Complex PTSD: When Nothing Makes Sense (and the Kitchen Sink)

The Cutting Board

The Supervised Mind Episode Title: The Cutting Board Subtitle: Understanding Self-Injury in Psychiatric Practice Host: Dr. Faisal Rafiq Audience: Clinicians – Psychiatrists, NPs, PAs, Therapists Welcome back to The Supervised Mind Today’s episode is called The Cutting Board. We’re going to talk about self-injury—specifically non-suicidal self-injury, or NSSI. This is a topic that makes many clinicians pause. It’s uncomfortable. It’s urgent. And it’s all too common. We’ll explore the biological drivers, the emotional mechanics, and the treatment pathways—including when to medicate, when to refer, and when to simply listen. Because behind every scar is a story—and our job is to understand, not just to stop the bleeding.

The K-Hole Theory: Spravato, Ketamine, and the Psychiatric Reset

In this deep-dive episode, Dr. Faisal Rafiq explores the clinical science, supervision nuances, and lived experience surrounding Spravato® (esketamine) and IV ketamine as tools for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), suicidality, and trauma-linked shutdown. Through the story of Emily, a 32-year-old nurse whose depression was unresponsive to conventional treatments, we see how structured ketamine therapy provided more than symptom relief—it offered a psychological reset.

The Piercing Thought "OCD"

Theme: A story-driven exploration of OCD — from the first intrusive thought to the relentless rituals that follow, and ultimately, the path toward understanding and healing. Episode Summary: In The Piercing Thought, Dr. Faisal Rafiq unravels the hidden world of obsessive-compulsive disorder through the lens of a fictional patient, “Eli.” Listeners will follow Eli’s descent into cycles of fear and ritual, how one thought hijacked his peace, and the clinical framework that explains this experience. The episode explores common misconceptions, evidence-based treatments, and how modern psychiatry helps patients separate the thought from the thinker.

Complex PTSD: When Nothing Makes Sense (and the Kitchen Sink)

In this episode, Dr. Faisal Rafiq explores the complexity of Complex PTSD (cPTSD)—a condition shaped by chronic, repeated trauma that often masquerades as mood, personality, or anxiety disorders. Through a trauma-informed lens, this episode walks clinicians through recognizing cPTSD’s emotional and somatic layers, differentiating it from BPD or TRD, and understanding why traditional diagnostic frameworks often fall short. Dr. Rafiq breaks down symptom clusters, guides clinicians on medication strategies, and introduces emerging treatments like Rexulti and Auvelity, while also revisiting underutilized options like Elavil for trauma-linked insomnia and pain. A critical theme is the importance of sequencing care properly—using medication to stabilize before engaging in deep trauma therapy such as EMDR or IFS. With supervision reflections woven throughout, the episode reinforces the message: Complex PTSD isn’t a broken brain—it’s an adapted one. Treatment begins with safety, structure, and steady presence.

Lithium Power

In this episode, Dr. Faisal Rafiq describes the unmatched effectiveness of lithium as a mood stabilizer, highlighting its role in treating bipolar disorder and its unique status as one of the few naturally occurring psychiatric medications. He discusses key side effects—including the classic “peeing like a racehorse”—as well as important monitoring protocols, and the differences between extended-release and immediate-release formulations. A must-listen for clinicians seeking clarity on lithium’s powerful role in mood disorder management.