talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast

Award-winning researcher ⁠Dr. Holly Swartz⁠ breaks down the "bipolar clock", and proposes a fresh approach to take charge of your bipolar symptoms by timing your light exposure, temperature, body position, eating, and social contact. Dr. Swartz also discusses the science behind social rhythm therapy (SRT) and Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), and presents a fresh approach to reset your biological body clock and take charge of your bipolar symptoms. (00:00) Introduction (00:13) About Dr. Holly Swartz (04:00) Circadian Rhythms Are Key for Bipolar Disorder (08:37) Advantages of Having a "Bipolar Clock"? (11:42) Light Disruptions, Season Changes, Blue Light (16:51) Create Consistent Routines (20:51) Time Your Eating, Body Position, Social Contact, Temperature (29:08) Track Your Social Rhythm Metric (SRM) (30:25) Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) (33:33) Social Rhythm Therapy Workbook for Bipolar Disorder (36:00) Strive for a Supranormal Routine

Learn more and share this episode: ⁠https://bipolarclock.com⁠ Dr. Holly A. Swartz is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and President of the International Society of Bipolar Disorders (ISBD). She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard College, medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and completed her psychiatric residency training at New York Hospital / Cornell University School of Medicine. Dr. Swartz’s research focuses on understanding and optimizing treatments for mood disorders. She is well known for her work evaluating Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) as treatments for depression and bipolar disorder. Her research focuses on the role of IPSRT and pharmacotherapy in the management of bipolar II depression and IPT in the management of maternal depression. She is engaged in collaborative projects to develop computational frameworks to model dyadic interpersonal behaviors in relation to psychotherapy process and outcomes and to understand neural correlates of change in chronotherapeutic behavioral interventions. Her research has been funded by the National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.

This episode is hosted by Dr. ⁠Erin Michalak⁠ and produced by Caden Poh.

#talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder.

Learn more about talkBD: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://talkBD.live

Over 2,400 years ago, Greek physician Hippocrates first detailed symptoms of "opposite" mood states - what we now understand as mania and depression. Throughout the Middle Ages and into the modern era, vivid descriptions of melancholy and euphoria continued to surface, drawing focus to a set of distinct symptoms that appeared to occur in cycles. In this special talkBD episode, psychiatrist Dr. Manuel Sánchez de Carmona dives through centuries of evidence to uncover the fascinating story of manic-depression - and how we've come to know the condition today as "bipolar disorder". (00:00) Introduction (01:54) Virginia Woolf Knew She Was Ill (03:58) Ancient Greece & Rome (09:22) 19th Century France & Germany (14:18) The Circular Pattern of Bipolar Disorder (18:52) The Modern Era (21:00) The Bipolar Spectrum (24:14) The DSM & History of Mixed Features (27:04) Today: Key Figures, Advocacy, World Bipolar Day (31:50) The Term "Bipolar Disorder" Is Inaccurate? (35:20) King George III & Life Charting (41:49) Learning from Your History People referenced Ancient & Classical: Hippocrates, Aristotle, Aretaeus of Cappadocia, Posidonius 19th Century: Jean-Pierre Falret, Jules Baillarger, Karl Kahlbaum, Emil Kraepelin, Vincent van Gogh, King George III Modern Era: Virginia Woolf, Karl Leonhard, Jules Angst, David Kupfer, Ellen Frank Today: Kurt Cobain, Carrie Fisher, Kanye West, Britney Spears Share this episode: http://bipolarhistory.com

Dr. Manuel Sánchez de Carmona is a member of the ISBD Board of Directors and works as an associate professor of Clinical Psychiatry for the Anahuac University in Mexico City, Mexico. He began his involvement with ISBD in 2008 as the founder of the ISBD Mexican Chapter and since then in key leadership roles: first as ISBD Secretary Treasurer and then as ISBD President, serving for two consecutive terms from March 2014 to December 2017. He was able to actively promote the Society and generate local chapters in several countries of Latin America, Asia, and Europe. He is passionate about providing education on bipolar disorders and using the Society as a game-changer in public mental health services. Since World Bipolar Day’s inception, he has been involved in its global promotion and making connections with experts with the lived experience to generate community awareness and fight stigma. Dr. Sanchez de Carmona has more than 30 years of clinical experience treating mood disorders and is interested in diagnosis, early detection, and providing quality of life to patients. This episode is hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak and produced by Caden Poh.

#talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder.

Learn more about talkBD: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://talkBD.live

Psychiatrist Dr. Joanna Jarecki shares a powerful story of living with bipolar disorder - from spiralling into depression to being taken to hospital in handcuffs during mania. Dr. Jarecki reveals how her experience with bipolar I disorder turned her to psychiatry to help others in their recovery journey, and delivers a heartfelt message of hope that living well with bipolar disorder is possible. Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak.

