Mindful Things: A Mental Health Podcast

Jenn talks to Dr. Roberto Olivardia about body dysmorphic disorder. They discuss common signs and symptoms as well as conditions that occur alongside BDD. Roberto provides insight into technology’s impact on our self-image, as well as ways to support loved ones who have a BDD diagnosis.
Roberto Olivardia, PhD, has been treating patients for the last 20 years since his internship at McLean Hospital. He runs a private practice in Lexington, Massachusetts, where he specializes in the treatment of body dysmorphic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, ADD/ADHD, skin picking disorder, and males with eating disorders. Dr. Olivardia also treats patients with other anxiety and mood disorders.
RELEVANT CONTENT:
– More about the episode: mclean.link/5v0
– Read the episode transcript: mclean.link/osa
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The McLean Hospital podcast Mindful Things is intended to provide general information and to help listeners learn about mental health, educational opportunities, and research initiatives. This podcast is not an attempt to practice medicine or to provide specific medical advice.
© 2022 McLean Hospital. All Rights Reserved.

Jenn talks to Patricia Mangones, PMHNP-BC. They discuss the complexities of psychological trauma and PTSD, signs and symptoms of these conditions, and ways to help navigate emotionally traumatic experiences.
Patricia Mangones, PMHNP-BC, is a nurse practitioner at McLean Hospital’s Hill Center for Women, where she works on a multidisciplinary team. She provides trauma-informed medication management in individual treatment and facilitates dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and skills-based PTSD groups.
RELEVANT CONTENT:
– More about the episode: mclean.link/14l
– Read the episode transcript: mclean.link/jm9
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The McLean Hospital podcast Mindful Things is intended to provide general information and to help listeners learn about mental health, educational opportunities, and research initiatives. This podcast is not an attempt to practice medicine or to provide specific medical advice.
© 2021 McLean Hospital. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode, Trevor is joined by Rick Wolthusen, MD, founder and co-director of On the Move e.V. This non-governmental organization is focused on building mental health infrastructure in communities where it often does not exist.
Rick shares with us how mental health is misunderstood in Africa. Misconceptions surrounding mental health in Sub-Saharan Africa include that witchcraft is thought, more commonly than most would anticipate, to be the cause of brain-based illnesses.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
– Rick explains how he got involved in mental health in Africa, specifically in Ghana and Kenya (17:08)
– Rick talks about the effects of Western television on international audiences (33:05)
– Rick discusses his motivation to study public policy and mental health at Harvard Kennedy School (41:12)
RELEVANT CONTENT:
– On The Move e.V.: mclean.link/f5g
– Home of Brains Ghana: mclean.link/tkw
– Home of Brains Kenya: mclean.link/2fk
– Obuongo Edhano, a documentary about Rick’s work: mclean.link/fq2
Read the episode transcript: mclean.link/95k
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The McLean Hospital podcast Mindful Things is intended to provide general information and to help listeners learn about mental health, educational opportunities and research initiatives. This podcast is not an attempt to practice medicine or to provide specific medical advice.
© 2019 McLean Hospital. All Rights Reserved.

From the outside, Robert Oxnam (19:51) had it all. He was successful in high school and college, earned a PhD, had a thriving career, and was married with two children. What was completely hidden from everyone was the inner torment he was experiencing.
In 1990, Robert was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID), a condition associated with post-traumatic stress due to severe physical, sexual, or emotional abuse during early childhood.
Robert and Trevor discuss his initial denial of his diagnosis and how over time, Robert came to realize that his eleven identity states could interact to overcome the painful memories of his childhood abuse—from being held over a pot of boiling water to being locked in an icebox.
Robert turned to art-making as a creative outlet and now is a successful sculptor, painter, photographer, and author. Robert also speaks openly about his illness and the abuse that caused it, hoping to inspire others to feel as if they are not alone.
RELEVANT CONTENT:
– Robert Oxnam’s story: mclean.link/u6h
– The Secret and Life-Changing Impact of Early Childhood Abuse: Dissociative Identity Disorder: mclean.link/x1y
– “A Fractured Mind” by Robert Oxnam: mclean.link/dti
Read the episode transcript: mclean.link/8k7
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The McLean Hospital podcast Mindful Things is intended to provide general information and to help listeners learn about mental health, educational opportunities, and research initiatives. This podcast is not an attempt to practice medicine or to provide specific medical advice.
© 2019 McLean Hospital. All Rights Reserved.

Jeff talks to Dr. Brent Forester about dementia and other cognitive disorders that are often found in older populations. They discuss the basics of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, how to navigate treatment and support a loved one living with these conditions, and some of the current research going into the future of dementia care.
Brent Forester, MD, MSc, has served as the chief of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at McLean Hospital and medical director for Dementia Care and Behavioral & Mental Health Population Health Management for Mass General Brigham. His research has focused on novel treatment approaches to manage the disabling behavioral complications of dementia, such as agitation and aggression.
RELEVANT CONTENT:
– More about the episode: https://mclean.link/th7
– Read the episode transcript: https://mclean.link/o67
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The McLean Hospital podcast Mindful Things is intended to provide general information and to help listeners learn about mental health, educational opportunities, and research initiatives. This podcast is not an attempt to practice medicine or to provide specific medical advice.
© 2023 McLean Hospital. All Rights Reserved.