The Real Mental Health Podcast Ep. 8
Eating Disorders: Anorexia, Bulimia, & Binge Eating | Sarah Burney
In this crucial episode of the Real Mental Health podcast, Dr. Mike Mah welcomes certified eating disorder specialist Sarah Burney to shed light on the alarming increase in eating disorder cases. A 2020 Lancet Psychiatry study revealed a doubling of cases from 2000-2018, even before the pandemic hit.
Sarah and Dr. Mah provide an in-depth exploration of various eating disorders, including:
Defining Eating Disorders: Understanding the key differences between disordered eating and clinical eating disorders.
Anorexia Nervosa: A deep dive into restrictive and purging subtypes, underlying thought patterns, and the concept of "egosyntonic" behaviors.
Bulimia Nervosa: Exploring the cycle of binging and compensatory behaviors, and how it contrasts with anorexia.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Dispelling myths and clarifying the diagnostic criteria, including the role of impulsivity and "food noise."
ARFID & OSFED: Briefly touching on Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder and Otherwise Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders.
Eating Disorder Treatment: Discussing the essential role of a multidisciplinary team (therapists, dieticians, psychiatrists) and the challenges of treatment, especially concerning the perception of weight gain with medication.
GLP-1 Agonists (Ozempic, Wegovy): A critical discussion on their potential role in treating binge eating disorder and the dangers of misuse in other eating disorders.
Body Positivity Movement: Sarah and Dr. Mah offer a nuanced perspective on its intentions, its impact on self-image, and where it may fall short in addressing severe disordered eating.
Social Media's Influence: Examining how unrealistic beauty standards and constant exposure to curated images contribute to body image issues and eating disorders.
Parental Guidance: Practical advice for loved ones on how to approach conversations with someone struggling with an eating disorder, emphasizing compassion over judgment.
Full Recovery: Can true recovery from an eating disorder be achieved? Sarah shares her expertise and offers hope.
Join us for this insightful and compassionate conversation that aims to educate, destigmatize, and offer pathways to healing for those impacted by eating disorders. For more information about Sarah Burney and the Burney Therapy Group, visit www.BurneyTherapyGroup.com.
The Real Mental Health Podcast Ep. 7
Autism Spectrum: Diagnosis, Misconceptions & Strengths | Dr. Meghan Jain
In this eye-opening episode of Real Mental Health, Dr. Mike Mah welcomes child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Meghan Jain, an expert in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They dive deep into what autism is, how it's diagnosed and evaluated, and why it's so often missed, especially in women and girls.
Dr. Jain clarifies the DSM criteria for autism, explaining social communication differences and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior. You'll learn about masking, sensory sensitivities, and fixated interests, and how these present differently across various populations.
The doctors also tackle critical questions:
What does an autism evaluation entail for children and adults?
What are the latest statistics on autism prevalence, and why are diagnoses increasing?
What treatments are available, including medications like guanfacine and Abilify for managing irritability and agitation?
How does autism overlap with other conditions like ADHD and social anxiety?
Discover the incredible strengths and unique abilities often found in autistic individuals, including the concept of savant syndrome.
The episode also explores the neurodiversity movement, challenging the traditional view of autism as a "disorder" and promoting understanding and accommodation.
If you or a loved one are navigating an autism diagnosis, or simply want to learn more from trusted experts, this episode provides invaluable, evidence-based information to separate fact from fiction.
The Real Mental Health Podcast Ep. 6
ADHD vs Bipolar: Misdiagnosis, Medication, and the Truth About Psychiatric Evaluations | Dr. Pat Baumgart
In Episode 6 of the Real Mental Health podcast, Dr. Mike Mah is joined by psychiatrist Dr. Pat Baumgart to uncover the often-misunderstood realities of diagnosing ADHD and Bipolar Disorder. Together, they break down: The difference between ADHD and Bipolar symptoms. Why accurate diagnosis is crucial—and often overlooked. The truth about how psychiatric medications are prescribed. The role of clinical assessments vs. formal neuropsychiatric testing. What it's like working as boots-on-the-ground psychiatrists. This is a must-watch episode for anyone navigating mental health treatment, wondering if they’ve been misdiagnosed, or seeking clarity on their own psychiatric journey.