(00:00) Introduction (01:52) Growing Up & Early Signs (03:01) First Depressive Episode: "My World Was Ending" (08:14) Mania: Grandiosity & Delusions (10:52) Handcuffs & Hospitalization: "Fighting for My Life" (15:02) The Aftermath: Shame, Treatment & Rebuilding (21:49) Bipolar Disorder Made Me a Better Psychiatrist (26:43) Why Recovery Is Possible (30:58) What Psychiatrists Fail to Understand (37:57) "I Promise You, Things Will Get Better" (40:17) Thank Yous & Unconditional Acceptance

Dr. Joanna Jarecki is a Psychiatrist with interests in Mood Disorders, ADHD, Maternal/Peri-natal mental health, and physician health, and an Assistant Clinical Professor at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. Her clinical approach has been influenced by her own lived experience with Bipolar Disorder, Type I, and her journey of recovery. Through this journey, and witnessing the recoveries of many patients, she has learned that people with bipolar disorder can flourish and live a full and meaningful life. She is passionate about sharing her story with the intention that it gives hope to others living with BD.

More on this episode: https://talkBD.live/bipolar-psychiatrist

#talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder.

Learn more about talkBD: ⁠⁠⁠https://talkBD.live

A remarkable story of living with bipolar disorder: 36-year US Army retired combat veteran Maj. Gen. Gregg. F. Martin shares his experience of bipolar disorder after joining the army at 18, and how his symptoms remained hidden and undiagnosed despite alarming warning signs during multiple deployments and stages of his military career. Gregg Martin also details his route to recovery, bipolar disorder in his family, and his top strategies to live well with bipolar disorder. Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak.

(00:00) Intro (00:52) Joining the Army & Early Years (06:51) The Iraq War & Paranoia (11:22) Depression - "The Crash" (13:27) "The Real Mania" (16:45) How My Bipolar Symptoms Were Hidden (19:31) My Diagnosis Was Exposed (24:23) Rebuilding Relationships (Family & Friends) (28:12) Two Sons Also Have Bipolar Disorder (29:02) Reflecting on Misdiagnosis (34:12) "You Will Pull Out of This" (35:21) Message to Maggie (Wife) (37:35) Daily Wellness Routine (40:21) Bipolar General - The Book Gregg F. Martin PhD, is a 36-year Army combat veteran, bipolar survivor and thriver, and retired two-star general. A former president of the National Defense University, he has lived most of his life on the Bipolar Spectrum, and is a qualified Airborne-Ranger-Engineer and strategist, who holds degrees from West Point and MIT. An author, speaker, and mental health advocate, he lives with his wife in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Gregg's new book: “Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness”_ is available on Amazon (Hardcover/Kindle). The book is published by the US Naval Institute Press and endorsed by the Association of the US Army. For more information, visit https://generalgreggmartin.com

More on this episode: https://talkBD.live/bipolar-general

#talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder.

Learn more about talkBD: ⁠⁠https://talkBD.live

Author Sara Schley recounts her story of living with bipolar II disorder - from her first episode of depression in college, to publishing her memoir after keeping it a secret for over 40 years. Sara also breaks down why people with bipolar II disorder are commonly misdiagnosed, her upcoming film on bipolar disorder - BrainStorm, and the life lessons she practices to live well with bipolar disorder. Hosted by Dr. ⁠Erin Michalak⁠. (00:00) Intro
(01:23) Depression and the Early Years
(04:19) The "Family Disease"
(06:05) Misdiagnosing Bipolar II - "Why Am I Still Depressed?"
(12:05) Ways to Prevent Relapse
(14:21) Practice "PECS" to Stay Well
(21:26) 4 Ways to Support Someone with Bipolar Disorder
(27:00) Telling My Story After 40 Years - "Melting Off the Shame"
(30:11) Sara’s Memoir: BrainStorm
(32:35) BrainStorm the Film Sara Schley is the author of the acclaimed memoir, BrainStorm: From Broken to Blessed on the Bipolar Spectrum. She is a business consultant, speaker, and author who has led organizational transformations at renowned companies around the world. Sara is a mother, grandmother, community leader, and has been married to a great guy for twenty-six years. She also has a Bipolar II brain, on the Bipolar Spectrum. Sara has kept this mostly a secret for four decades. Until now. She is choosing to tell her riveting story – from broken to blessed – to save lives, end stigma, and optimize healing for millions. Sara is also a writer and producer of BrainStorm – an upcoming film inspired by her memoir. More on this episode: ⁠https://talkBD.live/bipolar-ii-disorder⁠

#talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about talkBD: ⁠https://talkBD.live

