RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions

RECOVERable features conversations with top experts in mental health, addiction recovery, and emotional wellbeing. Each episode answers the internet’s most-asked questions about topics like anxiety, trauma, relapse, and self-growth, breaking them down into clear, relatable insights you can actually use. No jargon. No judgment. Just expert-backed guidance to help you understand and take control of your mental health.

RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions is a health podcast hosted by Recovery.com, with 41 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Recovery.com hosts RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions, a health show with 41 episodes published.

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  RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions

  DID Trauma Response: Why Dissociative Identity Disorder Is a Survival Skill

  Sep 3, 202653 min

  Is dissociative identity disorder wildly misunderstood? Discover how childhood trauma splits the mind into distinct alters as leading psychiatrist Dr. Colin Ross joins host Terry McGuire to separate medical facts from pop culture myths on RECOVERable. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ In Part 1 of this deep dive, world-renowned psychiatrist, author, and DID specialist Dr. Colin Ross—who served on the DSM-IV task force committee—unpacks the reality of Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder). From explaining how severe, inescapable childhood abuse triggers the brain's natural survival mechanisms to distinguishing genuine DID symptoms from viral social media trends, Dr. Ross delivers essential insights for trauma survivors, families, and clinicians. Together, host Terry McGuire and Dr. Ross explore how alter personalities function, what switching feels like internally, and why dissociation is a brilliant coping mechanism rather than a defect. You will discover how DID differs from schizophrenia and complex PTSD (C-PTSD), why alters can have unique ages or mannerisms, and how Internal Family Systems (IFS) overlaps with dissociative identity disorder therapy. Whether you are questioning a diagnosis or seeking to support someone with DID, this conversation offers clarity, empathy, and hope. Subscribe to RECOVERable, turn on notifications so you don't miss Part 2 on treatment and integration, and share your thoughts in the comments below! Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 02:08 – Myth or Fact: Quick Answers on DID 07:38 – What Is Dissociative Identity Disorder? 12:18 – Childhood Trauma as a Survival Skill 15:38 – Multiple Personality Misconceptions 21:21 – Real DID vs. Social Media Trends 23:50 – What Switching Alters Feels Like 29:22 – DID vs. Internal Family Systems (IFS) 31:54 – Misdiagnosis: DID vs. Schizophrenia 44:44 – The Path to Healing & Therapy Questions the Video Answers: What is the difference between DID and Multiple Personality Disorder? How does childhood trauma cause Dissociative Identity Disorder? Is Dissociative Identity Disorder the same thing as Schizophrenia? How common is Dissociative Identity Disorder in the general population? Can adults suddenly develop DID without childhood trauma? Are people with Dissociative Identity Disorder violent or dangerous? Is there a prescription medication that can cure DID? What does switching between alters feel like? Can alters have different ages, genders, or mannerisms? How can you distinguish real DID from someone faking it on social media? How does DID differ from Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy? What is the difference between complex PTSD and Dissociative Identity Disorder? Must all alters integrate into one personality for a person with DID to heal? Why do siblings exposed to the same traumatic environment develop different responses? #DissociativeIdentityDisorder #DID #TraumaRecovery

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  RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions

  ARFID: What It Is and Why It's Not Just Picky Eating

  Aug 20, 202659 min

  Is extreme picky eating actually a life-threatening eating disorder? In this episode of RECOVERable, host Terry McGuire sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Brad Smith to break down Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is far more than selective eating—it is a complex, recognized mental health condition that goes well beyond simple food preferences. Unlike anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, ARFID is not driven by body image, weight loss, or body size concerns. Instead, it stems from severe sensory sensitivities to food textures and smells, aversive trauma responses following a traumatic choking or vomiting episode, or a total lack of appetite and interest in eating. In this comprehensive guide, Dr. Brad Smith, an expert psychiatrist and medical leader at The Emily Program, clears up pervasive myths surrounding restrictive eating disorders. He explores the medical consequences of malnutrition, including severe cardiac arrhythmia, digestive slowdown, and brain fog, as well as the deep emotional and social isolation that living with food anxiety creates. We also examine the strong co-occurrence between ARFID, neurodivergence, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and ADHD. Learn how medical professionals diagnose ARFID, why multivitamins are not a substitute for complete food nutrition, when higher levels of care or an NG feeding tube become essential tools for medical stabilization, and how exposure therapy with response prevention (ERP) helps patients safely expand their diet. Whether you are a parent wondering if your child's picky eating has crossed the line, or an adult navigating severe food aversion, this episode provides actionable clarity and hope for full recovery. Subscribe to RECOVERable for more insights on mental health, addiction, and recovery support. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro: ARFID Myths vs. Facts 07:33 – What Is ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)? 08:52 – What Drives ARFID: Sensory, Trauma, & Low Appetite 12:51 – Is ARFID Just Extreme Picky Eating? 16:01 – When Do People Seek Treatment for ARFID? 20:12 – Physical, Emotional, & Social Impacts of ARFID 33:46 – What Is the Link Between ARFID, Autism, & ADHD? 36:31 – How Serious Is ARFID & Can It Be Fatal? 40:48 – When Is an NG Feeding Tube Necessary? 51:26 – What Does Professional ARFID Treatment Look Like? Questions the Video Answers: What is Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)? What is the difference between picky eating and ARFID? What are the three main types or driving factors of ARFID? Can adults develop ARFID or does it only affect children? Is ARFID caused by gentle parenting or spoiling a child? Do you have to be underweight to be diagnosed with ARFID? What physical health risks and heart complications are associated with ARFID? What is the connection between ARFID, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and ADHD? Does a child having ARFID mean they are automatically autistic? Can ARFID be fatal if left untreated? How does an NG feeding tube help in severe ARFID recovery? Can taking multivitamins cure or treat ARFID? How do medical clinicians diagnose ARFID? What is the difference between ARFID and Anorexia Nervosa? What therapy methods (like ERP) are used to treat ARFID? #ARFID #EatingDisorders #MentalHealth

