What is it about the word suicide that makes you want to whisper? Is it a feeling of shame, guilt, or isolation? Listen, as your host Eric and his guest Dr. Lindsay Weisner discuss the stigma around the word suicide and how important it is for people to have the conversation. They also share that talking to someone about your feelings lets you know that you are not alone, and it might help you find happiness in your life, and much more on this episode of ADHD reWired.
Lindsay is a clinical psychologist in Long Island, NY, and graduated from Georgetown University. She was awarded fellowships in child development at the National Institute of Health and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Lindsay also received her doctorate at CW Post LIU and pursued postdoctoral training at the American Institute of Psychoanalysis. Dr. Weisner is the current host of the Neurotic Nourishment Podcast and the Co-Author of the book Ten Steps to Finding Happy.
Listen, as Lindsay describes being diagnosed with ADHD at forty-two, her son being diagnosed, and the impact that the prescribed medicines have had on them both. Lindsay also speaks about the book she co-authored and her mom’s substance abuse and mental health issues. She shares about her mom’s multiple suicide attempts, what that did to her family, and why she believes that helping individuals who are thinking about suicide is her calling.
Talking about mental health issues and suicide isn’t easy, but if you push the trepidation aside and open up the conversation, you might be surprised at what you can accomplish. Dr. Lindsay Weisner’s passion is to help bring light to people who only see darkness. If you resonate with any of this, please listen to this episode and start the conversation.
You’ll learn:
- [02:38] Lindsay, welcome to the show!
- [05:10] Lindsay shares about being diagnosed with ADHD eight months ago after she was told she wasn’t living up to her full potential as a child.
- [07:16] She speaks about her son being diagnosed with ADHD and depression.
- [10:11] Lindsay shares how getting him on meds changed him completely.
- [11:11] She chats about being diagnosed with ADHD and what that meant for her.
- [14:00] They discuss her being a psychologist, not a psychiatrist.
- [18:44] Lindsay discusses her book and why she wrote it.
- [19:49] Eric warns that they will be talking about suicide.
- [21:16] Lindsay talks about winning the first-ever Cosmopolitan Fiction in 2014 and meeting the author she wrote the book with.
- [25:24] Lindsay speaks about a slew of teenagers in her small town killing themselves.
- [28:04] She talks about growing up knowing her mom had some substance abuse issues and finding out her mom had attempted suicide.
- [30:03] Lindsay chats about being in graduate school and her mom’s other suicide attempts.
- [36:50] Lindsay shares what made her want to work with the suicidal population.
- [38:48] She discusses the Marchman Act, which allows someone to be put on a 72 hours hold against their will.
- [43:15] Lindsay chats about setting up an event to raise awareness of suicide.
- [45:33] Lindsay speaks about all the celebrities she got to back the event.
- [47:54] How are you coping with this and taking care of yourself?
- [50:26] Lindsay gives her insight into why people are afraid to bring up suicide.
- [54:25] Lindsay shares her favorite one of the ten steps, which is ‘find your passion, find your purpose.’
- [57:41] Thank you so much for sharing with us on the podcast today.
- [59:17] If you are a regular listener, consider becoming a patron and on our Patreon at www.ADHDreWired.com
