We are thrilled to be back, especially as we welcome a new guest and friend of the show: Ashley Pollak! Ash is generously giving us a unique insight into his mental health and route to recovery in the form of a fascinating set of audio diaries recorded by him during his recent struggles. This will be dissected by the good doctor Paul and the lumbering oaf Oliver! Fresh eps dropping in quick succession!

Season 4

S4 E0 - Season Teaser! Introducing Ashley Pollak

We are thrilled to be back, especially as we welcome a new guest and friend of the show: Ashley Pollak! Ash is generously giving us a unique insight into his mental health and route to recovery in the form of a fascinating set of audio diaries recorded by him during his recent struggles. This recording set the scene with Ash in a decent place, but questioning what will be the next step in his life...

S4 E1 - Setting the Scene

We are thrilled to be back, especially as we welcome a new guest and friend of the show: Ashley Pollak! Ash is generously giving us a unique insight into his mental health and route to recovery in the form of a fascinating set of audio diaries recorded by him during his recent struggles. This recording sees little anxieties creeping in to Ash's everyday thinking...

S4 E2 - Anxious Times

We are thrilled to be back, especially as we welcome a new guest and friend of the show: Ashley Pollak! Ash is generously giving us a unique insight into his mental health and route to recovery in the form of a fascinating set of audio diaries recorded by him during his recent struggles. This recording introduces more pressure on Ash with deadlines looming and a million things on his plate...

S4 E3 - Can't Switch Off

We are thrilled to be back, especially as we welcome a new guest and friend of the show: Ashley Pollak! Ash is generously giving us a unique insight into his mental health and route to recovery in the form of a fascinating set of audio diaries recorded by him during his recent struggles. This recording talks about some of the triggers which took their toll on Ash.

S4 E4 - The Trigger

We are thrilled to be back, especially as we welcome a new guest and friend of the show: Ashley Pollak! Ash is generously giving us a unique insight into his mental health and route to recovery in the form of a fascinating set of audio diaries recorded by him during his recent struggles. This recording talks about how Ash became incredibly creative and energetic during the high

S4 E5 - In The High

Some bits in this episode are hard to listen to as Ash struggles with an overwhelming down period. However, there are periods of light as he is able to carry on with daily tasks, although at a slower pace, whilst the love he has for his son and wife sustains him as he slowly returns to normality

S4 E6 - The Crash

There are quite a few audios with Ash and Pete to absorb during this period, as Ash starts to come through this difficult time and realise the effect his struggles have on those around him. This is a period of intense self reflection for Ash and he is sometimes very hard on himself but always attempts to be balanced yet optimistic.

S4 E7 - A Better Place

In this final episode Ash is looking back with Pete on the previous weeks of struggle, and trying to make sense of it all. Ash reflects with us on his changing attitude to work, family and financial security and we present some of the findings from this fascinating series. To play us out, Superstar DJ Doc K introduces some of the wonderful music Ash created at the height of his high. Enjoy! x

S4 E8 - Perspective

Extra bonus episode! It's three months down the line and Ash has being doing a lot of reflection on the impact his struggles have had on those closest to him, particularly Justine, his wife. Ash is starting to see the positive things he can take from this experience, but at the same time realising how a bipolar episode is hard, both for the sufferer and their immediate circle.

S4 Epilogue - Impact and Repair

An introduction to what to expect from this new Podcast "Why The Long Face?"

S1 E0 - Prologue

In the first of our series of chats on depression we cover the problem of stigma in our society, how this shows itself in attitudes and behaviour and how we can challenge it with a different way of thinking about the condition.

Depression is still seen as a sign of personal failure, as if the person who experienced this assault on one’s brain function, self-esteem and sense of self, has brought this upon themselves by giving in to unhelpful patterns of thinking. The stigma exacerbates the sense of guilt that it already part of the syndrome.

A better way to look at depression is to regard it as a biological reaction to prolonged and inescapable stress. It is an understandable reaction, a defence even. The corollary being the fever that may be incapacitating in the short term but is designed to fight off infection.

S1 E1 - Coming out

In our second episode we discuss the fundamentals of what depression is, and how it manifests itself beyond just sadness. In addition, we focus on how to distinguish a depressive episode from just feeling down.

S1 E2 - What is Depression?

In our fifth episode, the effectiveness of antidepressants is put to our resident Doctor and his answer is surprisingly blunt!  But what do they actually do? Why are there so many different forms? How do we know what works for different individuals? Tune in to find out >

S1 E5 - Do Antidepressants Work?

