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 traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar and panic disorder.
We hear directly from people living with these illnesses, gaining an honest glimpse into their realities. We also cover symptoms, diagnosis and treatments, from medications to talk therapy or both.
Hosted by Dr. Diane McIntosh, psychiatrist, author, educator and passionate advocate for better mental health care, PSYCHEDUP is your guide to understanding mental illness and finding hope.
This podcast was created as a follow-up to Wicked Mind, which explored ways to inspire change in mental health care. PSYCHEDUP builds on that foundation by focusing on understanding mental illnesses, sharing patient stories, and exploring treatments and expert insights.
Episodes
Friday Nov 07, 2025
Friday Nov 07, 2025
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 her graduation and struggling through high school, plus expert insights from Dr. McIntosh and psychologist Dr. Randy Mackoff on effective treatment approaches.
You’ll discover:
- What is Social Anxiety Disorder? Understanding the difference between shyness and a clinical diagnosis that affects up to 10% of adults
- Real-Life Impact: How fear of judgment and scrutiny leads to avoidance, missed opportunities, and isolation
- Social Media's Role: how constant comparison effects self-esteem anxiety
- How using alcohol or cannabis as a "social lubricant" creates more problems than it solves
- Treatment Options: CBT, exposure therapy, medication management, and when each approach works best
Resources
Additional information and support resources are available here.
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