In this week's podcast we discuss five different problems facing the modern world, including the decline in critical thinking, political polarisation, the overreliance on technology and more, and how they are contributing to a rise in mental health problems. Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email [email protected] with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line. Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Nancy Gee, Ph.D is a Professor of Psychiatry in Human Animal Interaction, and the Director of the Centre for Human Animal Interaction at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA. The Centre is the only one of its kind to be housed in a School of Medicine, and in addition to research and educational activities it also houses the “Dogs On Call” therapy dog program. With over 90 DOC volunteer dog-and-handler teams, this program engages in upwards of 100,000 meaningful interactions with patients, staff, and students in the VCU Health system during a typical year.  Nancy is  also the co-editor of “The Role of Companion Animals in the Treatment of Mental Disorders”.If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email [email protected] with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind.

This is a recording of a Q & A session at Riddlesdown collegiate, a secondary school in South London. For this session, specifically aimed at male staff, Alex was interviewed by Deputy Head of College Andrew Edwards. Today we cover topics including male mental health issues, lifestyle factors influencing mental health, work life balance, the economics of discomfort, the signs of burnout, cultural trends affecting dating & relationships, criticial thinking and much more. If you would like to invite Alex to speak at your organisation please email [email protected] with "Speaking Enquiry" in the subject line. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind.

Send us a textDr. Camilla Nord leads the Mental Health Neuroscience Lab at the University of Cambridge, where she holds dual positions as Programme Leader at the  Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit and Assistant Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the Department of Psychiatry. She also holds a Wellcome Career Development Award fellowship, and co-leads an international team of researchers via a Wellcome Mental Health Award. Dr Nord has a longstanding interest in science communication, including many public lectures and a popular science book, The Balanced Brain (Penguin, 2023), a Financial Times, Sunday Times, and Prospect 'Book of the Year'.This episode was made possible by the Royal College of Psychiatrists Academic Faculty and the Margaret Slack Travelling Fellowship.  Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a textProf. Ulrike Schmidt is a Professor of Eating Disorders and Director of the Centre for Research on Eating and Weight Disorders at King’s College London. She is also a Consultant Psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Ulrike works to understand fundamental biology and psychological determinants of eating and weight disorders, including obesity. Her research includes multiple trials of new treatments and led to the development of MANTRA, a NICE-recommended psychotherapy for people with anorexia nervosa.She has also led the development and research on FREED, First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders a multi-award winning early intervention programme for young people with eating disorders, initially trialled in a few locations in the UK which was so successful it has now been rolled out nationally in England.Today we discuss:The most important distinctions between different eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorders.The most important biological, psychological, social and cultural risk factors for developing such a disorder.What the path to recovery looks like.The FREED the treatment pathway professor Schmidt has done a lot of work onPotential novel treatments for eating disorders such as neuromodulation treatments and psychedelic treatments. To find out more about FREED:www.inspirethemind.org/post/early-intervention-for-eating-disorders-grounds-to-celebrateTo find out more about MANTRA:https://mantraweb.co.uk/Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, consultant psychiatrist. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind.

Send us a textDr Tennyson Lee is a Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy and General Adult Psychiatry. He is a psychoanalyst and a member of the Institute of Psychoanalysis. He is a supervisor in Transference Focused Psychotherapy. He is presently clinical lead at the Dean Cross Personality Disorder Service in East London. He is Co-director of a research and training unit, the Centre for Understanding Personality (CUSP) which has a number of collaborations internationally, including with colleagues in China, Europe and South Africa.Dr Lee trained in Public Health before training in psychiatry and has a particular interest in the broader application of psychoanalytic thinking both clinically and within health systems. He has over 40 peer reviewed papers.You can find out more about the Dean Cross Personality Service Here:https://www.elft.nhs.uk/services/deancross-personality-disorder-serviceInterviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a textThis week we're taking a well deserved break, so if you're looking for something to listen to you can check out one of our recent episodes - including our recent interview with Dr. Roberto Mezzina about the Triste model of mental healthcare, our recent compherensive guide to ADHD or our recent Q and A episode where answered questions about topics like self-harm, addiction, delusional disorder and much more. We realy enjoyed doing the Q and A episode and we're collecting questions for the next one, so if you have any questions about psychiatry, psychology, self-development or related topics you can send them to [email protected]. In addition - we've started a tik tok page and we're posting content there regularly so if you're on tik tok you can follow us at thinking.mind.podcast.Thanks for listening and see you next week!

