Love For Mental Illness; How to REACH, Help and Heal - Andy Hogan
In this Stronger Marriage webinar, Andy Hogan shares his powerful personal story of living with bipolar disorder and how mental illness impacts relationships. He explores how recognizing symptoms, meeting core needs, and responding with love instead of fear can strengthen relationships affected by mental health challenges. This insightful session is a must-watch for couples, caregivers, and mental health professionals seeking practical tools for navigating mental illness in relationships.
Time Markers
00:00:00 – Welcome by Nyah Phelps; introduction of speaker Andy Hogan
00:00:44 – Andy’s mental health journey and personal story of bipolar disorder
00:03:12 – Early marriage struggles and defensive relationship patterns
00:08:43 – Understanding mental illness: Thoughts, emotions, behaviors
00:10:29 – Recognizing mental illness as a root cause of relationship pain
00:11:19 – Sharing the song “Recognize” about mental health awareness
00:14:24 – Identifying surface vs. core symptoms in relationships
00:17:31 – Exploring depression symptoms and clinical depression
00:21:03 – Obsessive-Compulsive behaviors and relationship impact
00:22:52 – Anxiety, irritability, and emotional responses in marriage
00:25:27 – Prevalence of mental illness and importance of recognition
00:26:53 – How you act or react makes the difference in relationship health
00:27:50 – Overview of mental health disorders (DSM categories)
00:34:12 – Moving beyond recognition: Asking what’s their need? What’s my need?
00:35:13 – Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs applied to mental health and relationships
00:38:13 – Personal examples of bipolar mania, depression, OCD, and anxiety
00:45:47 – The brain’s fear vs. love response and its effect on relationships
00:48:10 – Fearful defensive reactions vs. loving actions in communication
00:49:55 – Introduction of the "Thrive" communication model for responding with love
00:50:25 – Q&A: Experiencing stigma, authenticity, and mental illness disclosure
00:54:23 – Supporting someone resistant to help or medication
00:57:00 – Difference between situational and clinical depression
00:59:22 – Closing remarks and CEU credit instructions
About Andy Hogan:
Andy was born in Idaho in 1971 and grew up in Utah. At the age of 20, while serving a mission in Taiwan, Andy suffered bipolar manic psychosis. He was tranquilized and flown back the USA where he woke up with memory a week later in a psychiatric hospital. Over a month later, after being released from the hospital, Andy suffered years of life-threatening swings between depression and mania before taking five steps to REACH a meaningful, productive, and peaceful life. REACH is the acronym for the five steps:
Recognize the Source of Symptoms,
Emerge from Isolation,
Authenticate Self and Mental Illness,
Control the Illness as you are Able,
Heighten Your Life!
Andy teaches the steps of REACH in classes, Youtube videos on his channel @REACHAndyHogan, in his website: www.REACHAndyHogan.com, in a music album titled REACH, and in his most-recent book: Love For Mental Illness; How To REACH, Help And Heal.
Since graduating with high honors from the University of Phoenix with a clinical mental health counseling master’s degree in 2018, Andy continues to promote mental health as a Licensed, National Certified, Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and international author, and speaker. Andy travels the globe and cyber space to provide counseling services and classes to English and Mandarin-speaking clients and caregivers worldwide.
Andy Hogan's Link:
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