The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych Robert Duff, Ph.D.

Hello, friends! I hope you are all doing well.
 
Our first question comes from a listener who reached out to express their appreciation for the show, my course, and books. They share a childhood experience of being in a dodge car accident where they were hit from behind, resulting in a significant lump on their head and feelings of sickness and disorientation. They recently heard me speak about frontal lobe damage and its potential effects, which resonated with them. They also suspect they may be undiagnosed autistic. They are concerned about the possibility of having sustained a brain injury and whether an MRI at their current age (31) would reveal any long-term effects. This uncertainty has brought up feelings of betrayal and neglect. I provide insight into the likelihood of detecting an old brain injury on an MRI and offer guidance on the next steps to gain clarity and peace of mind.
 
Moving on to our second question, a listener in their late twenties shares their struggle with assessing whether to judge people based on how they treat others or solely on how they treat them. They describe ending relationships with men who exhibited disrespectful behavior towards other women, as well as navigating concerns about a close platonic female friend who has made questionable moral choices. They ponder whether to judge people based on their life choices or patterns, and if it's necessary to align values with others or accept them as they are. I delve into the complexities of these situations, emphasizing the importance of personal boundaries, unconditional positive regard, and self-reflection in determining how to approach relationships.
 
As always, I appreciate your support and engagement with the show. You can send your questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com, and find the show notes for this episode at http://duffthepsych.com/episode353.
 
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This episode is sponsored by Mindbloom, the leader in at-home ketamine treatment. If you are struggling with depression and anxiety, try ketamine treatment from the safety and comfort of your own home and get $100 off at http://mindbloom.com/duff with the code duff at checkout.

Hello, friends! It's been an interesting week for me, which I address at the start of the episode. From there, I share with you a previous episode of the show that I wanted to make sure that you've heard! This is all about staying focused. It's a great episode for anyone that might struggle with ADHD or simply has trouble concentrating from time to time. Here are the tips I cover:
Limit distractions
Adjust your space - physical and digital
Do NOT multitask
Practice mindfulness meditation frequently
Journal/Plan every day
Check your planner at least 3x per day
Set yourself up with an outline before leaving a task
Keep a notebook nearby for impulsive thoughts that can wait
Force yourself to prioritize
If you take it out, put it back
Don't procrastinate - if it takes less than a minute do it (unless you're in the middle of something else)
Keep a place for your small things
Make a mise en place for your workplaces
Use neutral inputs to satisfy your attention hunger (white noise etc)
Take breaks for movement
Abort when you're in to deep
Work in shifts
Don't use your partner as a coach
Use the solution that works, whether it's perfect or not
Study yourself
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Don't forget to take care of yourself, so that you can keep being a great support for others. Try online therapy and get 10% off your first month at http://betterhelp.com/duff
As always, you can send me questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the show notes for this episode at http://duffthepsych.com/episode352
 

Hello, friends! This is a short and sweet episode. No ads today, but I have two awesome listener questions. 
First, I tackle a question from someone that feels the end of their relationship is inevitable due to moving to another state and they are already struggling with feelings of grief.
The second question is from someone with a background of trauma that wants advice about how to deal with their friend's angry outbursts.
I hope you enjoy!
 
As always, you can send me questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the show notes for this episode at http://duffthepsych.com/episode351
 

Hello, friends! I hope you are all doing well. Special shout out to the moms out there this week! In this episode, I two awesome listener questions. 
Our first question comes from a listener who has been enjoying the podcast and requests an episode focused on "daddy issues." They express curiosity about the causes and potential solutions surrounding this concept. In response to this inquiry, we will delve into the complexities of "daddy issues," examining various contributing factors and discussing potential strategies for healing and personal development.
Moving on to our second question, a long-time listener writes in for the first time, sharing their ongoing struggle with severe social anxiety. They describe how their anxiety often leads to dissociation during conversations, causing them to make impulsive decisions to end interactions prematurely. Despite trying conventional treatments such as CBT, exposure therapy, medication, and group therapy, the listener feels disheartened by the lack of progress and wonders if there are other options available. We'll explore alternative approaches and offer insights on how to navigate social anxiety in a more empowering way.
As always, you can send me questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the show notes for this episode at http://duffthepsych.com/episode350
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Today's episode is brought to you by Mindbloom, the leader in at-home ketamine therapy for depression and anxiety. You can get $100 off your first treatment at http://mindbloom.com/duff with the code "duff". 

Hello, friends! In this episode, I answer two listener questions.
 
The first question is from a listener who has been with her boyfriend for over 10 years, but suspects he is a narcissist and compulsive liar. She believes that a car accident at 17, which resulted in physical injuries as well as a TBI, may have stunted his development. The listener is struggling with her boyfriend's lying behavior and wonders if he's lying about their relationship too. She asks how to deal with the lying and gaslighting, and how to tell if her boyfriend's love for her is genuine.
 
In the second question, a listener shares her concerns about her younger sister's emotional development, given their mother's unpredictable and intense reactions to normal child behavior. The listener worries about her sister's mental health and emotional growth, and wants her mother to be more gentle and understanding towards her. However, the listener is struggling with confronting her mother due to past fear of her reactions. She asks for advice on how to approach the situation.
 
As always, you can send your questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com, and find the show notes for this episode at http://duffthepsych.com/episode349.
 
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This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Don't lose yourself in the shuffle. Get linked up with a licensed therapist completely online and get 10% off your first month at http://betterhelp.com/duff 

Like most of the world, I have been obsessed with AI tools such as ChatGPT. However, I think they are more than a gimmick. I have been using them every single day to help improve my work and personal life. In this episode, I walk you through the ways that I use ChatGPT and other AI models and I also provide you with some ideas about how you can use them to improve your own life and mental health.
 
As always, you can send me questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the show notes for this episode at http://duffthepsych.com/episode348
 
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - if you are in a position where you put yourself last and other first, you may be at risk of burnout. Get the help and perspective that you need from a licensed professional at betterhelp.com/duff for 10% off.