Look Again: Mental Illness Re-Examined
BC Schizophrenia Society
Recent Episodes
In the final episode of our World Schizophrenia Day series, we revisit a deeply personal episode of Look Again. Host Faydra Aldridge shares her family’s journey with Schizophrenia.
Before her sister, Carissa Lynn, was diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Faydra thought it was something that happened to others. In this powerful episode, Faydra is joined by her mother, Linda, and they revisit the challenges and heartbreaking moments of a family living with the realities of severe mental illness.
Follow Look Again to be notified when our show returns with new episodes. Until then, share your thoughts with us here. Leave a review so others can find our show.
Resources:
Learn more about BCSS Family Support Groups
Listen to the “Look Again: Mental Illness Re-Examined” episodes touching on anosognosia:
The Truth Behind Psychiatric Medication
Hearing Voices
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In this third episode of our World Schizophrenia Day series, we revisit eye-opening discussion about how our misconceptions of schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses can fuel the misunderstanding and stigma that people living with psychosis face.
While there's no way to predict whether a person with a mental illness will become violent, depictions in media, TV, and movies sometimes perpetuate a conception that they are unpredictably violent. But how accurate is this belief, and how does it affect those living with mental health conditions?
Dr. Rakesh Lamba, Medical Director at BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia, discusses how family and caretakers can assess risk factors.
Follow Look Agan to hear more informed discussions like this one that break down misconceptions and paint a more compassionate portrait of living with mental illness. Until then, share your thoughts with us here. Leave a review so others can find our show.
Resources:
Schizophrenia - Warning Signs of Violence
Dr. Rakesh Lamba’s bio
PHSA Forensic Psychiatric Services
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In this second episode of our World Schizophrenia Day series, we revisit a controversial debate.
Anti-psychotics like Abilify, Risperdal, and Clozapine are often used to help manage a person's symptoms of schizophrenia, including paranoia, delusions and hallucinations. However, there’s a movement that wants to shift mainstream thinking away from using medication to manage the symptoms of a serious mental illness. It encourages people to accept and live with the symptoms of severe mental illness, such as delusions and hallucinations.
To help us navigate this hot-button dilemma, we talk to a Look Again recurring guest, Dr. Diane McIntosh, Psychiatrist and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia.
Follow Look Again to listen to insightful conversations like this one that examine the treatment of severe mental illness. Until then, share your thoughts with us here. Leave a review so others can find our show.
Resources:
Dr. Diane McIntosh - Bio
Blindsided - Dr. Diane McIntosh's podcast
Antipsychotic Selection Is Important for Reduced Nonadherence in Schizophrenia
Look Again Season 1, Episode 5: The Truth Behind Psychiatric Medication
Anti-Psychotic Medication - CAMH
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Today is World Schizophrenia Day. Look Again is revisiting four of our most popular episodes. The first one in this revisited series is a conversation with former NHL goalie Corey Hirsch.
At 21, Corey Hirsch was living the dream: goalie for the silver-medal-winning Team Canada at the Olympics and Stanley Cup-winning New York Rangers. So, why was he contemplating suicide?
In this unfiltered conversation, Corey talks about his silent battle with mental illness, which included experiencing intrusive thoughts and severe depression. His story is a must-listen for understanding that mental illness struggles often go unseen, even for those in the spotlight. And that it is possible to emerge out of the dark corners of despair.
Follow Look Again to hear stories like this one that sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles of those living with mental illnesses. Until then, share your thoughts with us here. Leave a review so others can find our show.
Resources:
Suicide Crisis Hotline
CoreyHirsch.com
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Navigating post-secondary education is challenging, but for students living with psychosis, it can be an uphill battle. In this episode of Look Again: Mental Illness Re-examined, host Faydra Aldridge speaks with Anne Liao, who was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder during their university years. Anne shares their journey of resilience which started roughly 10-years ago at UBC, the barriers they faced, and the changes they hope to see in campus mental health resources. The episode also briefly features Dr. Kirby Humenik, Director of Counseling Services at UBC, who highlights the current supports and services available to students with serious mental illnesses.
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