Disorders and difficulties
Civic life
idea
Disappointment is not just a feeling – it’s a political force
When political regimes fail us, don’t turn to optimism. It’s disappointment that holds the radical potential for change
by Rafael Holmberg
Grief
idea
The loss remains, so why does intense grief usually fade?
Grief’s ‘double vision’ beholds both the bereaved and dead. Recognising this duality helps explain our ability to move on
by Berislav Marušić
Virtues and vices
idea
Social comparison is driving us to despair. It doesn’t have to
In the social media age, it seems impossible not to measure ourselves against others – but we can dodge the worst pitfalls
by Wojciech Kaftański
Psychotherapy
idea
Think someone should see a therapist? Here’s how to bring it up
Your suggestion could be invaluable, and it doesn’t need to be perfect. These steps will help you get a caring message across
by Kathryn Gordon
Psychoanalysis and the unconscious
idea
Men’s anxiety about hair loss can have a deeper meaning
As a psychoanalyst, I’ve seen how reflecting on the emotional symbolism of hair loss can be therapeutic for many men
by Tom Wooldridge
Conflict and conflict resolution
idea
Why being snubbed can make you feel so hurt and enraged
The psychology of ostracism helps explain why you can sometimes shrug it off, yet other times feel the urge to lash out
by Christiane Büttner
Death and dying
idea
As a society, we’re not death phobic, we’re death complacent
Our culture is routinely diagnosed with an excessive fear of mortality. A calm look at the evidence tells a different story
by Ingemar Patrick Linden
Anxiety
idea
If you think you are ‘just not a math person’ then think again
Understanding how mathematics anxiety takes root points to ways to overcome it, opening up new opportunities and pastimes
by Nathan T T Lau & H Moriah Sokolowski
Difficult emotions
idea
Feeling nothing can be as devastating as feeling too much
Emotional ‘emptiness’ is a damaging, underexplored phenomenon. Better understanding it could help steer people to fulfilment
by Christopher J Hopwood
Autism
idea
Late autism diagnosis: it’s a relief, but who’s behind the mask?
By the time an adult learns they’re autistic, they have often been covering up for years. A period of self-discovery awaits
by Leonie Mercedes
Hallucinations and delusions
idea
If you hear voices, here are some empowering ways to respond
Hearing voices isn’t always a problem – but if they’re stressful or frightening, it is possible to regain a sense of control
by Mark Hayward
Neurodiversity
idea
Living without mental imagery may shield against trauma’s impact
Discovering I have aphantasia helped me understand my response to being assaulted and why I wasn’t debilitated by PTSD
by J B Smith