

The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
Robert Duff, Ph.D.
Hey, friends! My name is Robert. I am a neuropsychologist and self-help author. In this podcast, I interview fascinating individuals and provide information about psychology, mental health, neuroscience, relationships, and more. I have been told that I ask amazing questions and that I am talented at breaking down complex science into digestible information. Come have a listen and let me know if you agree!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 1, 2022 • 46min
Episode 296: Constant Paranoid Thoughts & Dealing with a Toxic Workplace
Hello, all! This before I get into the questions this week, I talk a bit about my personal situation. Unfortunately, I had a breakup with a partner of mine and I share some of the realizations that I had in the process as well as my protocol for making it through this sort of hardship. After that, I jump into the following awesome listener questions: I have had bipolar I for a long time, but started getting a new symptom of paranoid thoughts over the past few years. Why might this be happening? My workplace and coworkers are toxic, but I am a non-confrontational person. What can I do about it? As always, you can send me your questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the show notes at http://duffthepsych.com/episode296 This episode is brought to you by Ana Luisa Jewelry and Policygenius Ana Luisa has amazing quality gold jewelry at affordable prices. Perfect for Mother's day or any time you want to spoil a loved one in your life (including yourself). Right now, Ana Luisa is doing a buy one, get one 40% off promotion. Check it out at https://shop.analuisa.com/duff Shopping for insurance can be a confusing nightmare, but with the licensed experts at Policygenius, it doesn't have to be quite as scary. They work for you, not the insurance companies, to help gather the best options at the best price points. Head over to http://policygenius.com and answer a few questions to get your free quotes today!

Mar 25, 2022 • 33min
Episode 295: Dating After Abuse & Healing from Cheating
Hello, friends! I hope that you are caring well for your hearts this week. It's wild out there. Here are the questions I cover in this week's episode: My history of sexual abuse makes dating complicated. How can I move forward? My husband cheated on me but doesn't want to do couples therapy. How can I stop resenting him? As always, you can send me your questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the show notes at http://duffthepsych.com/episode295 This episode of Hardcore Self Help is sponsored by Athletic Greens and Betterhelp. Athletic Greens simplifies your routine with nutritional supplements you need everyday. Containing a multivitamin, probiotics, immune support, adaptogens and more to support your gut, health, energy, immunity and healthy aging. Athletic Greens is giving listeners a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/duff. If you are in a mental health slump, consider reaching out to a licensed professional to help. BetterHelp has a large counselor network and you can begin chatting with someone very quickly. Check out betterhelp.com/duff to get 10% off your first month.

Mar 19, 2022 • 39min
Episode 294: Spouse Doesn't Want Help & Depressed About the World
Hey, everyone. I hope you're taking great care of yourselves. In this episode, I start with a moment of vulnerability about my life lately. That is followed by these two great questions sent in by listeners like yourself: My wife has had anxiety for years but does not want to get help for it. What can I do? I have a perfect life, but I remain depressed about the world. How can I cope? As always, you can send me your questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the show notes at http://duffthepsych.com/episode294 This episode of Hardcore Self Help is sponsored by Audible and Acorn TV. Audible is the leading provider of spoken-word entertainment all in one place, where you can find the largest selection of audiobooks. Sign up now by heading to audible.com/duff or text duff to 500-500, and receive your first 30 days for free. Acorn TV is a commercial-free streaming service that's rooted in British television. Escape to Britain and beyond without leaving your seat and try Acorn TV free for 30 days, by going to acorn.tv and using the promo code duff when you sign up!

Mar 11, 2022 • 47min
Episode 293: Therapist on Dating App & Cannabis Use Disorders
Hey, friends! I hope you're having a great week. This is a very interesting episode with the following questions: I am attracted to my therapist and saw her on a non-traditional dating app. When I brought this up, she refused to talk about it. What should I do? How should cannabis use disorders be handled when there are also mental health issues? As always, you can send me your questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the show notes at http://duffthepsych.com/episode293 This episode of Hardcore Self Help is sponsored by BetterHelp and MasterClass If you are in a mental health slump, consider reaching out to a licensed professional to help. BetterHelp has a large counselor network and you can begin chatting with someone very quickly. Check out betterhelp.com/duff to get 10% off your first month. MasterClass gives you the chance to learn from the world's best minds – anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace. Check it out now and get unlimited access to every MasterClass. and as a special offer for listeners, you get 15% off an annual membership! Go to masterclass.com/duff for 15% off MasterClass.

Mar 4, 2022 • 30min
Episode 292: Reacting to My Partner's Sexual Past
Hello, friends! This is a short and sweet episode where I answer the following question: I recently learned of my partner's previous threesome. I can't stop feeling disgust and anxiety from it, even though I know that's not fair. How can I deal with this? As always, you can send me your questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the show notes at http://duffthepsych.com/episode292 This episode is sponored by Athletic Greens. With Athletic Greens, all you need is one scoop per day in a glass of water to take in 75 high-quality vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Head over to athleticgreens.com/duff to get a free 1 year supply of vitamin D and 5 travel packs along with your first purchas!

