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During this episode you may encounter topics relating to SA, SI, and medication experience, trigger warning is advised.

Through my own mental health awareness advocacy campaign on social media I befriended Author Musician and Mental Health Advocate Peter Vox who is the author of his book, "The Psych Ward Notes - Surviving Anxiety and Depression". The book is in both reading and listening format and can be found on Amazon, Kindle and most Audio-books like SCRIBD. 

I first learned about this book several months ago when I was still in the recovery stage in my own disability leave of absence.  I didn't want to read this book because of 2 primary reasons.  One, is because I was afraid the content of this book might trigger me.  And two I didn't think I was severe enough to worry about getting admitted into a Psych Ward.  However things have gotten worse for me and about a month ago I had a really bad panic attack at work which until now I haven't gone back to work.  I was on a Panic Attack watch for 3 weeks and everyday I encounter chances where I might end up in the hospital or worse, a Psych Ward.  The type of anxieties I felt was disabling and I was losing my mind.

Before I interviewed Peter I also downloaded an Audio-book version of his book from the App ScribD.  The app used an AI generated voice of the author and it sounded really good.  Quickly I breezed through the chapters with laughter and tears.  Peter is a very talented writer in my opinion and the way he describes things, his analogy and metaphor were so cleverly constructed.  He felt so real to me hence this is a PROFOUND interview with TREMENDOUSLY valuable content to give the reader new insight, knowledge, and reflections.  

Peter is diagnosed with General Anxiety and Depression.  He has struggled with SI and had history of SA.  

My name is Peter too and I am diagnosed Tourette's Syndrome, ADHD, OCD, and Bipolar 2.  

I feel this book is more than just mental health but it's life itself.  Our life in this modern world strives to connect faster and bigger and we fall harder in a way we are living in a Bipolar world and for us Neurodivergent life can be challenging to navigate.  This book is a compilation of handwritten journals Peter has written when he was inside the Psych Ward.  In this book the reader gets to see through his lenses and put us into his shoes.  We walk with him throughout the psych ward floor and we get to know other inhabitants of the institution.  

I am also a father who struggles with mental health conditions and walking on this path together with my family and my sons.  In my opinion this is one of my best podcasts by far.  The author and I shared great chemistry, this was a very natural conversation.  

Thank you for listening