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  RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions

  Complex PTSD Symptoms: Why You Feel Stuck in Relationships

  Aug 13, 202653 min

  Are you living in constant survival mode, hypervigilant in relationships, or wondering why safe environments feel uncomfortable? You might be living with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). In Part 2 of this deep dive on RECOVERable, host Terry McGuire sits down again with licensed clinical therapist and trauma expert Amanda Stretcher Lewis, MA, LPC-S, to explore how chronic relational trauma shapes the developing brain and nervous system. Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ Unlike single-event PTSD, complex PTSD stems from repeated interpersonal trauma, emotional neglect, or attachment wounds during childhood. In this episode, Amanda Stretcher Lewis—a trauma-informed therapist, supervisor, and co-founder of Crescent Counseling Dallas—explains why complex trauma leads to deep-seated feelings of shame, self-blame, and dissociation. Amanda breaks down why CPTSD is frequently misdiagnosed as depression, anxiety, BPD, or ADHD, and why it is currently omitted from the DSM-5 despite being recognized internationally in the ICD-11. Discover how somatic therapies like Brainspotting, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and the Safe and Sound Protocol help process trauma stored in the body beyond traditional talk therapy. Learn actionable tools to expand your window of tolerance, navigate relationship triggers, overcome trauma bonding, and step out of survival mode into genuine post-traumatic growth. Subscribe to RECOVERable for more expert mental health guidance, leave your thoughts in the comments, and share this video with anyone healing from childhood trauma! Chapters: 00:00 – PTSD vs. CPTSD 00:01:29 – Brain Development & Relational Trauma 00:06:13 – Childhood Validation & Internalized Shame 00:08:49 – Developmental Tasks & CPTSD Deficits 00:10:44 – Understanding Dissociation & Coping Mechanisms 00:15:29 – Relational Healing & Trauma Therapy 00:23:12 – Why Survivors Minimize Childhood Trauma 00:31:36 – Trauma Bonding & CPTSD Triggers 00:37:01 – Misdiagnosis & Why CPTSD Isn't in the DSM-5 00:45:10 – Somatic Therapies & Signs of Recovery Questions the Video Answers: What is the difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD (CPTSD)? How does childhood relational trauma affect brain development? Why do trauma survivors internalize shame and self-blame? What developmental milestones are missed due to childhood CPTSD? What is dissociation and how does it manifest in daily life? How does dissociation impact performance in high-stress jobs? How can you support a romantic partner living with CPTSD? What is trauma bonding and how does it affect relationships? What are common relational triggers for people with CPTSD? Why is CPTSD often misdiagnosed as depression, anxiety, or BPD? Why is Complex PTSD included in the ICD-11 but missing from the DSM-5? Can Complex PTSD be completely cured or healed? What are the best somatic therapies for complex trauma recovery? How do modalities like Brainspotting and EMDR help process trauma? What are the early signs that CPTSD healing is taking root? #CPTSD #ComplexPTSD #TraumaRecovery

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  RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions

  Childhood Trauma Signs of CPTSD: Are You Misdiagnosed With Depression?

