsych@gmail.com

 

Jul 19, 2018

Hello, all! This is another mini-episode with just one question, but boy is it a good one. If you didn't catch the last episode, I am doing a series of short episodes while I crank out the finishing touches on my online course, Kick Anxiety's Ass

In this episode, I take a question about parenting with borderline personality disorder. Full show notes can be found at http://duffthepsych.com/episode118

 

If you want to send me a question for a future episode, please send it to duffthepsych@gmail.com

 

Jul 12, 2018

Hello, friends!

For the next few episodes, I will be just taking one question, so that I can free up some of my time to put the finishing touches on the Kick Anxiety's Ass Course.

For this week, the question is: Would online therapy be a good option for me, since I'm too depressed to do regular in-person therapy?

If you have a question for me, be sure to send it to duffthepsych@gmail.com. 

Jul 5, 2018

Hello, friends! Super excited to bring my wife, Joelle, back on the podcast today. As usual, this is a super candid and honest conversation naturally flows into a variety of topics, but we broadly focused on issues related to communication and supporting one another in a relationship where one partner has significant mental health challenges. We bring our own personal experience into it and keep it super real. I hope you enjoy it. 

Just a reminder: You have until 7/9/18 to enter the Kick Anxiety's Ass giveaway. Good luck! 

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