36-year US Army combat veteran Maj. Gen. Gregg. F. Martin and psychiatrist Dr. Manuel Sánchez de Carmona break down psychosis through their extensive lived and clinical expertise - delving into common triggers, treatment and medication, and psychotic symptoms including paranoid ideas, persecutory delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thought and behaviour. Gregg Martin also recounts harrowing psychotic episodes of "bipolar hell" during the Iraq War and through his service in the army, his route to recovery, rebuilding damaged relationships, and living well with bipolar disorder. Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak. (01:31) What Does Psychosis Look Like? (02:28) About Gregg Martin (06:54) About Dr. Manuel Sánchez de Carmona (09:13) My Psychosis Story: What Happened in Iraq (14:48) Psychosis Explained: What Is It? (17:47) Stress Triggered Gregg's Psychosis (21:58) Identifying & Blocking Paranoid Thoughts (25:41) Know Your Early Warning Signs (28:28) Must You Treat Mild Psychosis? (30:17) Medication, Therapy & Support (32:28) Gregg's 5Ps for Recovery (35:09) Manuel's Top Tips to Prevent Relapse (38:35) Losing Relationships: Forgiveness & Healing (47:08) A Message to Those Experiencing Psychosis (50:18) Gregg's Advice to His Younger Self Gregg F. Martin, PhD, is a 36-year Army combat veteran, bipolar survivor and thriver, and retired two-star general. A former president of the National Defense University, he has lived most of his life on the Bipolar Spectrum, and is a qualified Airborne-Ranger-Engineer and strategist, who holds degrees from West Point and MIT. An author, speaker, and mental health advocate, he lives with his wife in Cocoa Beach, Florida. His forthcoming book, _“Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness”_ is available on Amazon, and is being published by the US Naval Institute Press, and endorsed by the Association of the US Army. For more information, visit https://generalgreggmartin.com Dr. Manuel Sanchez de Carmona is a member of the ISBD Board of Directors and works as an associate professor of Clinical Psychiatry for the Anahuac University in Mexico City, Mexico. He began his involvement with ISBD in 2008 as the founder of the ISBD Mexican Chapter and since then in key leadership roles: first as ISBD Secretary Treasurer and then as ISBD President, serving for two consecutive terms from March 2014 to December 2017. He was able to actively promote the Society and generate local chapters in several countries of Latin America, Asia, and Europe. He is passionate about providing education on bipolar disorders and using the Society as a game-changer in public mental health services. Since World Bipolar Day’s inception, he has been involved in its global promotion and making connections with experts with the lived experience to generate community awareness and fight stigma. Dr. Sanchez de Carmona has more than 25 years of clinical experience treating mood disorders and is interested in diagnosis, early detection, and providing quality of life to patients. More on this episode: https://talkBD.live/living-with-psychosis Full credit and many thanks to ENR for Iraq War footage used in this episode. Watch ENR's full feature video for Gregg Martin's ENR Award of Excellence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xuo5qexC8IQ#talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about talkBD: https://talkBD.live

More on this episode: https://talkBD.live/sex

#talkBD⁠⁠⁠⁠ gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://talkBD.live

Neuropsychiatric geneticist Dr. Jehannine Austin offers a fascinating insight into “bipolar gene” and “bipolar jar”, genetic and environmental factors that increase the risk for bipolar disorder, the latest in genetic testing for bipolar disorder, and what you should know before having children as a parent with bipolar disorder.

Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak.

Dr. Jehannine Austin is the Executive director of the BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute and Professor in Psychiatry & Medical Genetics. Dr. Austin is a board-certified genetic counselor and their research work involves studying the impact of genetic counseling for people with bipolar disorder and psychiatric disorders, and their families. Dr. Austin heads the Translational Psychiatric Genetics Group which includes the world’s first specialist psychiatric genetic counselling service. Dr. Austin member of the College of the Royal Society of Canada, and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Dr. Austin’s work aims to make psychiatric genetics relevant to people with mental illness and their families by developing new counseling-based and biologically-based treatments.

More on this episode: https://talkBD.live/genetics

Translational Psychiatric Genetics Group (TPGG): https://bcchr.ca/TPGG

National Society of Genetic Counselors: https://nsgc.org

⁠#talkBD⁠⁠⁠ gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at ⁠⁠⁠https://talkBD.live

Psychedelics researcher Meghan DellaCrosse breaks down her research on psilocybin, the results from a new study looking at magic mushrooms use for bipolar disorder, the benefits and drawbacks of using psilocybin, and the future of psychedelics research for mental health.

Hosted by Dr. Emma Morton.

Meghan DellaCrosse is a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA. Following completion of pre-doctoral internship at Wexner Medical Center’s Early Psychosis Intervention Center at the Ohio State University (OSU) in June 2023, Meghan will begin a post-doctoral fellowship at the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education at the OSU College of Social Work. She has contributed to research and manuscript development as a part of the Translational Psychedelic Research (TrPR) Program at UCSF where she also worked as a clinical assessor on various studies including investigations of social deficits in Veterans with schizophrenia, and psilocybin as a novel treatment for depression and Parkinson’s disease. Meghan is passionate about interdisciplinary research and holds master’s degrees in clinical psychology from Columbia University, Teachers College (NY), and art history from CUNY Hunter College (NY). As a somatic educator and qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction instructor, Meghan’s research interests focus on novel treatments and the integration of the body into mental health care to support people with serious mental illness, as well as promoting mental health literacy and reducing stigma.

More on this episode: https://talkBD.live/psilocybin-research

#talkBD⁠⁠ gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at ⁠⁠https://talkBD.live

Communication researcher Dr. Bradford Bitterly and cognitive therapist Dr. Lisa O'Donnell tackle the reasons, considerations, and potential risks and benefits of disclosing your bipolar disorder diagnosis at the workplace and in personal relationships with friends and family. Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak.

Dr. Bradford Bitterly is an Assistant Professor of Management at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. His research focuses on communication during strategic disclosure interactions, such as negotiations and interviews. Dr. Lisa O’Donnell joined Wayne State University’s School of Social Work in 2017 as an Assistant Professor. She is dedicated to clinical and intervention research examining the nature of clinical and employment outcomes for mood and anxiety disorders, particularly bipolar disorder, as well as efforts to develop, refine, and implement evidence-based treatment. Lisa has been trained in various evidence-based treatments and has over 15 years of experience in delivering individual and group psychotherapy to adolescents, adults and families. She is certified as a cognitive therapist through the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research.