  Aug 6, 202653 min

  Are you constantly living in survival mode without knowing why? You might be experiencing Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ In part one of this two-part series on RECOVERable, host Terry McGuire sits down with licensed clinical therapist and trauma expert Amanda Stretcher Lewis to deeply explore Complex PTSD (CPTSD). Unlike single-event PTSD, CPTSD often stems from chronic, repeated exposure to relational trauma, emotional neglect, or attachment injuries during critical stages of brain development. In this episode, Amanda breaks down why so many individuals spend years feeling broken, hypervigilant, or trapped in relentless people-pleasing without realizing their nervous system is responding to past wounds. We examine the core differences between PTSD and CPTSD, discuss why CPTSD is so frequently misdiagnosed as treatment-resistant depression or anxiety, and uncover how high-functioning individuals mask severe burnout. Amanda also sheds light on the protective nature of survival strategies, the impact of parentification, and why setting healthy boundaries can feel so intimidating after trauma. If you have ever felt like safe relationships are uncomfortable or that life is simply harder for you than others, this conversation offers essential clarity, validation, and actionable insight to help you move from self-blame to self-compassion. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss Part 2, and share this video with anyone who needs help understanding trauma. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:01:28 – Myth vs. Fact: CPTSD 00:06:41 – What Is Complex PTSD (CPTSD)? 00:08:45 – PTSD vs. CPTSD: Key Differences 00:15:39 – What Causes CPTSD & Relational Trauma? 00:19:43 – Signs and Symptoms of CPTSD 00:24:25 – People Pleasing and Setting Boundaries 00:28:18 – Is CPTSD Misdiagnosed as Depression? 00:32:25 – CPTSD in High-Functioning Individuals 00:46:15 – Adaptive Strategies & Survival Responses Questions the Video Answers: What is the difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD (CPTSD)? What causes Complex PTSD in adults and children? Can emotional neglect cause CPTSD without physical abuse? What are the most common signs and symptoms of CPTSD? Why do safe relationships feel threatening or uncomfortable after trauma? Is CPTSD frequently misdiagnosed as clinical depression? How does CPTSD show up in high-functioning individuals? Can you have CPTSD if you don't remember your childhood trauma? What is parentification and how does it cause relational trauma? Why does CPTSD cause chronic hypervigilance and survival mode? How does childhood trauma lead to adult people-pleasing? Why are boundaries so hard to set for trauma survivors? What are adaptive survival strategies in trauma recovery? #CPTSD #ComplexPTSD #TraumaRecovery

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  RECOVERable: Mental Health and Addiction Experts Answer Your Questions

  Psilocybin & Ibogaine: Can Psychedelics Cure Addiction?

  Jul 30, 20261h 3m

  Can psilocybin and ibogaine truly cure depression and addiction, or are the risks being ignored? Find mental health and addiction treatment near you: https://recovery.com/ In Part 2 of this episode of RECOVERable, host Terry McGuire sits down with clinical psychologist and research facilitator Dr. Chantelle Thomas, PhD, to explore the therapeutic potential, safety profiles, and common misconceptions surrounding psilocybin and ibogaine. Dr. Chantelle Thomas, a leading psychologist and researcher who has facilitated clinical trials at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, breaks down the emerging science behind psychedelic-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder, opioid use disorder, and severe trauma. Together, Terry McGuire and Dr. Thomas separate myth from fact regarding magic mushrooms, neurogenesis, dendritic growth, and the cardiotoxicity risks of ibogaine treatment. Dr. Thomas explains how psilocybin turns down predictive thinking and increases experiential engagement, helping individuals break free from rigid, limiting thought patterns. They also examine the critical distinction between recreational mushroom use at music festivals and structured clinical treatment protocols. Additionally, Dr. Thomas reveals why psychedelic integration and proper therapeutic preparation are vital, explaining how psychedelics can act as a powerful "gateway drug for therapy" rather than a standalone miracle cure. Whether you are curious about state-level legalization in Oregon, Colorado, and New Mexico, upcoming FDA approval timelines, or how non-ordinary states of consciousness facilitate personal transformation, this episode offers an essential, grounded perspective on the future of behavioral health and recovery. Subscribe for more deep dives into evidence-based mental health treatment! Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Psilocybin & Ibogaine 00:01:35 – Psychedelic Myths vs. Facts 00:06:35 – Neurogenesis & Brain Connectivity 00:10:00 – Psilocybin Clinical Trials & Research 00:18:00 – What Happens in Psilocybin Therapy? 00:23:15 – Why Psychedelic Integration Matters 00:33:15 – Risks, Benefits, & FDA Approval Timelines 00:48:50 – Ibogaine for Opioid Addiction 00:55:00 – Safety & Caution in Ibogaine Treatment 00:59:30 – Final Advice on Psychedelic Healing Questions the Video Answers: Is psilocybin therapy effective for major depressive disorder? How does ibogaine treat opioid addiction and withdrawal? Can you get permanently trapped in a bad psilocybin trip? What is the difference between recreational magic mushrooms and psilocybin therapy? Does psilocybin stimulate neurogenesis and create new neural pathways? What are the cardiotoxicity and heart risks associated with ibogaine? How close is psilocybin to receiving FDA approval? What is psychedelic integration and why is it necessary? Can a single dose of psilocybin or ibogaine cure addiction? Where is psilocybin therapy legally available in the United States? How does psilocybin alter brain network communication? What happens during an ibogaine life review experience? How should you prepare for psychedelic-assisted therapy? Why is traditional psychotherapy crucial before and after psychedelic treatment? #Psilocybin #PsychedelicTherapy #Ibogaine

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