This podcast explores the diverse perspectives of neurology. It consists of monologues and conversations with neurologists, neuroscientists, neuroscience journalists and neurology patients who have written accessible books on the brain and its disorders.
Episode 84. 10 Tricky Neurological Disorders in Pregnancy
In this short podcast, I highlight 10 major neurological disorders that can afflict pregnant women.
1 May 2025
Episode 83. Depression with Linda Gask – Author of The Other Side of Darkness
Linda Gask joins me in this episode to explore her dual perspectives of depression as a sufferer, and as a psychiatrist. Emerita Professor of Primary Care Psychiatry, Linda chronicles her history of depression which first reared its head when she was in medical school, and dogged her career as a junior doctor and then as a consultant.
Linda described the manifestations of her depression, from low mood and poor motivation to physical pain and suicidality. She also highlighted her co-morbid performance anxiety, obsessiveness, and ruminative thoughts. We also explored her biopsychosocial vulnerabilities to depression, such as a strong family history of mental illness, and the life events that trigger her breakdowns.
The podcast also discussed Linda's double-edged experience of antidepressants, and of psychological therapies. She also highlighted the importance of having healthy relationships and being open about the disorder. Other themes of the conversation are the vulnerability of doctors, especially psychiatrists, to depression and suicide; the practical approaches to managing depression; and the inadequacies of current anti-depressant therapies.
Linda has worked as an advisor to WHO and has been on the Board of the World Psychiatric Association. She co-founded the STORM suicide prevention training organisation, and she now serves as Vice-Chair of the Blide Trust, a mental health voluntary organisation. Her latest book is ‘Out of Her Mind: How We are Failing Women’s Mental Health and What Must Change’.
28 Apr 2025
Episode 82. Darkness – In the Abyss of Depression
In this episode I take an exhaustive look at the diverse perspectives of depression, that pervasive mood disorder that afflicts far too many people. I explore its gradual onset and chronic, often life-long course, and highlight the overwhelming features of depression, from low mood and poor appetite to poor sleep and loss of interest in pleasurable activities. I also explore the less appreciated dimension of the pain of depression.
I illustrate the lived experience of depression with such fascinating patient accounts as that of Sally Brampton titled Shoot the Damned Dog, of Lewis Wolpert titled Malignant Sadness, of Andrew Solomon titled The Noonday Demon, and of William Styron titled Darkness Visible. Significantly, the memoirs stress the difficulty people have in recognising that their low mood has crossed the threshold into depression.
The interplay of familial and environmental risk factors of depression is also a major theme of the podcast which emphasised such critical provoking life events as divorce and loss of income. I also discussed the risk of suicide that may complicate depression, a theme that I explored by relying on the book When It is Darkest by psychologist and suicide expert Rory O’Connor.
I also discuss the different treatment modalities of depression, from antidepressants and psychotherapy to somatic therapy, the long road to recovery, and the ever-present risk of treatment resistance and relapse. Other themes the podcast covers are the shame and stigma that accompany depression.
The historical themes of the podcast highlight the insights of Abu Zayd Al Balkhi in depression and cognitive behaviour therapy, that roles played by Sigmund Freud and Joseph Breuer in establishing psychoanalysis, and that of Nathan Kline in the development of the first antidepressant.
Who has been a guest on The Neurology Lounge
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Leslie Davidson
Lincoln
Clive Wearing
Jimmie G
Oliver Sacks
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
78,645
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 48 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
53
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
32
Contact The Neurology Lounge
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
