Inside Bipolar Healthline Media

Join our hosts as they delve into the intricacies of psychosis, hallucinations, and delusions, highlighting the challenges faced by those who experience them and their impact on loved ones. Gabe shares his journey with bipolar psychosis, detailing the intense delusions involving demons that once dominated his life.
Through candid conversation and professional insights, our hosts explore the realities of mental illness, emphasize the importance of compassionate support, and discuss practical strategies for managing symptoms. Whether you’re seeking understanding, support, or education, this episode offers invaluable perspectives on living with and overcoming bipolar psychosis. Listen Now!
Cold Open Transcript:
Gabe Howard: On television, the hallucinations are always perfect. The person who is hallucinating is seeing a fully-fledged person. They're able to interact with that person. They're able to touch that person. They're able to play chess with that person. Is that what a hallucination needs to look like in order for somebody to seek help for it?
Dr. Nicole Washington: No, that is TV, man. That is not what this looks like. Sometimes, even on some of these based on true story movies that we make about people with psychosis, sometimes those people never have visual hallucinations, but it doesn't make for good TV. It doesn't bring the point home for the watcher or the listener. You need to have that too in order to really kind of get what's going on.

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page.

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an A*****e and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.
To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @askabipolar.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
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Today, Gabe and Dr. Nicole discuss the anti-psychiatry movement, emphasizing the importance of balancing perspectives. They acknowledge the valid concerns of anti-psychiatry advocates but caution against the dangers of extreme views, which can undermine beneficial aspects of psychiatric treatment. They encourage reading both pro- and anti-psychiatry literature to make informed decisions while underscoring the need for improvements in the mental health field to address its historical (and ongoing) shortcomings.
"I know because 'I did this research that says the following things,' and that research is not grounded in reality. That is the anti-psychiatry movement that we are most worried about. But again, submerge yourself in it, learn about it, understand it, figure out what pieces apply to your treatment. Do not answer shop. Do not get stuck in the echo chamber. Do not get stuck in the silo. Because that's not a way to get good care either." ~Gabe Howard, Host
To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.
Our Host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.
To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @askabipolar.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
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Today, we tackle the complex question, "How do you know if you're getting better with bipolar disorder?" Gabe shares his experiences and frustrations as a patient with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole provides insights from a board certified psychiatrist's viewpoint.
Together, they discuss the importance of setting realistic goals, the value of tracking progress through mood journals and standardized assessments, and the often-overlooked small victories in the journey toward wellness. Whether you're managing bipolar disorder or supporting someone who is, this episode offers practical tips and heartfelt advice on recognizing progress.
"We have to figure out our own benchmarks. Better is relative, and we also have to be very careful in the whole funk of I'm not getting any better. Are you comparing yourself to yourself? [. . .] You need to compare you now to how you were 2 months ago, 3 months ago, 4 months ago. What are your benchmarks?" ~Dr. Nicole Washington
To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

Our Host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an A*****e and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.
To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @askabipolar.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the 
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We discuss the common complaint from people with bipolar disorder of feeling emotionally blunted or like a "zombie" due to their medication. Gabe expresses the people’s frustrations when their concerns seem dismissed in favor of highlighting symptom improvements. Dr. Nicole emphasizes the importance of providing specific examples and patience because medications take time to stabilize. They conclude that to effectively address this issue, people need to clearly communicate their experiences, and psychiatrists need to balance symptom management with quality of life considerations.
Cold Open Transcript:
Dr. Nicole: But feeling like a zombie and not having that passion, to me, those are still two very different things. That's where the disconnect is. So, did you feel like a zombie or were you just less passionate about things?
Gabe: So, once again we get back to where we started, which is that telling your Dr. Nicole you feel like a zombie is just a recipe for misunderstanding. . . And probably not getting what you want.
To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

Our Host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.
To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @askabipolar.


Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
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Our hosts delve into the crucial aspects of understanding and managing a bipolar disorder diagnosis. Join them as they break down five essential questions every person should ask their healthcare professional about their diagnosis and treatment options.
Learn why these questions matter, how to navigate the complex diagnostic process, and explore some of the common treatment avenues. Whether you've just received a diagnosis or are seeking to deepen your understanding, this episode offers valuable insights to help you take control of your journey with bipolar disorder. Listen now for practical advice and expert guidance that can make a real difference.

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page.

Our Host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an A*****e and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.
To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @askabipolar.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
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Our hosts try to avoid pop psychology topics and focus on specifics with more robust scientific backing. However, imposter syndrome has been getting a lot of attention recently. Even though imposter syndrome isn't officially a diagnosis, it's a real issue for many, including people with bipolar disorder. 
The fact is, imposter syndrome can affect anyone, regardless of other mental health disorders, and finding community and allies is one way to combat it. In this episode, our hosts reflect on the broader societal implications and the importance of recognizing and validating achievements without self-doubt. Listen Now!
"People with mental illness are constantly on the outside looking in. Always, always, always. Women in the 1970s, on the outside looking in. People of color, on the outside looking in. Being in environments where you are the only, you are one of the few. Any time you are in any of those kinds of categories, how could you not have imposter syndrome? If the world and society and the media and the way we portray people with bipolar disorder and all those things paint you in this one way, how could those things not creep into your psyche and affect how you see yourself and your ability to be successful?" ~Dr. Nicole Washington
To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit our official episode page.

Our Host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an A*****e and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author.
To learn more about Gabe, or book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @askabipolar.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
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