Podcasts are an easy (and usually free) way to stay on top of what’s new across a wide variety of topics — they’re kind of like internet radio on demand, and usually broken up into episodes that you can download on your computer, device or phone.
Below, we rounded up 9 podcasts focused on mental health that are worth checking out. While podcasts can act as complements to your mental health care plan, they’re not intended to be a substitute for therapy or medication.
The New York Times described this podcast as a “a safe place in which he [the host] and his guests talk about their fears, addictions and traumatic childhoods.” This is a weekly podcast that features interviews with people from all walks of life and explores mental illness, trauma, addiction and negative thinking.
This weekly podcast takes an in-depth look at topics related to psychology and mental health. Hosts Gabe Howard and Vincent M. Wales discuss everything from online counseling and the toll of texting to dealing with narcissistic coworkers and more.
The Hilarious World of Depression
This podcast aims to tackle the topic of depression with humor. Hosted by veteran radio host John Moe, the show features a variety of guests, like author John Green and comedian Russell Brand, who discuss their experience dealing with depression — while adding in a few laughs.
This anxiety-relief podcast has been downloaded more than 4 million times. It features anxiety release exercises and actionable tools to help listeners “slay” their anxiety. Along with anxiety relief tips, co-hosts Shann Vander Leek and Ananga Sivyer also discuss topics like unwelcome thoughts, life-altering transitions, triggers and more.
Hosted by former professional tennis player Dennis Simsek, this podcast discusses life with stress and anxiety. Simsek, who’s had first-hand experience living with anxiety, shares what he’s learned and offers various options that listeners can explore to help manage their mental health.
Co-hosts Ellen Scott and Yvette Caster explore some of the weird thoughts we have by chatting to a mystery guest each week. They cover a range of topics across a variety of mental health conditions, and their candid discussions make for interesting listening.
“The Struggle Bus is an advice show about mental health, self-care, and just getting through the damn day.” Co-hosts Katherine Heller and Sally Tamarkin answer listener-submitted questions about friends, family, work, mental health, love and just about everything in between.
This podcast is hosted by two friends who say their show is “about how other people keep themselves moving in the right direction – how they feed their good wolf.” On the show, they cover topics like the effects of consumer culture, self-criticism and addiction.
Host Joel Kutz describes his podcast as a “shame-free space where people talk about their struggles, difficult memories and what it’s like to live with mental illness.” Guests, sometimes listeners, share their experiences with mental illness and what they do to manage.
Have you listened to any podcasts that we missed here? Share your favorites in the comments.
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Although a very flat and easy trail, my legs didn’t take me very far. As soon as I noticed my gait changing, I turned back. A rather predictably-unpredictable symptom of my MS related bladder problems is bladder urgency. The word is self-describing. Urinating suddenly becomes urgent. I may not have a full bladder, yet without warning, it must be emptied. Sometimes this results in a little bit of leakage. Thankfully, I’ve always been able to locate a restroom before my bladder decides to empty prematurely. Until this day.
How did I not know?
Nobody told me that somehow the weakness in my legs, which grew with each step, would also somehow impact my ability to hold my bladder. Duh, “lower extremity weakness” might include those parts below the belt too, not just my legs. Here I was, growing fatigued to the point of limping, trying to speed walk and creating constant tripping hazards – my own feet. For the first time, I felt complete bladder incontinence. The external sphincter outside my bladder, which I had depended on for nearly 40 years, and assumed I had ultimate control over, decided that today was the day it was the boss of me. Alone, no restroom in sight, and, before I could even consider my plight, urine fell out of me like it wasn’t even mine. Like it was being poured from another source. Zero control. I couldn’t stop it, I couldn’t hide it, and I couldn’t even continue walking forward. I instinctively used all the tricks I’ve used in the past to control the situation, but I failed. The more I tried to hold it, the more I realized I must surrender to what is happening. My dog, unaffected by what was happening, stood beautifully still. Unbeknownst to her, she became my shield. From what? I don’t know. Myself maybe. This truth maybe.
When I felt the sensation pass, I pressed forward to get to my car as soon as I could. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I processed what was happening: “I just peed all over myself from the waste down – pants, socks, shoes, and now I can’t even walk quickly to get back to my car, I’m hobbling at a snail’s pace. God, don’t let anyone see me. God, help me get to my car.”
It was a miracle no one was on the trail that day. It was a miracle I wore black leggings instead of shorts. It was a miracle my dog sensed that I needed this makeshift harness more than ever. It’s a miracle that I drag myself out of the basement of my humiliation every day and continue to keep on going, keep on trying.
Clearly, I survived, and this day is behind me, but the issue of incontinence isn’t. I live every day this way, on the border of “Can I make it? Should I leave the house now or wait ten minutes?” And always, my MS superpowers are paying attention to where each and every bathroom is. Leakage, well they make something for that. Complete emptying in public, I’ve never had to consider what those options might be. And for the curious, yes, I’ve had some very close calls with bowel movements as well.
There are many solutions offered to those of us who live this way. I’ve found some work better than others. I thought since the experts form helpful lists, I myself as a self-titled expert, would do the same.
These are some tricks that work for me:
This symptom can be very isolating. I don’t know another human being who can share in this experience with me. And that’s my hope in sharing with all of you. Even if it feels that way, we aren’t alone, and we need to offer our experiences and our tips to a community struggling to feel less alone in our disease.
Can you relate? PatientsLikeMe members are sharing how they cope with incontinence in the MS forum. Check out what they’re saying and chime in with your own tips.