Teaser for Episode #6 - The story of loss, grief and depression

S1 E6 - Teaser - The story of loss, grief and depression

Teaser for Ep 7 - is depression more likely or different depending on gender?

S1 E7 - Teaser - The Gender Gap

Is depression more likely or different depending on gender?

S1 E7 - The Gender Gap

S1 E8 - Short Clip - Suicide & Assessing Risk

In this episode Paul and Oliver discuss the complex topic of suicide, how such thoughts can develop and the types of behaviour we should all be aware of spotting.

S1 E8 - Suicide & Assessing Risk

In the 9th episode of the season the discussion is focused on depression in men. From the pressures of society, ‘manliness’ and how men often hide their mental health vulnerabilities. Paul and Oliver also talk their latest (perhaps optimistic) weight loss goals.

S1 E9 - Depression in Men

Depression has been linked to creativity. But is that really true? Also can getting absorbed in a creative endeavor help people suffering from depression find something positive to distract them?

S1 Short Cuts: Depression and creativity

In the second of our end of season "Short cuts" we discuss the sometimes misunderstood condition, bipolar depression.  To help us describe this sometimes bewildering condition, we talk about one of our depressive heroes, Stephen Fry.

S1 Short Cuts: Bipolar depression and Stephen Fry

The idea of treating mental illness by subjecting the patient to shock of electricity through the brain seems utterly barbaric. And yet, when all other treatments have failed, should we try something which eases the suffering, even if we don't know  quite why? This topic certainly does not come with easy answers, so we try to give the facts and not judge. We'd love your thoughts.

S1 Short Cuts: ECT

Everyone knows what a narcissist is right? A big head? An alpha male / female? A selfish sociopath? In this ep we delve into its clinical meaning and find out some interesting ways in which narcissism and mental illness can be linked and explained...

S2 E1 - Donald Trump, and what makes a narcissist

There seems to be a groundswell of evidence supporting the idea that cannabidiol (a non-psychoactive ingredient of cannabis) can help with several mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. How does this bear up to scrutiny?

S2 E5 - The CBD craze - is cannabidiol a mental health panacea?

"On the spectrum" is a phrase often heard, but also often misunderstood. What spectrum are we talking about? Is it an official medical term? Is it the same as Aspergers? And what is a savant? etc. etc. All these questions and many many more are explored in our latest Ep.

S2 E8 - He's on the spectrum!

Does the way you were treated as a child in terms of intimacy with your primary care giver effect your close relationships in late life? There is a large amount of evidence suggesting it certainly does, and in this Ep we uncover the different types of adult "attachment style" and whether some can be problematic.

S2 E9 - Attachment styles and adult relationships

In the last episode of this season we talk about exercise, its positive effect on mood and how benefits can be long lasting to help ease or even prevent anxiety and depression. We explore questions such as "what are endorphins?" and "what is the 'runners' high'?" and "do I really have to go to a gym?"

S2 E10 - Exercising for mental health

We start Season 3 in a way we did not expect to, with our take on the Covid-19 crisis, with particular reference to how it might effect our mental heath and that of our friends in the caring professions. We have tips for coping with anxiety and casual musings on how this strange and unique time might change us as individuals and as a collective.

S3 E1 - Why the long pandemic?! Anxiety managment.

Well, it looks as though this isolation thing isn't going away any time soon, so Dr K has come up with a "Survival Kit" which the boys will talk through to help you through the worry, boredom and confusion which is weighing some of us down. There is good news amongst the advice as we get through this together and use the time to discover interesting things about ourselves and develop new skills.

S3 E2 - Why the long isolation? The survival kit.

In this very special ep, we have the pleasure of welcoming Mark Bradley to the mic. Mark has helped people all over the world who have suffered from acute stress reactions to highly traumatic events including the Boxing Day Tsunami and the war in Afghanistan. Paul and Oliver talk to him at length about how his experience can give valuable insight into how we can cope with the current crisis and come out stronger on the other side

S3 E3 - The hostile (COVID) environment, with Mark Bradley

A new Podcast shining a light on mental health.

A psychiatrist and a management consultant walk into a bar. This should be the start of the lamest joke ever but, it turns out to be origins of Why The Long Face? - a new Podcast where we hope to shine a light on our wonderful but all-too-frail human spirit. There are many threats to our mental wellbeing – biological, psychological and social – and we, informed by the latest science, shared experience and the contributions of guests and listeners, are going to kick their arses and save humanity…maybe.

In the first season, two old friends, Paul and Oliver, will be exploring some of the theories behind the causes of depression and will touch on topics that could help people who are suffering. This might well happen over the course of a drink or two.

Why The Long Face? Podcast

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