When someone we love disappears, grief becomes trapped between hope and despair. But ambiguous loss also occurs when addiction or illness changes someone we love.

Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, was abducted more than a month ago — a tragedy that has captured national attention and stirred a powerful emotional response from people who have never met the family.

Why do stories like this affect us so deeply?

In this episode, addiction scientist and clinical psychologist Dr. Suzette Glasner explores the psychology of ambiguous loss, a term coined by family therapist Pauline Boss to describe a uniquely painful form of grief that occurs when a loved one is physically absent but psychologically present — such as in cases of missing persons, disappearances, or unresolved tragedies.

But ambiguous loss doesn’t only occur when someone goes missing. It can also happen when someone we love is physically present but psychologically changed by illness. Conditions such as dementia, severe mental illness, and addiction can create a similar experience of grief, as families struggle with the painful feeling that the person they once knew is “here, but not here.”

Drawing on decades of psychological research, Dr. Glasner explains the emotional experience reported by families navigating ambiguous loss — including the constant tension between hope and despair, guilt over moments of happiness, and the profound psychological toll of grief without closure.

The episode also explores why highly publicized tragedies can create a shared emotional experience across society — a phenomenon known as collective ambiguous loss — and how public grief unfolds in the age of social media.

Finally, Dr. Glasner discusses psychological traits and therapeutic approaches that can help people cope with uncertainty and loss when answers may never come.

Ambiguous loss is not limited to missing persons cases. Families coping with addiction, dementia, and severe mental illness often describe a similar experience of grief for someone who is still physically present but psychologically altered. One therapeutic approach that has shown promise in helping people cope with this kind of uncertainty is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which focuses on developing psychological flexibility and learning to live meaningfully even when answers or closure may never come.

Learn More About Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)• Association for Contextual Behavioral Science – https://contextualscience.org• Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life – Steven C. Hayes• The Happiness Trap – Russ Harris

📩 Questions or topic suggestions? Email AskDrGlasner@gmail.com

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Bipolar disorder can bring periods of severe depression, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts. In this episode, Dr. Glasner reflects on a powerful conversation with Emmy Award–winning actor Maurice Benard about living with bipolar disorder and how people can find hope during their darkest moments.

What does it feel like to live through the darkest moments of bipolar disorder — and choose to keep going? In this episode, Dr. Glasner reflects on her recent conversation with Maurice Benard about suicidal thoughts, treatment, and the fight to hold onto hope.

Watch the full episode here:

In This Episode

* Maurice Benard’s experience living with bipolar disorder

* What suicidal thoughts can feel like during bipolar depression

* Why hopelessness is one of the most dangerous symptoms

* The importance of staying connected to treatment and support

* How people can get through the darkest moments of mental illness

Bipolar Disorder, Suicidal Thoughts, and Choosing Hope

In this episode, Dr. Glasner reflects on a powerful conversation with Emmy Award–winning actor Maurice Benard about bipolar disorder, suicidal thoughts, and suicide prevention.

Maurice Benard has lived with bipolar disorder since his early twenties and has openly shared his mental health journey with millions of people. Dr. Glasner recently joined Maurice on his podcast, State of Mind, where they spoke candidly about surviving the darkest moments of bipolar disorder and finding reasons to keep going.

Maurice Benard is a suicide survivor. At different times in his life, he experienced intense suicidal thoughts and impulses, but he did not act on them. Instead, he chose to stick with treatment, and continue fighting through the most difficult periods of the illness.

Dr. Glasner reflects on the insights from their conversation, including how moments of deep hopelessness can arise during mood disorders and how treatment, support, and persistence can help people move through these periods.

Maurice’s story offers hope to anyone living with bipolar disorder, depression, or suicidal thoughts, and to those who care about someone who may be struggling. Dr. Glasner also shares clinical insights about how individuals and families can better anticipate and navigate periods of severe emotional distress.

About Maurice Benard

Maurice Benard is an Emmy Award–winning actor, best known for his role as Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital. He has lived with bipolar disorder since his early twenties and has become one of the most visible advocates for mental health awareness.

Maurice hosts the podcast State of Mind, where he speaks openly with guests about mental health, trauma, resilience, and recovery in order to reduce stigma and encourage honest conversations about mental illness.

Learn more about Maurice Benard’s podcast State of Mind:https://www.mbstateofmind.com

Mental Health Support Resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts, confidential support from a trained counselor is available 24/7 through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Call or text 988Visit:

https://988lifeline.org

You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline, available 24/7 for treatment referrals and information about mental health and substance use disorders.

Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)TTY: 1-800-487-4889

Frequently Asked Questions

What does bipolar depression feel like?Bipolar depression can involve intense sadness, hopelessness, low energy, difficulty concentrating, and sometimes suicidal thoughts. Therapy, medication, and support can significantly improve outcomes.

Where can someone get help for suicidal thoughts?In the United States, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support 24/7 by calling or texting 988.

If this episode helped you, consider sharing it with someone who might benefit from hearing this conversation about bipolar disorder, hope, and suicide prevention.

In a widely viewed conversation several years ago, Joe Rogan and Jordan Peterson discussed Peterson’s experience with benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal. The exchange brought significant public attention to the challenges some individuals face when discontinuing medications like Xanax.

But how closely did that conversation align with clinical evidence?

In this episode, clinical psychologist and addiction scientist Dr. Suzette Glasner examines what Rogan and Peterson accurately captured about benzodiazepine withdrawal — and where important nuance may have been missing. Drawing on research, clinical guidelines, and what is known about protracted withdrawal, suicide risk, and physical dependence, this episode informs cultural narrative with clinical science.

Watch the full episode here:

Episode Breakdown

00:00 How Long Does Xanax Withdrawal Really Last?00:34 Why Xanax & Ativan Became So Popular02:00 The Hidden Cost of “Quick Relief”02:43 Jordan Peterson’s 2-Year Withdrawal Battle03:50 The Truth About Short-Term vs. Long-Term Use05:00 Why Stopping Benzos Cold Turkey Can Be Dangerous05:24 Protracted Withdrawal: Why Symptoms Can Last Years06:17 Anxiety, Depression & Rebound Symptoms Explained07:10 Akathisia, Psychosis & Misdiagnosis Risks09:00 Can You Die From Benzodiazepine Withdrawal?10:09 Tapering Off Benzodiazepines11:00 Who’s Most at Risk for Severe Withdrawal?12:37 How Long Does a Safe Taper Actually Take?14:34 Xanax + Alcohol & A Final Message of Hope

Listen to Episode 43 now to learn how evolving science, media influence, and public perception intersect in the ongoing conversation about anxiety and its treatment.

📩 Questions or topic suggestions? Email AskDrGlasner@gmail.com

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