The Real Mental Health Podcast Ep. 5
Why You're Not Broken: How to Heal & Build Healthy Relationships | Kevin Nahai
In Episode 5 of the Real Mental Health podcast, Dr. Mike Mah sits down with life coach and psychotherapist Kevin Nahai to unpack the myths around mental health, relationships, and emotional healing. From the roots of trauma to navigating romantic dynamics in the age of dating apps, this powerful conversation dives into why people struggle to connect, how our past doesn’t define our future, and the teachable skills that build lasting, secure relationships. Whether you're single, dating, or in a committed partnership, this episode offers the insights you didn't know you needed — rooted in psychology, experience, and deep human empathy.
The Real Mental Health Podcast Ep. 4
Concierge Medicine, Testosterone, and NAD+ Supplements Explained | Dr. Daniel Benhuri
In this episode of Real Mental Health with Dr. Mike Mah, we sit down with Beverly Hills concierge internal medicine expert Dr. Daniel Benhuri for a wide-ranging conversation on health, hormones, and modern medicine. We break down what concierge medicine really is, and dive into hot topics like: – NAD+ and other trending supplements – Multivitamins: necessary or overhyped? – Diet & Fasting for better health – Understanding testosterone, what causes it to drop, and how to raise it naturally – Libido, PT 141, and what you need to know – The role of GLP-1 agonists and semaglutides in modern weight management Whether you're interested in optimizing your health or just curious about the latest medical trends, this episode is packed with insights from two leading doctors who break it all down in plain language.
The Real Mental Health Podcast Ep. 3
ISTDP: The Cutting Edge of Modern Psychotherapy | Dr. Michael Kanell
Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) is the powerful and cutting edge modern psychotherapy that uses structured, emotion-focused psychotherapy designed to help individuals overcome psychological distress by addressing unconscious emotional conflicts. It emphasizes an active approach to help patients make accelerated, drastic, and permanent changes in their lives. Today's guest is Dr. Michael Kanell. A double board certified Psychiatrist specializing in ISTDP. Listen along as Dr. Kanell and Dr. Mike Mah discuss how and why Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) is so effective. Delve into this interesting conversation on psychoanalysis, psychodynamics, depression, anxiety, common defenses, and more on this episode of Real Mental Health!
The Real Mental Health Podcast Ep. 2 Part 2
Dating with Anxiety, when Anxiety Can Be a GOOD Thing, & Trauma | Jeff Scott
Dating in today’s world comes with a unique set of challenges—social anxiety, the overwhelming choice of dating apps, and how past trauma shapes our relationships. But can anxiety actually be helpful?
Join Integrative Psychiatrist Dr. Mike Mah and RanMo Pro founder Jeff Scott as they dive deep into these topics on the Real Mental Health Podcast. They explore how anxiety can sometimes work in our favor, how trauma affects people differently, and the impact of modern dating on mental health.
The Real Mental Health Podcast Ep. 2 Part 1
Common Anxiety Medications, Social Anxiety, and Narcissism | Jeff Scott
What are the most common medications for anxiety, and how do they differ? Can social anxiety sabotage dating success? And how does someone develop narcissistic traits?
In this episode of the Real Mental Health Podcast, Integrative Psychiatrist Dr. Mike Mah and RanMo Pro founder Jeff Scott break down these important mental health topics. From understanding anxiety treatments to uncovering how social anxiety can lead to self-sabotaging behaviors in relationships, this conversation dives deep into the psychology behind it all.
The Real Mental Health Podcast Ep. 1
Facing Fear - Anxiety, OCD, and Trauma in Everyday Life and the Workplace | Jeff Scott
Real Mental Health with Dr. Mike Mah is your go-to podcast for insightful and relatable discussions on the realities of mental well-being. Hosted by Jeff and Dr. Mike Mah, a board-certified psychiatrist based in West Los Angeles, this podcast dives deep into topics that matter: anxiety in and out of the workplace, compulsive reassurance seeking, manifesting fear, impulsivity, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and trauma. This combines Dr. Mike's clinical expertise with Jeff’s grounded perspective to explore how these challenges affect daily life and relationships. Whether you're looking for practical advice, expert insights, or a deeper understanding of mental health, Real Mental Health delivers compassionate, evidence-based discussions with a touch of humor and humanity.