EPISODE · Apr 3, 2026 · 49 MIN
The gasoline and the match— Bipolar disorder, THC, and manic activation
from Back from the Abyss: Psychiatry in Stories | Psychotherapy, Psychopharmacology, and Psychedelics · host Craig Heacock MD
Today’s story is one of genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and finally a psychiatric flame thrower. Whitney’s uncle had a particularly severe form of bipolar disorder and she too began to develop mood instability and depression as an adolescent. When we think of environmental triggers for mania, we tend to think of sleep deprivation, substances, and the postpartum period. And through her 20s and 30s, Whitney began to have more serious bouts of hypomania during times of sleep deprivation or in her postpartum periods. But it took an increasingly severe weed habit to bring her to the horrors of mania with psychosis. Support the show! https://www.buzzsprout.com/396871/supportBringing Therapy into Med Management-- An intensive workshop for psych NPs and PAs, June 3-6 2026 in Ft Collinshttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/bringing-therapy-into-med-management/"I Love You, I Hate You, Are You My Mom?" An intensive experiential workshop exploring transference and countertransference with Dr. H and Dr. Hillary McBride, June 18-20 2026 in Vancouver/Chilliwack BChttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/i-love-you-i-hate-you-are-you-my-mom/Explore every episode through themes, domains, formats, and speakers. The BFTA CODEX is a listener-built and curated field guide to the podcast. https://bfta-codex.orgBFTA episode recommendations/Podcast pagehttps://www.craigheacockmd.com/podcast-page/Support the show
What this episode covers
Today’s story is one of genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, and finally a psychiatric flame thrower. Whitney’s uncle had a particularly severe form of bipolar disorder and she too began to develop mood instability and depression as an adolescent. When we think of environmental triggers for mania, we tend to think of sleep deprivation, substances, and the postpartum period. And through her 20s and 30s, Whitney began to have more serious bouts of hypomania during times of slee...
NOW PLAYING
The gasoline and the match— Bipolar disorder, THC, and manic activation
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Dec 5, 2025 ·50m
Oct 9, 2025 ·33m
Oct 3, 2025 ·40m
Sep 11, 2025 ·31m
Aug 27, 2025 ·39m
Aug 18, 2025 ·54m