Shows
Brain Trash: Psychiatry from DSM to Dumpster FireThe Safe Word is "Consent": The Psychology of Autism and SexSend us questions here!The Safe Word is “Consent”: The Psychology of Autism and SexWhat do kink, structure, and sensory regulation have in common? For many autistic individuals, BDSM isn’t just about pleasure—it’s about safety, identity, and healing.In this episode of Brain Trash, Maria and Tabitha explore:Why autistic folks are often drawn to kink communitiesThe comfort of clear roles, rules, and ritualsHow consent and power exchange can support trauma recoveryThe connection between sensory needs and intimacyWhy clinicians need to stop pathologizing kinkThis isn’t a ta...2025-07-2228 min
Brain Trash: Psychiatry from DSM to Dumpster FireAutism and Sex: Myths, Consent and Neurodivergent IntimacySend us questions here!WELCOME TO THE SECOND SEASON OF BRAIN TRASH!Autism and Sex: Myths, Consent, and Neurodivergent IntimacyThis episode of Brain Trash takes a bold step into a rarely discussed space: the intersection of autism and sex. Hosts Maria Ingalla and Tabitha explore the myths, misunderstandings, and unique challenges autistic people face in navigating intimacy, consent, and sensory overwhelm.🔥 In this episode:Debunking myths about autistic sex and asexualityThe pressure to perform and masking in intimate settingsWhy sensory awareness matters in sex...2025-07-1521 min
Brain Trash: Psychiatry from DSM to Dumpster FireBedtime Battles: Autistic Sleep DemystifiedSend us questions here!Why Autistic Brains Struggle with Sleep | Brain Trash PodcastIn this episode of Brain Trash, Maria Ingalla and Tabitha Arey unpack the science and lived experiences behind sleep struggles in autistic individuals. From melatonin dysregulation and altered sleep architecture to sensory processing and behavioral cycles—this episode digs into why sleep is so often misunderstood in neurodivergent care.Whether you’re a provider, parent, or navigating your own neurodivergent sleep landscape, this one’s for you.Topics Covered:Why melatonin works differently in aut...2025-05-2025 min
Brain Trash: Psychiatry from DSM to Dumpster FireICD, DSM, WTF: Decoding the Chaos of Mental Health DiagnosesSend us questions here!In this episode of Brain Trash, hosts Maria Ingalla and Tabitha Arey take a brutally honest look at what psychiatric diagnosis actually means in 2025. From rushed 15-minute appointments to diagnosis codes written for insurance companies—not care—this episode unpacks the messy, outdated system we're all stuck in.We dive into:How ICD-10 and DSM coding shapes your treatmentThe dangers of misdiagnosis (especially for neurodivergent folks)Why screeners don’t tell the full storyThe stigma and identity confusion that comes with labelsWhat we really need from a modern diagnostic systemWhet...2025-05-1322 min
Brain Trash: Psychiatry from DSM to Dumpster FireA Professional Deep Dive on the Autism RegistrySend us questions here!RFK's proposed Autism Registry isn’t about public health—it’s about power.This week on Brain Trash, we dive into the controversial Autism Registry plan and what it means for neurodivergent communities. We discuss how data collection can be weaponized, why environmental blame narratives are harmful, and how this policy might impact access to services.We’re calling it what it is: a dangerous precedent.Hear the truth and download our free guide at paperflowerinstitute.comSocials:Facebook: Paperflower PsychiatryInstagra...2025-05-0719 min
Brain Trash: Psychiatry from DSM to Dumpster FireFrom Clumsy to Misdiagnosed: The Reality of DyspraxiaSend us questions here!Is it clumsiness — or is it dyspraxia?In this episode of Brain Trash, Maria Ingalla and Tabitha Arey break down what developmental coordination disorder (dyspraxia) actually looks like — and why so many neurodivergent people are going undiagnosed.We talk about: Why dyspraxia is way more than just being “bad at sports”What dyspraxia means for motor skills, daily living, and mental healthThe real impact on kids and adults navigating a world not built for their brainsThe role of therapy, medication, and practical supportTeaching strategies that actually workAnd why neurodive...2025-04-1433 min
