“Episodic” is an exploration of two comedians’ experiences with bipolar disorder. John F. O’Donnell and Andrea Allan have different versions of this mood disorder, and they both open up about their particular diagnosis. Each episode captures a different episode (bout) of mania and depression that John or Andrea have been through. “Episodic” promises to be full of insanity, euphoria, bad decisions, laughter, sadness, pleasure, pain and, ultimately, triumph of the human spirit.
John and Andrea discuss the STAT News article, “For some with bipolar disorder, manic episodes are magnified for all to see online.” John talks about social media insanity he partook in when he was manic. Wild times!
Andrea and John discuss the Wired article, “OpenAI Says Hundreds of Thousands of ChatGPT Users May Show Signs of Manic or Psychotic Crisis Every Week.” They also delve into Andrea’s controversial use of the chatbot.
John and Andrea go over clinical psychologist, Dr. Xavier Amador’s, decades long work about how to understand and help people who won’t accept that they have a mental illness. They’re actually not in denial often times. Instead, they are completely unaware that they are mentally ill. Dr. Amador explains the difference and how this difference informs how one should approach the person in crisis.
Andrea opens up to John about her narcissistic father and reveals the tools she has developed over the years to recover from the abuse she was subjected to.
John and Andrea discuss the time John attempted to use an alternative holistic treatment plan for his bipolar 1 disorder. Spoiler: It didn’t work for him. But does that mean it can’t work for others?
JFOD and Andrea discuss some gnarly psychedelic trips they’ve experienced. Plus, JFOD compares and contrasts his various trips to different psych wards.