Feb 25, 2022 • 42min
Episode 291: Teen Suicide Contagion & Trauma Dissociation
Hello, everyone! Pretty heavy episode this time. Nothing graphic, as usual, but I decided to tackle some tricky questions. Before hopping into the questions, I share a quick tip about managing the news cycle during this really intense time. Here are the questions covered: My kid's school had two people die by suicide this year. How can I talk to them about it and should we switch schools? I was abused as a child and have trouble remembering it without dissociating. What can I do? As always, you can send me questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the show notes at http://duffthepsych.com/episode291 This episode of Hardcore Self Help is sponsored by EveryPlate and BetterHelp EveryPlate delivers pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards right to your door, so you can spend less time prepping and cooking, and spend more time enjoying good food. Right now, you can try EveryPlate for just $1.79 per meal by going to everyplate.com and entering code duff179 at checkout. If you are in a mental health slump, consider reaching out to a licensed professional to help. BetterHelp has a large counselor network and you can begin chatting with someone very quickly. Check out betterhelp.com/duff to get 10% off your first month.

Feb 18, 2022 • 39min
Episode 290: Intrusive Thoughts of Harming Family & Ruminating About Therapy
Hello, friends! I hope you are all doing well. In this episode, I start off with a quick update about my experience so far on Lexapro (escitalopram), an SSRI medication for anxiety. After that, I jump straight into the following super interesting questions: I have OCD with intrusive thoughts about harming my loved ones. What can I do about this? I ruminate about therapy constantly, having imaginary conversations in my head. Is that bad? As always, you can send me your questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the show notes at http://duffthepsych.com/episode290 ---- This episode of Hardcore Self Help is sponsored by Acorn TV and Audible. Acorn TV is a commercial-free streaming service that's rooted in British television. Escape to Britain and beyond without leaving your seat and try Acorn TV free for 30 days, by going to acorn.tv and using the promo code duff when you sign up! Audible is the leading provider of spoken-word entertainment all in one place, where you can find the largest selection of audiobooks. Sign up now by heading to audible.com/duff or text duff to 500-500, and receive your first 30 days for free.

Feb 11, 2022 • 34min
Episode 289: Self-Disclosure in Therapy and Suicidality vs Intrusive Thoughts
Hey, all! Nice Q&A episode for you here. The second questions talks a bit about suicidality, but nothing too graphic. Very interesting stuff. Here's what I cover: How do you feel about therapists self-disclosing in therapy? Should I be concerned about my passive suicidal thoughts or are they just intrusive thoughts? As always, you can send me your questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the show notes at http://duffthepsych.com/episode289 This episode of Hardcore Self Help is sponsored by BetterHelp and MasterClass If you are in a mental health slump, consider reaching out to a licensed professional to help. BetterHelp has a large counselor network and you can begin chatting with someone very quickly. Check out betterhelp.com/duff to get 10% off your first month. MasterClass gives you the chance to learn from the world's best minds – anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace. Check it out now and get unlimited access to every MasterClass. and as a special offer for listeners, you get 15% off an annual membership! Go to masterclass.com/duff for 15% off MasterClass.

Feb 4, 2022 • 28min
Episode 288: Confidentiality for Minors & Physical vs Mental Issues
Hey, everyone. Short and sweet episode today featuring the following questions: I am a minor in therapy. What can my therapist share with my parents about self-harm? How can I tell the difference between a physical issue like hypothyroidism and a mental health issue like depression? As always, you can send me questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the show notes at http://duffthepsych.com/episode288 No sponsor this week, so please check out my recent book, 500 Journal Prompts!

Jan 28, 2022 • 40min
Episode 287: Doubting Your Own Trauma & ADHD Misdiagnosis
Hello, friends! This episode features two questions related to trauma. There is nothing violent or explicit described, but both questions do involve childhood abuse. Just be aware. Here is what is covered in this episode: I sometimes doubt that my trauma ever happened and use self-harm as a way to remind myself that it did. What can I do? I have several psychiatric disorders and my psychiatrist wants me to be evaluated for ADHD. How can I tell the difference between ADHD and symptoms caused by my other issues? As always, you can send me questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and find the show notes at http://duffthepsych.com/episode287 This episode of Hardcore Self Help is sponsored by Acorn TV. Acorn TV is a commercial-free streaming service that's rooted in British television. Escape to Britain and beyond without leaving your seat and try Acorn TV free for 30 days, by going to acorn.tv and using the promo code duff when you sign up!


