Advertise on podcast: I Have Issues - Psychology with Dr Mark Rackley

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of I Have Issues, Dr Mark Rackley is joined by mental health campaigner Ben West for a deeply personal conversation about grief, mental health and finding reasons to keep going. After losing his younger brother Sam to suicide, Ben became a passionate advocate for better mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Ben talks openly about Sam, the devastating impact of losing him, and how his own experience of grief has shaped the work he does today. Together, Ben and Dr Mark explore the importance of talking about mental health, the challenges of supporting someone who is struggling, and why meaningful change is still needed in how we understand and respond to mental health difficulties. It's an honest conversation about loss, love and hope, and about finding reasons to stay, even during life's darkest moments. This episode is dedicated to Sam. Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicide, bereavement and mental health difficulties. Please take care when listening. Need support? The topics discussed on this channel may sometimes bring up difficult thoughts, feelings or experiences. If anything raised in an episode has affected you, please consider speaking with your GP, a qualified mental health professional, or someone you trust. If you are in the UK and need urgent mental health support, you can call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. You can also contact: Samaritans — call 116 123, free, 24 hours a day. Shout — text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential 24/7 text support. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. If you are outside the UK, please contact your local emergency services, crisis support service, or a qualified healthcare professional in your country. The content on this channel is provided for general information and education and is not a substitute for individual psychological or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it.  Don't lose your mind. Find it.

Send us Fan Mail Panic attacks can feel terrifying — your heart races, your breathing changes, your body goes into alarm, and it can feel as though something is seriously wrong. In this episode, psychologist Dr Mark Rackley explains what is actually happening during a panic attack, why the body reacts so strongly, and why the experience can feel so overwhelming. He explores the cycle of panic, the role of fear and physical sensations, and how our thoughts can intensify what we are feeling. Most importantly, he looks at what can help — both in the moment and over time. If you experience panic attacks yourself, or you want to better understand someone who does, this episode will help make sense of what is happening and what you can do about it. We all have issues, so let’s talk about them. Need support? The topics discussed on this channel may sometimes bring up difficult thoughts, feelings or experiences. If anything raised in an episode has affected you, please consider speaking with your GP, a qualified mental health professional, or someone you trust. If you are in the UK and need urgent mental health support, you can call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. You can also contact: Samaritans — call 116 123, free, 24 hours a day. Shout — text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential 24/7 text support. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. If you are outside the UK, please contact your local emergency services, crisis support service, or a qualified healthcare professional in your country. The content on this channel is provided for general information and education and is not a substitute for individual psychological or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it.  Don't lose your mind. Find it.

Send us Fan Mail ADHD is not just about challenges to do with shifting attention or hyperactivity, there is so much more to it than that. In this episode I cover the A-Z of ADHD, talking about the major symptoms that occur when you are living with this and how they impact your life.  This list of course is not exhaustive, rather its a starting point to understanding and normalising the way ADHD behaves so that people living with ADHD can feel seen and validated.  I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it.  Don't lose your mind. Find it.

Send us Fan Mail Why is being a people-pleaser an issue? Why do people become people-pleasers? If you are a people-pleaser, what can you do about it? In this episode I tackle to issue of people-pleasing. Yes, it's nice to be nice and to do our best to make others happy, but this is not always good for our mental health. People-pleasing can leave you anxious, depressed and living a life that is making everyone else happy and the people-pleaser miserable. As ever, this podcast is all about hope and I provide hope if you are a people-pleaser on how you can free yourself from this issue.  I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it.  Don't lose your mind. Find it.

Send us Fan Mail What is indoctrination? Why do some people get indoctrinated into ideas and communities that are harmful? How would you know you were indoctrinated and what can you do? We live in a world now where our mind is bombarded with information that is trying to get us to think a certain way.  From religious, political and cultural ideas, our mind has the potential to be indoctrinated and it is a lot easier that you think for this to happen. Anyone of us can the potential to be indoctrinated and it can be a huge struggle to gain back your mind once it has been indoctrinated.  In this episode I tackle the issue of indoctrination and answer the above questions. As ever, the podcast is all about hope and I provide hope of how you can recover if you have been indoctrinated.  I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it.  Don't lose your mind. Find it.

Send us Fan Mail Why do we have an imagination? How can your imagination help or hinder you? Why can your imagination cause issues with your mental health? We all have an imagination which can provide us endless entertainment and fun. Especially when we are children, our imaginations can run riot and make life amazing! When we are adults, our imagination can still be fun. However, it can cause us mental health issues from phobias to chronic anxiety. How does your imagination cause this and what can you do? As ever, this podcast is all about hope and I will be providing psychological support if you are having issues with your imagination.  I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it.  Don't lose your mind. Find it.

Send us Fan Mail What is RSD? How is this symptom linked to ADHD? What can you do if you struggle with RSD? For many people with ADHD, RSD can be the main issue that they struggle with. RSD can cause intense emotional pain and make relationships a challenge to be in. Sadly, RSD can also lead to other difiiculties such as depression and lonliness. In this epiosde I deep dive into RSD and explain what it is and why it happens. As ever, this podcast is all about hope and I provide helpful insights into how you can live with RSD and thrive.  I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it.  Don't lose your mind. Find it.

Send us Fan Mail We are hardwired to cry - after all it's how we announce our arrival into the world. But there is more to crying than just tears, there's a physical and psychological effect.  Why do we cry? What happens in our mind and body when we cry? Why do some people see crying as a sign of weakness? This epiosde answers all these questions.  I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it.  Don't lose your mind. Find it.