Brain Trash: Psychiatry from DSM to Dumpster FireWhen National Child Abuse Prevention Month is Actually Increasing Suicide Among KidsSend us questions here!In this conversation, Maria Ingalla and Tabitha discuss the implications of a new executive order related to child abuse prevention, focusing on the controversial topic of gender ideology and its perceived threat to children. They explore the realities of child abuse, the impact of trauma, and the importance of support for trans youth. The discussion highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by healthcare providers in the current political climate and emphasizes the need for advocacy and education to ensure the well-being of all children.The new executive order on child abuse prevention raises...2025-04-0831 min
Brain Trash: Psychiatry from DSM to Dumpster FirePsych Meds: Yearbook EditionSend us questions here!SummaryPsychiatric meds but make it a high school yearbook superlative. 🏆 In this episode of Brain Trash, Maria and Tabitha dive into the chaotic world of mental health medications—who’s the MVP, who’s most likely to ruin your sex life, and who’s the overachiever you can’t live without. From SSRIs and benzodiazepines to ADHD meds, we’re breaking down what they do, their side effects, and the real conversations doctors aren’t always having. Plus, let’s talk about what no one wants to admit—meds affec...2025-03-2422 min
Brain Trash: Psychiatry from DSM to Dumpster FireAre Your Medications Safe? The Reality of Make America Healthy AgainSend us questions here!Episode Summary: Mental health is under fire—again. In this episode, Maria and Tabitha break down the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ executive order and its dangerous implications for people with autism, ADHD, and mental health conditions. From medication access to Big Pharma’s grip on treatment options, we’re exposing the misinformation fueling public fear and the real consequences of misguided health policies. Why are mental health diagnoses like autism and ADHD being questioned? Who d...2025-03-1938 min
Brain Trash: Psychiatry from DSM to Dumpster FireLinking Ehlers Danlos and POTS to NeurodivergenceSend us questions here!SummaryIn this episode, Maria and Tabitha explore the intricate connections between neurodivergence and connective tissue disorders, particularly focusing on Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and POTS. They discuss the prevalence of these conditions in women, the role of collagen in bodily functions, and the challenges faced by patients in the healthcare system, including gaslighting and misunderstandings in treatment. The conversation emphasizes the need for better education, advocacy, and understanding among healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes.Takeaways:Neurodivergence and connective tissue disorders often overlap, especially in women...2025-03-1125 min
Brain Trash: Psychiatry from DSM to Dumpster FireDiagnosing Autism in Psychiatry: It’s Giving ‘You Don’t Look Autistic'Send us questions here!Autism has long been boxed into a narrow stereotype—white, male, socially awkward, obsessed with trains. But what about the autistic people who don’t fit that mold? The girl who made it to adulthood without a diagnosis because she was “just shy”? The high-achieving professional who burns out repeatedly but is told they’re just anxious? The Black kid who gets labeled as “defiant” instead of supported? The adult who spent years self-medicating with alcohol or drugs because they were never given the right framework to understand themselves?In this episode of Bra...2025-02-2544 min
Brain Trash: Psychiatry from DSM to Dumpster FireTikTok vs. Psychiatry: Who’s Really Getting Neurodivergence Right?Send us questions here!Is TikTok actually helping people understand neurodivergence, or is it just fueling a wave of self-diagnoses? In this no-BS, unfiltered first episode of Brain Trash, we’re tackling the big debate about social media and self-diagnosis.We’re Maria Ingalla and Tabitha Arey, psychiatric nurse practitioners who are super tired of the outdated approach to mental health. We’re here to dive into: The real reason so many people are turning to TikTok for answers How the system is screwing over neurodivergent people (especially women & queer folks)Wh...2025-02-1723 min