#talkBD⁠ gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at ⁠https://talkBD.live

A 31-year journey: Mental health writer Louise Dwerryhouse shares her remarkable story living with bipolar disorder. Louise revisits the events and lost years following her diagnosis, including years of battling depression, mania, and multiple hospitalizations. She also shares the most important factors and strategies she implemented to ultimately achieve stability, and offers advice to listeners who are also living with bipolar disorder. Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak.

Louise Dwerryhouse, a retired social worker, who worked in Canada and the UK, is an advocate, and mental health blogger on “lived experience” living in Vancouver, British Columbia. She was diagnosed with bipolar I disorder late in life, over 30 years ago at the age of thirty-five, and has been living well with the disorder for 10+ years. She writes to those alone, frightened and traumatized by volatile mood swings such as she had in her early days post-diagnosis. Louise tries to lead by example, by sharing her journey to recovery, showing it is possible to live well with the disorder. Her dream is to see a society centred on acceptance, inclusion and less stigma in her lifetime.

More on this episode: https://talkBD.live/my-bipolar-story

#talkBD⁠ gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at ⁠https://talkBD.live

Psychiatrist and clinical informaticist Dr. John Torous and mental health educator Victoria Maxwell speak on the role of online platforms and mental health apps in supporting mental health and bipolar disorder and how these technologies can be integrated into wellness and treatment plans.

Hosted by Dr. Emma Morton. 

Dr. John Torous is director of the digital psychiatry division, in the Department of Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a Harvard Medical School-affiliated teaching hospital, where he also serves as a staff psychiatrist and assistant professor. He has a background in electrical engineering and computer sciences and received an undergraduate degree in the field from UC Berkeley before attending medical school at UC San Diego. He completed his psychiatry residency, fellowship in clinical informatics, and master’s degree in biomedical informatics at Harvard. Dr. Torous is active in investigating the potential of mobile mental health technologies for psychiatry and has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles and 5 book chapters on the topic. He serves as editor-in-chief for JMIR Mental Health, web editor for JAMA Psychiatry, currently leads the American Psychiatric Association’s Health IT Committee, and is a senior member in IEEE.

Since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Dr. David Gard is a Professor of Psychology, Director of the Motivation and Emotion Research Lab, and the Coordinator of the Clinical Psychology Master’s Program. He received his Master’s degree in clinical psychology from San Francisco State University in 1996 and his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of California at Berkeley in 2005. He has been lecturing at San Francisco State University since 1997 and was hired full-time as an assistant professor at SFSU in the fall of 2005. His research interests are broadly in the area of emotion and motivation dysfunction in various mental health disorders including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. He also researches novel treatments in severe mental illness.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Dr. Thomas Richardson is a Clinical Psychologist working as an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology within the School of Psychology, University of Southampton. Thomas leads teaching about CBT for Bipolar Disorder on the CPT diploma and is actively involved in various research projects around Bipolar Disorder. Prior to this he worked for 8 years as a clinical psychologist in a community mental health team for adults within the UK National Health Service. He did his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Southampton, qualifying in 2013. His doctorate thesis looked at if tuition fees increases impacted on student mental health, which led to his ongoing study of finances and mental health. Dr. Richardson also has lived experience of bipolar disorder. 

Cara Lisette is a mental health advocate, author and therapist. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder aged 25 and since then has been actively campaigning to reduce stigma around the illness and raise awareness of signs and symptoms to look out for. She runs a successful blog (www.caras-corner.com) about her experiences with mental illness, and is also active on Twitter (@caralisette) and Instagram (@caralisette), where she shares more about her journey and about mental health in general. She has recently written a self help book for people with bipolar disorder which is due out in June 2023, after her self help book for people with eating disorders became a best-seller. She hopes that her knowledge as both a therapist and somebody with lived experience have come together to create a resource that will help people to understand themselves and their illness better.  

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Dr. Sheri Johnson is a professor of psychology at the University of California Berkeley, where she directs the Calm Program. Her work has been funded by the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Science Foundation, and the National Cancer Institute. She has published over 200 manuscripts, including publications in leading journals such as the Journal of Abnormal Psychology and the American Journal of Psychiatry. She is co-editor or co-author of five books, including Emotion and Psychopathology and a best-selling textbook on Abnormal Psychology (Wiley Press). She is a fellow for Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), the Association for Behavioral Medicine Research and the American Psychological Society.

Since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Dr. Manuel Sánchez de Carmona is a member of the ISBD Board of Directors and works as an associate professor of Clinical Psychiatry for the Anahuac University in Mexico City, Mexico. He began his involvement with ISBD in 2008 as the founder of the ISBD Mexican Chapter and since then in key leadership roles: first as ISBD Secretary Treasurer and then as ISBD President, serving for two consecutive terms from March 2014 to December 2017. He was able to actively promote the Society and generate local chapters in several countries of Latin America, Asia, and Europe. He is passionate about providing education on bipolar disorders and using the Society as a game-changer in public mental health services. Since World Bipolar Day’s inception, he has been involved in its global promotion and making connections with experts with the lived experience to generate community awareness and fight stigma. Dr. Sanchez de Carmona has more than 25 years of clinical experience treating mood disorders and is interested in diagnosis, early detection, and providing quality of life to patients.

