Disorders and difficulties

Disorders and difficulties Therapies and practical advice Perspectives and controversies

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A person leaning against a wall under a light in a dimly lit alley with graffiti-covered walls.

Addiction

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The shame felt in addiction often isn’t toxic – it’s healing

The push to take shame out of recovery is well-meaning. But it overlooks the power this emotion has to motivate change

by Owen Flanagan

A woman on a laptop in a modern café with wall art, a large cactus and pendant lights above.

Worry and rumination

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What if your worry problem is really a planning problem?

Clinicians have long recognised the link between worry and planning. New research asks what this means for managing anxiety

by Paul B Sharp

Photo of a child squatting in a museum, observing a large classical statue with people around.

Emotion regulation

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How to compare yourself with others fairly

Ever worry that you don’t measure up? These CBT-based practices can make social comparison less painful and more productive

by Joel Minden

Sculpture of a human-like figure made of teal wool reaching towards a wooden chair on a light background.

Change and self-development

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A wool puppet’s stirring journey from safety into the great unknown

A film by Kobi Vogman

Photo of a woman in a floral shirt, appearing deep in thought with her hands clasped near her face.

Cognitive and behavioural therapies

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Instead of wrestling with self-defeating thoughts, try this

When your own thoughts discourage and undermine you, it’s easy to get tangled. A change of strategy could get you past it

by Joe Oliver & Kristy Potter

Photo of a small American flag on a metal barrier surrounded by litter at night.

Civic life

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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

Black and white photo of two people sitting on a bench by a lake between two trees.

Depression

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How to support someone with depression

Being there for someone can be challenging. A clinical psychologist shares what to say and do to help them feel less alone

by Emma Cotterill

Photo of a man sitting in a circle on a speckled background, focusing on an object in his hands, with a cosmic effect.

Trauma and PTSD

film

How small creatures helped James connect with the human-scale world

Directed by Spencer MacDonald

Painting of a woman with large eyes wearing dark clothes surrounded by bold colours including red and yellow.

Grief

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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

Photo of a woman with tattoos taking a selfie on a smartphone wearing an off-shoulder dress in front of glass doors.

Virtues and vices

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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

Illustration of a person pushing a large boulder up a boat’s bow over stylised blue waves.

Forgiveness

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How to forgive (even if they’re unrepentant)

Feeling ill will toward someone who harmed you is natural but draining. You can let it go, whether you reconcile or not

by Richard S Balkin

Close-up of hands holding clear frogspawn with visible black eggs in a natural outdoor setting.

Creativity

film

A filmmaker’s never-realised ideas become an exploration of self-doubt

Directed by Cameron Nicoll