Inside Bipolar

The mental health system can feel confusing, frustrating, and sometimes downright impossible to navigate—especially when you live with bipolar disorder. But what if the problem isn't that the system is “broken,” what if it was simply designed for something different?

In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar) and Dr. Nicole Washington take an honest look at how the mental health system works, from emergency rooms and psychiatric hospitalization to outpatient care, insurance limitations, medication management, and the lack of community support after hospitalization. They explain why understanding the system can help people with bipolar disorder set more realistic expectations and find ways to work within its limitations.

Listeners Will Learn:

· How the mental health system was designed – and how to better navigate it

· How an advocate can help you be heard during a crisis

· How to set more realistic expectations for treatment

· Where patients and families can use their voices to advocate for change

Most importantly, this episode isn't about blaming patients, doctors, or caregivers. It's about understanding how the system actually works, recognizing where you have power, and learning how to use your voice when you need care most. You may not be able to change the entire system, but you can learn to navigate it, prepare for its limitations, and advocate for better care. Understanding the system is the first step toward changing your experience within it. Listen now.

“The mental health system isn't broken. It's designed this way. So how do you navigate it?” ~Gabe Howard, Host

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldn’t be any of those things today if he hadn’t been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health America’s Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero.”

Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

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Obsessive thoughts and chronic worry can make it difficult to relax, sleep, enjoy relationships, or even stay present in everyday life. But what does it actually mean when someone says they’re having “obsessive thoughts,” and what can they do to break the cycle?

In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar) and Dr. Nicole Washington explore the difference between everyday worry, excessive worry, and intrusive thoughts — and why that distinction matters when seeking help and choosing coping skills.

Together, they share practical strategies for getting out of the “roundabout of worry,” including coping skills like cognitive diffusion, reframing catastrophic thoughts, and thought postponement. Gabe also explains how he has used these strategies in his own life and how they helped him lead a more well-balanced life.

Listeners will learn:

why thoughts can feel true without being facts

why making a “plan B” can reduce catastrophic thinking

how to use the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique to reduce worry

You don’t have to believe every thought your brain produces. Learning to step back from worry, focusing on what you can control, and redirecting your attention can help break the cycle. Listen now to learn practical strategies for managing obsessive thoughts and worry with bipolar disorder.

Pull Quote:

“Just because I think it doesn't mean it's true.” ~Gabe Howard, Host

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldn’t be any of those things today if he hadn’t been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health America’s Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero.”

Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how we search for information, make decisions, and even seek mental health support. But can AI therapy safely help people living with bipolar disorder?

In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar) and Dr. Nicole Washington explore the potential benefits and risks of using artificial intelligence for bipolar management. They discuss why people may trust AI more than doctors or therapists, what can happen when an AI chatbot validates thoughts that should instead raise a red flag, and whether AI can recognize dangerous symptoms of mania, depression, psychosis, or suicidality.

The conversation isn't entirely negative. AI could help reduce clinician burnout, analyze patterns in mental health data, identify potential mood changes, and give people useful ideas for sleep, routines, motivation, and self-care.

Listeners will learn:

how artificial intelligence can help — and harm — people with bipolar disorder

why human mental health care still matters

how to use AI safely and protect your mental health

So where should people with bipolar disorder draw the line? Gabe and Dr. Nicole discuss the promise, risks, profit motive, and safeguards that are still needed before AI becomes a trusted part of mental health care.

Pull Quote:

“AI thinks really quick. So every rabbit hole I jump down follows me right along. For mania? It’s gas on a fire.” — Gabe Howard, host

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldn’t be any of those things today if he hadn’t been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health America’s Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero.”

Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

Many people wonder whether their bipolar diagnosis is correct. Maybe your symptoms don't match what you've learned. Maybe other circumstances — like trauma or substance use — better explain what you've experienced. Or maybe you've simply never felt confident that bipolar disorder is the accurate diagnosis. Where do you go from here?

In this episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar, and board certified psychiatrist Dr. Nicole Washington explain why diagnosing bipolar disorder is rarely straightforward, what psychiatrists actually look for during a psychiatric evaluation, and why getting a second opinion is often a thoughtful step and not an act of denial.

You'll also learn why diagnosis isn't based on a single appointment, why honest conversations about symptoms and substance use matter, and how confirmation bias and other systemic issues can influence mental health care. Dr. Nicole shares what a real psychiatric reevaluation looks like, how long it typically takes, and why the goal isn't to prove someone right or wrong, but rather to find the most accurate diagnosis possible.

Listener takeaways:

understand why diagnosis is an investigation that takes weeks or months — not one appointment

why questioning a diagnosis isn't the same as denying one

how to advocate for yourself while maintaining an open mind

why a bipolar diagnosis is more complicated than many people realize

If you've ever wondered, "Do I really have bipolar disorder?", this conversation will help you understand what questions to ask, what to expect from the diagnostic process, and why the best mental health care is built on collaboration and not assumptions. Listen now!

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldn’t be any of those things today if he hadn’t been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health America’s Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero.”

Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.

You don't need a miracle cure to manage bipolar disorder—sometimes the smallest changes can have the biggest impact. Discover practical bipolar hacks that can help you recognize mood episodes earlier, reduce everyday stress, build healthier routines, and make life a little easier.

In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar disorder) and Dr. Nicole Washington share practical, evidence-informed, real-world coping skills that can help you stay one step ahead of bipolar disorder. Gabe also shares the personal strategies he uses to recognize the early warning signs of episodes, and together they explore whether ideas like getting a pet, volunteering, or driving for rideshare apps are genuinely helpful bipolar hacks—or whether they can backfire depending on where you are in your recovery.

Listeners will learn:

Why lowering the bar on difficult days can improve long-term recovery

How to build your own personalized "toolbox" of bipolar hacks

Which bipolar hacks psychiatrists actually recommend

Why chasing perfection is a recipe for suffering

If you've ever wondered, "What can I actually do today to better manage bipolar disorder?" this episode is packed with answers.

"The hack isn't expecting less from yourself forever—it's adjusting your expectations when you need to so you can keep moving forward." ~Gabe Howard, Host

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldn’t be any of those things today if he hadn’t been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health America’s Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero.”

Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.