Since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Award-winning Professor of Nutritional Psychiatry Professor Felice Jacka (Deakin University, Australia) and mental health educator Victoria Maxwell discuss the importance of nutrition for mental health, provide practical tips on how to improve nutrition, and answer questions on food and mood. Hosted by Dr. Emma Morton. 

Felice Jacka OAM is Professor of Nutritional Psychiatry, Director of the Food & Mood Centre at Deakin University, and founder and president of the International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research. Professor Jacka has been responsible for the development of the highly innovative field of ‘Nutritional Psychiatry’, establishing diet as a risk factor and treatment target for common mental disorders. The results of the studies she has led have been highly influential, being cited in more than 80 policy documents globally (e.g. WHO, UNICEF) and influencing clinical guidelines in psychiatry in Australia and elsewhere. She is widely recognized as international leader in the field of Nutritional Psychiatry research. She is an ISI Highly Cited Researcher (2020 and 2021), putting her in the top 0.1% of publishing scientists worldwide for impact. In 2021 she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her services to Nutritional Psychiatry.

Since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Director of the UBC Centre for Gambling Research Dr. Luke Clark (University of British Columbia) and clinical psychologist Dr. Thomas Richardson discuss the relationship between mental health and risk from gambling, research into bipolar disorder and impulsivity, and useful management strategies.

Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak.   

Dr. Luke Clark’s research focuses on the psychology and neuroscience of risky decision-making, with a specific interest in gambling behaviour. His research around mood disorders dates back to his PhD at the University of Oxford, where he studied state and trait aspects of cognitive function in bipolar disorder. He also works with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center on cognitive function in late-life suicidality. Prior to moving to Vancouver in 2014, he was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology in Cambridge, U.K. At UBC, he teaches an undergraduate course on intro psychology and a third-year course on Gambling and Decision Making. He supervises graduate students in the clinical and cognitive programs in the UBC Department of Psychology.

Dr. Thomas Richardson is a Clinical Psychologist working as an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology within the School of Psychology, University of Southampton. Thomas leads teaching about CBT for Bipolar Disorder on the CPT diploma and is actively involved in various research projects around Bipolar Disorder. Prior to this he worked for 8 years as a clinical psychologist in a community mental health team for adults within the UK National Health Service. He did his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Southampton, qualifying in 2013. His doctorate thesis looked at if tuition fees increases impacted on student mental health, which led to his ongoing study of finances and mental health. Dr. Richardson also has lived experience of bipolar disorder.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

CIHR Banting Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Emma Morton (University of British Columbia, Vancouver) and peer researcher Amir share tips for managing bipolar disorder. They’ll discuss mood monitoring and planning, and specific strategies for responding to mania and depression.

Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak.

Dr. Emma Morton is a CIHR Banting Postdoctoral Fellow at UBC Psychiatry. She completed her Ph.D. and training as a psychologist in 2018 at Swinburne University, Australia, and moved to Canada to join the CREST.BD team as an Institute of Mental Health Marshall Fellow in 2019. Emma’s research interests include quality of life, self-management strategies, and digital mental health tools for people living with mood disorders. She has clinical experience working in community mental health, early intervention, and hospital settings.

Amir is a recent graduate of UBC in a bachelors of science in cognitive systems where he focused on cognition and the brain. He is a peer researcher at CREST.BD and is starting his role as a peer mental health support worker at Foundry. As an individual with lived experience, he has been a researcher on UBC and UCSF’s joint project on investigating the use of Psilocybin in individuals with bipolar disorder.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

CIHR Banting Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Emma Morton (University of British Columbia, Vancouver) and mental health educator Victoria Maxwell provide an overview of bipolar disorder, explain the different diagnoses/symptoms, the mood episode triggers and warning signs to look out for, and ways to stay well. 

Hosted by Dr. Steven Barnes. 

Dr. Emma Morton is a CIHR Banting Postdoctoral Fellow at UBC Psychiatry. She completed her Ph.D. and training as a psychologist in 2018 at Swinburne University, Australia, and moved to Canada to join the CREST.BD team as an Institute of Mental Health Marshall Fellow in 2019. Emma’s research interests include quality of life, self-management strategies, and digital mental health tools for people living with mood disorders. She has clinical experience working in community mental health, early intervention, and hospital settings.

Since being diagnosed with BD, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Consultant psychiatrist Dr. Nigila Ravichandran (Institute of Mental Health, Singapore), and award-winning mental health educator and performer Victoria Maxwell discuss medications used for bipolar disorder, including side effects, information on specific medications, and how medications manage bipolar disorder symptoms like mania, depression, and psychosis.

Hosted by Dr. Emma Morton.  

Dr. Nigila Ravichandran is a Consultant Psychiatrist from Singapore with more than 20 years of experience in mental health in clinical, academic, and research fields. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and actively involved in teaching and mentoring junior medical and allied health staff. She has also been in volunteering and community work and is the Vice President of Club2Care, a charity organization geared towards educating the community at large and creating awareness about mental health. She regularly gets invited to give talks and training at community events, speak on television and radio and other media, speaks in webinars both in Singapore and internationally. She has been a Keynote Speaker and presenter in several international conferences.

