Off the Couch Psychology

What does it really mean to have a manic episode? Is hypomania just having extra energy, or is there much more to it? In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology Podcast, you'll learn how psychologists and psychiatrists tell the difference between mania and hypomania, why that distinction is so important, and how it can affect diagnosis and treatment.

You'll discover why sleeping less isn't always the biggest clue, why being p...

Social anxiety disorder is far more than being shy. In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology Podcast, you'll discover what is really happening inside the mind of someone who fears being judged, criticized, or embarrassed in everyday social situations. You'll also learn why social anxiety disorder is so often confused with generalized anxiety disorder—and why understanding the difference matters.

Through real-life exam...

Could your immune system be affecting your mental health?

For years, mental health has been explained through brain chemistry, genetics, life experiences, and psychology. But a growing body of research is asking another fascinating question: What role does inflammation play in depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mental health conditions?

In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology Podcast, Dr. Jerry Cunningham br...

Separation Anxiety Disorder isn't just something children experience. Adults can struggle with it too, especially after major life changes, trauma, or the loss of someone they love. In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology Podcast, you'll learn how to recognize the difference between normal worry and Separation Anxiety Disorder, why the brain reacts the way it does, and most importantly, what actually helps people recover.

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IEPs and 504 Plans affect millions of students, but understanding what these plans actually do can feel like trying to read a school policy manual while someone keeps adding more forms to the pile.

In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology Podcast, Dr. Jerry Cunningham breaks down the difference between an IEP and a 504 Plan, why these protections exist, and what can happen when a strong plan is either properly implemented—...

A child explodes over a video game, a simple correction at school, or being told no. Is it defiance, bad behavior, bipolar disorder—or something else?

In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology Podcast, you'll learn about Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, or DMDD, a childhood mood disorder involving chronic irritability and severe, recurring emotional outbursts. You'll hear how DMDD can show up at home, school, and in ...

What if one skill could improve your relationships, reduce stress, make you a better leader, and even strengthen your faith? In this special crossover episode of Quest for Success and Off the Couch Psychology, Dr. Jerry Cunningham explores the science behind emotional intelligence and why it may be one of the most valuable skills you'll ever develop. You'll discover what emotional intelligence really is, what happens in your m...

Hair pulling. Skin picking. For many people, these behaviors are far more than "bad habits." They're real mental health conditions that often leave people feeling frustrated, embarrassed, and misunderstood.

In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology Podcast, Dr. Jerry Cunningham breaks down trichotillomania and excoriation disorder in plain language. You'll learn what these disorders really are, why they happen, what the brain is ...

Social media has become a normal part of growing up, but what does the research actually say about its impact on children and teenagers? In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology Podcast, Dr. Jerry Cunningham separates headlines from evidence as he explores what researchers have discovered about the relationship between social media and anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, school performance, and social development. You'l...

Schizoaffective disorder is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions, often confused with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression. In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology Podcast, Dr. Jerry Cunningham separates fact from fiction and explains what schizoaffective disorder really is in language that is easy to understand.

You'll learn how psychotic symptoms and mood disorders can occur together, why thi...

Why do some people constantly worry about relationships while others seem emotionally distant? Why do some people trust easily while others struggle with rejection, vulnerability, or closeness? The answers may be rooted in something psychologists call attachment styles.

In this episode of Quest for Success Podcast, Dr. Jerry Cunningham explores the science behind attachment styles and how they influence mental health, emotional reg...

Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood conditions in mental health. Many people think they know what it is because of movies, television, or things they've heard over the years. The problem is that much of that information is wrong.

In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology Podcast, Dr. Jerry Cunningham takes you beyond the myths and headlines to explore what schizophrenia and psychosis really are. You'll learn how these ...

What if the future of Tourette's syndrome treatment isn't another medication—but a wearable device on your wrist or a technology that helps regulate the brain itself?

In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology, Dr. Jerry Cunningham explores one of the most exciting areas of modern neuroscience: neuromodulation. You'll discover how researchers are using technologies such as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), wearable nerve stimula...

Most people think they know what Tourette's Disorder looks like. The problem is that much of what we've seen in movies, television, and social media only tells a small part of the story.

In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology Podcast, Dr. Jerry Cunningham takes a deeper look at Tic Disorders and Tourette's Disorder, separating myths from facts and exploring what is really happening in the brain. You'll learn why tics occur, wh...

What if improving your mental health isn't just about what's happening in your mind—but also what's happening in your metabolism?

In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology Podcast, Dr. Jerry Cunningham explores the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry and the growing research connecting metabolic health to mental health. You'll discover why researchers are studying the links between obesity, insulin resistance, inflammati...

Why do some people check the lock ten times before leaving the house? Why do unwanted thoughts seem impossible to shut off? And why is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder so much more than simply wanting things clean and organized?

In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology, Dr. Jerry Cunningham takes a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions. You'll learn what OCD actually is, how obsessions and compulsion...

What if the future of mental health treatment isn't a daily pill, but a therapy that helps the brain create new pathways in just a single session?

In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology Podcast, Dr. Jerry Cunningham explores one of the most talked-about areas in psychology and psychiatry today: psychedelic-assisted therapies and the emerging field of neuroplastogens. You'll discover what researchers are learning about psilocyb...

Anxiety attack. Panic attack. Panic disorder. Most people use these terms interchangeably, but they are not the same thing.

In this episode of Off the Couch Psychology Podcast, Dr. Jerry Cunningham breaks down the important differences between anxiety attacks and panic attacks, explains what panic disorder really is, and helps you understand why these experiences can feel so overwhelming. You'll learn what is happening inside the b...

This episode on Off the Couch Psychology, we are breaking down one of the most misunderstood topics in psychology: IQ tests and intelligence testing. Most people think an IQ score is simply a number that tells you whether somebody is "smart," but the truth is far more complicated—and far more interesting. In this episode, you will learn what intelligence tests actually measure, how psychologis...