Send us Fan Mail You may have had a favourite teddy, blanket or toy as a child that helped you feel secure and safe.  These are not just toys, we create relationships with them that are meaningful to us and give us a feeling of calm. We may think that these comfort teddy's are only needed when we are children, but that is not the case. In this episode, I talk to 24 year old Sid Batty, who has struggled with his mental health. Sid was a semi professional footballer whose career was cut short due to injury. He was diagnosed with OCD, Depression and Social Anxiety when he was 19. Sid has a cuddly toy called QUACK the duck, who became his comfort teddy. I talk to Sid about the story of his mental health and how QUACK became a part of his life and recovery.  As ever, this podcast is all about hope and Sid's story is full of hope about how he manages his mental health with the help of QUACK. I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it.  Don't lose your mind. Find it.

Send us Fan Mail What is the relationship between your gut and brain?  How do the gut and brain impact each other? What does this relationship have to do with your mental health?  In the latest episode of ' I Have Issues,' I discuss the the gut / brain relationship and how this important connection impacts your mental health.  In this episode I'm joined by Dr Miguel Mateas. He is a neuroscientist, applied microbiologist, and nutrition practitioner with a multifaceted career spanning over two decades.  As a researcher, clinician, author, and advocate, he has developed a unique expertise in neurodivergence, mental health, and the intricate world of the gut microbiome.  This comprehensive skill set has guided him through a remarkable journey across the diverse landscapes of science, biotechnology, and human experience.  I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it.  Don't lose your mind. Find it.

Send us Fan Mail Mental health researchers are very interested in the concept of RESILIENCE, why do some people seem have to more of this than others? Why do some people seem to go through awful experiences in life and cope differently to another person?  Can you learn resilience and if so, how would that work? In this episode I talk to James Elliott, a psychotherapist, resilience coach, ex British airborne forces, multiple world record holder, father, and author, with an MSc in War + Psychiatry.  James runs training and support for vulnerable veterans, and as a psychotherapist, works with veterans, prison leavers, and other vulnerable groups to help them cope with their challenges and find their way in life. He has written a bestselling book - "Think Yourself Resilient.” As ever, this podcast is about hope and James provides hope about how you too can beomce more resilent in your life.  I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it.  Don't lose your mind. Find it.

Send us Fan Mail Motherhood can be a rewarding but also challenging time in a woman’s life.  According to research conducted by The Mental Health Foundation UK, between 10% and 20% of women develop mental health problems during pregnancy or within a year of giving birth.  Motherhood can be additionally challenging if you have ADHD / Autism and are trying to parent children who are also neurodiverse.  In this episode, I talk to Laura Guckian. Laura has ADHD & Autism and is the mother to three neurodivergent children. Her journey through motherhood has had many challenges, including being hospitalised for two months with her mental health, after the birth of her first son. Laura now uses her experience to help other mums. She is an accredited life coach for mums, and runs her practice called Mind Mommy Coaching. She also runs The Village, an online community which has helped over 4,000 Moms achieve positive mental wellbeing. She also hosts the amazing ‘Momfessions’ podcast and her goal is to support other women through their motherhood journey. As ever, this podcast is all about hope and Laura provides hope for mothers who are dealing with similar issues.  I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it.  Don't lose your mind. Find it.

Send us Fan Mail The field of psychology and mental health is a diverse one and it covers all manner of treatments to support people who are struggling with their mental health. Music therapy is an established psychological clinical intervention, to help people whose lives have been affected by injury, illness or disability. Music therapists draw upon the innate qualities of music to support people of all ages and abilities and at all stages of life; from helping newborn babies develop healthy bonds with their parents, to offering vital, sensitive and compassionate palliative care at the end of life.  In this episode I to talk to Dr Shane Cassidy. Dr Shane is a senior music therapist and the founder of Neurolinks Clinic in Ireland, which provides music therapy for people who are living with a nuerological condition, their caregivers and famalies.  Dr Shane and I have a facinating chat about how music therapy effects the brain and how it it used to help people with all manner of neurological and psychological conditions.  You will never listen to music the same way again after listening to Dr Shane.  I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it.  Don't lose your mind. Find it.

Send us Fan Mail Post-Natal Depression effects 12% - 15% of women. Depression is likely to be under-recognised during pregnancy and postnatally.  Mental health problems are as common in the perinatal period as they are at other times of life.  In this epiosde I speak to Sarah Hoover about her new book,'The Motherload, A Memoir. Episodes from the Brink of Motherhood.'  This book is an honest and raw account of Sarah’s experience of living with postpartum depression. It’s also full of hope too about what recovery looks like and how healing happens. Sarah lives in New York with her husband Tom and their two children. She is an art historian, cultural critic and now a best-selling author.   Sarah and I have a terrific conversation about her book and life.  Please do share this episode with anyone who you feel mey benefit from this information.  I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it.  Don't lose your mind. Find it.

Send us Fan Mail If you think you may have ADHD and are undiagnosed, then making sense of this can be overwleming, confusing and challenging. In this episode I talk to Alex Partridge. If you are a regular listener to this podcast, I spoke with Alex in episode 39 about his ADHD Story. Aged just 21, Alex founded UNILAD and LADBible, social news sites which now have a following of 100 million people around the globe. Aged 34, he was diagnosed with ADHD. Alex is the host of  the award-winning ’ADHD Chatter’ podcast which has helped countless individuals make sense of their own ADHD diagnosis. His first book 'Now It All Makes Sense,'  is his story of ADHD and out now. His book is already a best-seller.  In this episode Alex and I talk about his incredible book and discuss how he made sense of his ADHD diagnosis. His book is filled with invaluable information about his life before his diagnosis and how he learned to live and thrive with ADHD. Alex's stroy is filled with hope and this episode is not only for people who may have ADHD or undiagnosed ADHD, but also for their family and friends. Alex's book is availble to buy now and I can't recommend it highly enough! I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it.  Don't lose your mind. Find it.