Since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Dr. Josh Woolley is currently the principal investigator and director of UCSF’s Bonding and Attunement in Neuropsychiatric Disorders (BAND) Laboratory. The lab’s mission is to understand mechanisms of social connection among individuals with mental illness and to test new treatments. The BAND Lab studies psychedelics as novel therapeutics for multiple conditions, including bipolar disorder. He’s also the director of the translational psychedelic research program at UCSF.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Award-winning educator Dr. Steven Barnes (University of British Columbia, Vancouver) and Kaleidoscope President Tracy Windsor discuss various tips on how to do well as a student with mental health challenges. 

Hosted by Dr. Emma Morton.  

Dr. Steven J. Barnes is well-regarded for his work related to online learning technologies, student mental health and wellbeing, and bipolar disorder. Steven is deputy co-lead of the CREST.BD, a BD research and knowledge exchange network which received the 2018 CIHR Gold Leaf Prize for Patient Engagement, Canada’s most prestigious recognition for patient engagement in research across all health disciplines. Steven is the recipient of multiple institutional awards for his teaching, including the Killam Teaching Prize. He is also the recipient of the 3M National Teaching Fellowship, the top national award given for teaching in any discipline in any postsecondary institution in Canada. He is also an accomplished author, having published in the fields of epileptology, neurophysiology, student mental health, digital mental health, bipolar disorder, and behavioural neuroscience. He is the co-author of a prominent textbook for the field of behavioural neuroscience, Biopsychology 11th Edition (Pearson). Beyond being a prominent educator, researcher, and author, Steven is also an accomplished artist. He has produced myriad stop-motion animations, interactive and electronic artworks, oil paintings, and acrylic paintings.

Tracy Windsor was diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 1 with psychotic features at the end of her 2nd year of studying at SFU. This diagnosis completely changed the trajectory of Tracy’s life, as she spent the next few years in and out of hospital and learning how to improve her mental health. After attending some peer support groups, Tracy sought out more opportunities to get involved in peer-led initiatives, including the Kaleidoscope Mental Health Support Society. Tracy found a calling in social work, and after 13 years in total, she received a Bachelor of Social Work from UBC. She is now studying for her Master of Social Work through Dalhousie University’s distance education program.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Sleep expert and clinical psychologist Prof. Greg Murray (Swinburne University of Technology, Australia) and mental health educator Victoria Maxwell, discuss sleep-wake rhythms, and how routine in your life can stabilize your moods and symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Hosted by Dr. Emma Morton.

Professor Greg Murray is the Director of the Centre for Mental Health at Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia, professor in Psychological Sciences at Swinburne University, and a practicing clinical psychologist. His major research interest is the chronobiology of mood, especially the relationship between sleep, circadian function, and positive mood states, and he has over 100 publications in this area. He is ranked in the top 1% of researchers worldwide in each of these fields, and is recognised as a world expert in bipolar disorder (top 0.1%, Expertscape.com).

Since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Genetic counsellor Dr. Catriona Hippman (University of British Columbia, Vancouver), and mother of twins Keri Guelke discuss managing mental health during pregnancy/postpartum period, protective factors, and how pregnancy can affect bipolar disorder.

Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak.

Dr. Catriona Hippman is a mother of two boys, a certified genetic counsellor specializing in mental health, and a research fellow in reproductive and infant psychiatry at BC Children’s Hospital. Her doctoral work focused on how to support women in deciding on how to care for their mental health during pregnancy. In her fellowship, she has worked on an environmental scan of current infrastructure in support of perinatal mental health screening and care across Canada, a scoping review of the virtual delivery of interventions to support infant mental health, updates to the BC Reproductive Mental Health guidelines, and a Canadian guideline for perinatal mental health screening and care. In August, she will be starting a second fellowship with the University of Calgary and her work there will aim to elucidate strategies best suited to the Canadian context for the care of women experiencing acute postpartum mental illness, through parallel lines of both qualitative and quantitative inquiry into Canadian and international experiences. 

Keri Guelke is a mother of twins who was born, raised and currently lives in Vancouver, B.C. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 16. She has had three hospitalizations and five manic and depressive episodes. Keri has been working as an Outreach worker with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) for the last eleven years. She works with people who have been diagnosed with substance use disorder and/or a mental health disorder, HIV and are experiencing barriers to care. She has also worked with the Overdose Outreach Team. In the past few years, her work has included supporting pregnant women diagnosed with substance use disorder. She recently completed a Master of Public Policy and Social Administration: Social Change Leadership. She feels strongly about the need to change Canada’s drug laws.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Professor of Psychiatry and and founder of men's mental health project HeadsUpGuys Dr. John Ogrodniczuk (University of British Columbia), and Marek R., CREST.BD peer researcher, discuss mental health problems in men, the reasons why men chose not to get the help they need, and what can be done. 

Hosted by Dr. Emma Morton. 

Dr. John Ogrodniczuk is a Professor and Director of the Psychotherapy Program in the Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia. In his role as Director, he oversees the operations of North America’s 2nd largest medically based psychotherapy training program. His research has been supported by various provincial and national funding bodies, and has led to more than 250 scientific publications. In addition to his research, he is involved with teaching medical students and psychiatry residents, serves in various capacities with a number of scientific and clinical journals, and consults with mental health clinics about service provision and evaluation.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Mental health advocates Don Kattler and Victoria Maxwell explore how to take care of your home while living well with bipolar disorder. They discuss how the ability to care for your home can serve as warning signs for mood episodes and how depression, mania and hypomania can affect our homes in specific ways.

Hosted by Dr. Emma Morton. 

Don Kattler is currently Policy Analyst with the BC Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions (MMHA) on the Indigenous Partnerships and Wellness team. Don recently relocated back to Victoria, BC after spending the last eight years in Port Hardy, BC. Prior to joining MMHA, he spent the last five years with the Ministry of Children and Family Development as the Family Consultant for the BC Community Poverty Reduction Initiative. Previously, Don was with Island Health MHSU and has worked on ICM and ACT teams. In addition, Don managed several projects and programs on northern Vancouver Island, including the Housing First Initiative through the Sacred Wolf Friendship Centre. Don has also presented at The End of Poverty National Conference and the Canadian Rural and Remote Housing and Homelessness Symposium and was the recipient of the Camosun College’s Promising Alumni Award in 2018.

Since being diagnosed with BD, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Actress and host of the EmotionAL podcast Alessandra Torresani and mental health educator Victoria Maxwell discuss topics of resiliency and living with bipolar disorder, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. They talk about peer support, creating boundaries and practicing self-care. 

Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak. 

Alessandra Torresani is an actress, podcast host, and mental health advocate who lives well with bipolar disorder. Her television credits include appearances on American Horror Story, Caprica, and the immensely successful sitcom the Big Bang Theory as a recurring character. As a mental health advocate, she is an ambassador for the US-based National Alliance on Mental Health, and hosts the EmotionAL Support podcast, a funny, candid and highly-reviewed podcast where she brings on a guest to talk about mental health and to break through stigma. 

Since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Dr. Ivan Torres and Dr. Trisha Chakrabarty, professors in Psychiatry (University of British Columbia), and mental health educator Victoria Maxwell discuss how bipolar disorder may affect cognitive processes such as learning, thinking, focus and memory. They delve into topics like how bipolar symptoms can affect cognition, and how to integrate self-management strategies into your toolkit. 

Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak. 

Dr. Ivan Torres is currently a Clinical Associate Professor in the Psychiatry Department at UBC, and is affiliated with the BC Psychosis Program and the Mood Disorders Centre at UBC. In his primary clinical role, he serves as a clinical neuropsychologist within the BC Psychosis Program at UBC Hospital. His research interests include the study of cognitive and executive functioning in severe psychiatric disorders including Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. 

Dr. Trisha Chakrabarty is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia. Her research and clinical interests are in cognitive dysfunction, virtual reality cognitive retraining, bipolarity, and psychotherapy approaches for mood disorders. 

Since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Child-adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Benjamin Goldstein (University of Toronto), and patient collaborator Tera Armel discuss how exercise can be used as medicine in the treatment of bipolar disorder for youth.. 

Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak. 

Dr. Ben Goldstein is a child-adolescent psychiatrist and Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at the University of Toronto. He holds the RBC Investments Chair in Children’s Mental Health and Developmental Psychopathology at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, where he is Director of the Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder. Dr. Goldstein’s efforts focus on bipolar disorder in youth. His team seeks to generate insights regarding the link between bipolar disorder and cardiovascular disorders, and to identify and implement innovative prevention and treatment strategies that focus simultaneously on physical and mental health. Dr. Goldstein has authored over 200 scientific articles, and has received international awards for his research.

Tera Armel is a fifth year Life Sciences student at Queen’s University. Mental illness has impacted her life since she was a young child, but a mental health crisis in Grade 12 changed everything. She has since become a dedicated mental health advocate and feels that sharing her experiences provides her with a greater understanding of her own journey. She hopes she can empower others through her work as a Jack Talks speaker, President of the Jack.org Queen’s Chapter and Consumer Collaborator with the Centre for Youth Bipolar Disorder.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Thomas Richardson, and mental health educator and performer Victoria Maxwell discuss the topic of money in relation to bipolar disorder. They speak on how bipolar disorder can affect a person’s finances and ways to plan for and manage these events. 

Hosted by Dr. Emma Morton. 

Dr. Thomas Richardson is a Clinical Psychologist working as an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology within the School of Psychology, University of Southampton. Thomas leads teaching about CBT for Bipolar Disorder on the CPT diploma and is actively involved in various research projects around Bipolar Disorder. Prior to this he worked for 8 years as a clinical psychologist in a community mental health team for adults within the UK National Health Service. He did his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Southampton, qualifying in 2013. His doctorate thesis looked at if tuition fees increases impacted on student mental health, which led to his ongoing study of finances and mental health. Dr. Richardson also has lived experience of bipolar disorder.

Since being diagnosed with BD, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Dr. Elizabeth Tyler, a clinical psychologist and research fellow from Lancaster University, and mental health educator Victoria Maxwell discuss the aging well with bipolar disorder, including themes such as loss, transition, symptom changes, and relationships. 

Hosted by Dr. Emma Morton. 

Dr. Elizabeth Tyler is a National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) fellow and lecturer in mental health based at the Spectrum Centre for Mental Health. Elizabeth is a clinical psychologist with a particular interest in working with individuals with bipolar disorder. Her main research interests focus on developing evidence-based therapeutic interventions for individuals who have previously found it difficult to access psychological care. Elizabeth is currently leading a study that has adapted recovery-focused cognitive behavioural therapy for bipolar disorder to meet the needs of an older adult population.

Since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Dr. Lisa O’Donnell (Wayne State University) and mental health educator, speaker, and performer Victoria Maxwell discuss various topics around work and bipolar disorder. This includes returning to work after COVID-19, working from home, and establishing a work-life balance. 

Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak. 

Lisa O’Donnell joined Wayne State University’s School of Social Work in 2017 as an Assistant Professor. She is dedicated to clinical and intervention research examining the nature of clinical and employment outcomes for mood and anxiety disorders, particularly bipolar disorder, as well as efforts to develop, refine, and implement evidence-based treatment. Lisa has been trained in various evidence-based treatments and has over 15 years of experience in delivering individual and group psychotherapy to adolescents, adults, and families. She is certified as a cognitive therapist through the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy and Research.

Since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Mental health educator Victoria Maxwell speaks on depression in bipolar disorder and how to manage it during COVID-19 lockdown and isolation - including ways to disrupt depressive episodes through behavioural activation techniques.

Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak and Dr. Emma Morton.

Since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Professor. Greg Murray, co-director of CREST.BD and professor of Psychological Sciences at the Swinburne University, and mental health educator Victoria Maxwell discuss how bipolar disorder affects sleep, how altered sleep is a risk factor for mood episodes, and how you can maintain your sleep when schedules have been significantly adjusted. They discuss cognitive behavioural therapy, ways to maintain routines, and answer important questions about sleep.

Hosted by Dr. Emma Morton. 

Greg Murray is the Director of the Centre for Mental Health at Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia, professor in Psychological Sciences at Swinburne University, and a practicing clinical psychologist. His major research interest is the chronobiology of mood, especially the relationship between sleep, circadian function, and positive mood states, and he has over 100 publications in this area. He is ranked in the top 1% of researchers worldwide in each of these fields, and is recognised as a world expert in bipolar disorder (top 0.1%, Expertscape.com).

Since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Clinical psychologist and co-director of the Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research Professor Steven Jones (Lancaster University) and mental health educator Victoria Maxwell discuss substance abuse and bipolar disorder. They highlight the importance of accessing resources and services, recognizing triggers, and practicing self acceptance.

Hosted by Dr. Emma Morton.

Prof. Steven Jones' primary research interest has been, for over 15 years, the psychology and psychological treatment of bipolar disorder and related experiences. He has over 100 publications on the subject, mainly on the development of cognitive behavioural approaches for bipolar disorder and on psychological models around the development and recurrence of experiences of bipolar disorder. He is also Co-Director of the Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research at Lancaster University.

Since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Professor of Clinical Psychology Professor Fiona Lobban (Lancaster University) and mental health educator Victoria Maxwell discuss managing family relationships and bipolar disorder, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic - including how to cultivate a positive emotional atmosphere in the home, how to maintain healthy routines and how to make the most of social supports. 

Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak. 

Prof. Fiona Lobban specializes in improving psychosocial support for people affected by mental health problems and their families, with a focus on increasing accessibility to receive effective help. Dr. Lobban obtained her a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and a PhD at the University of Manchester. Since 2008, she has been Co-Director of the Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research at Lancaster University.

Since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Psychiatrist Dr. Rob Tarzwell (University of British Columbia) and mental health educator Victoria Maxwell discuss how to manage anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. They provide management strategies such as acknowledging your anxiety, engaging in physical activities, and creating a schedule for your day. 

Hosted by Dr. Erin Michalak

Dr. Rob Tarzwell is certified in both psychiatry and nuclear medicine by the Royal College of Physicians of Canada. His main clinical and research interest is the use of functional brain imaging in diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric disorders. He is interested in new media as a clinical teaching tool, and created the One Minute Medical School channel on YouTube to disseminate videos on medical topics for a general audience. Dr. Tarzwell is also a co-founder of Viewers Like You Productions, a Vancouver and Toronto based film and television production company. He is very interested in the use of technology to improve healthcare delivery, and he is a Medical Director of Psychiatry for Medeo, a telemedicine company linking doctors to patients via encrypted video.

Since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live

Award-winning mental health educator Victoria Maxwell, Dr. Emma Morton, and Dr. Erin Michalak share evidence-based strategies to help manage anxiety and mood, and support your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic.  

Since being diagnosed with BD, psychosis, and anxiety, Victoria Maxwell has become one of North America’s top speakers and educators on the lived experience of mental illness and recovery, dismantling stigma and returning to work after a psychiatric disorder. As a performer, her funny, powerful messages about mental wellness create lasting change in individuals and organizations. By sharing her story of mental illness and recovery she makes the uncomfortable comfortable, the confusing understandable. The Mental Health Commission of Canada named her keynote That’s Just Crazy Talk as one of the top anti-stigma interventions in the country.

#talkBD gathers researchers, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, and top bipolar disorder experts from around the world to discuss and answer the most important questions about living with bipolar disorder. Learn more about the talkBD Bipolar Disorder Podcast and upcoming episodes at https://talkBD.live