Send us a textIn this episode we discuss ADHD in depth, including the common signs and symptoms, how ADHD is diagnosed, the common risk factors and how ADHD symptoms can be managed both with and without medication. We also discuss whether or not ADHD is over diagnosed, whether ADHD being induced by our lifestyles, and common signs of impairment due to ADHD. Useful links:https://www.additudemag.com/https://adhduk.co.uk/https://aadduk.org/Dr. Alex Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a textRoberto Mezzina is an Italian psychiatrist and a prominent figure in the field of mental health, known for his leadership in promoting community-based mental health care and his role in advancing the principles of the Trieste Model. Mezzina has been a strong advocate for deinstitutionalization and the rights of people with mental health conditions, continuing the legacy of Franco Basaglia, the pioneer of the Trieste Model.Throughout his career, Mezzina has worked to implement and expand the Trieste Model's humanistic and community-focused approach to mental health care, both in Italy and internationally. He has held key positions, including serving as the Director of the Department of Mental Health in Trieste. Under his leadership, Trieste became a global reference point for innovative mental health practices.To learn more about the Trieste model go here:https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/piis2215-0366(21)00252-2/fulltextInterviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, consultant psychiatrist. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a Text Message.Today Alex answers listener questions on a variety of topics including self-harm, talking to complicated people, the function of dark humour, delusional disorder and benzodiazepene addiction. If you would like to submit a question to a future ask me anything episode, email [email protected]. Dr. Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a Text Message.Sam Kotadia is a Chartered Sports Psychologist. He has worked with high profile clubs such as Colchester FC and currently Wrexham FC, and has featured on the Disney documentary about the club and town “Welcome to Wrexham”. He also oversees the flagship programme at Empire Fighting Chance (https://www.empirefightingchance.org/), a Bristol-based charity. Sam developed a non-contact boxing programme to help disengaged young people understand resilience and their mind. They work with 5000 young people per year. We discuss Sam’s approach to and ideas about the mind, developed over 20 years of working with footballers and boxers at both an elite and youth level. We discuss the practicalities of applying these and how they can complement the contrasting approaches that sports coaches and managers can bring. Sam can be reached on [email protected] by Dr. Anya Borissova - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a Text Message.In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of the Insecure Overachiever—a driven, high-performing individual whose success is rooted in insecurity and self-doubt. We'll explore how this psychological pattern manifests in both popular culture and professional environments, from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to high-profile law firms, to Simone Biles and the healthcare industry. We'll also discuss the importance of self-esteem, the dangers of relying on external validation, and practical steps to develop a healthy, balanced approach to achievement. Whether you're striving for success or seeking to understand your relationship with it, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice to help you achieve from a place of psychological strength.Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a Text Message.Prentis Hemphill is a writer, an embodiment facilitator, political organiser andtherapist. Prentis has offered embodied practice during moments of social unrest and organisational upheaval, serving as the Healing Justice Director of Black Lives Matter Global Network from 2016 to 2018.Their work and writing have appeared in the New York Times, and the Huffington Post.They are a contributor to “You are Your Best Thing”, edited by Tarana Burke andBrene Brown, “Holding Change” by adrienne maree brown, and “The Politics ofTrauma” by Staci Haines. They host the podcast “Becoming the People.” On this episode, we discuss their debut book “What it Takes to Heal”, released in the UK on 25 July 2024. We discuss what Prentis' practice of somatics in social movement organisations and with individuals can look like, why personal healing and social change need each other, and Prentis' hopes for the future.  Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Allen Frances is an American psychiatrist and psychotherapist. He is currently Professor Emeritus of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine. He is best known for serving as chair of the task force overseeing the development of the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).  Frances is the founding editor of two well-known psychiatric journals: the Journal of Personality Disorders and the Journal of Psychiatric Practice. He is also the author of Saving Normal (2013) and Twilight of American Sanity : A Psychiatrist Analyzes the Age of Trump (2017).Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, consultant psychiatrist. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

This week Alex dissects the 1999 Sam Mendes classic "American Beauty", exploring the lives of the Burnham family and their neighbors, delving into themes of suburban superficiality, repressed desires, and the search for meaning in modern life. We also discuss the process of personality growth and individuation, and why its so important to continuing growing psycholgoically across the lifespan. Dr. Alex Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Alex chats about how our backgrounds shape us and how we can use different ideas psychiatry, psychotherapy and philosophy to make sense of it all. We'll break down the idea that "It's not your fault but it is your responsibility," and explore how finding the right balance between acceptance and responsibility can help us lead better lives.Dr. Alex Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Alex chats about the distinctions between coaching and therapy through the lens of the "accelerator vs. brake" analogy. Whether you're trying to overcome a personal challenge, find a fulfilling career, or break a habit, understanding when to press the accelerator (taking action and making changes in the external world) versus when to release the brake (addressing internal psychological barriers) is crucial. In this episode we explore real-life examples, practical applications, and the delicate balance between inner work and outer action. Dr. Alex Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Psychotherapist Arie Winograd (LMFT) has spent the vast majority of his 25-year psychotherapy career treating clients with body dysmorphic disorder. He founded and was the director of the Los Angeles BDD & Body Image Clinic. He is the author of Face to Face with Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Psychotherapy and Clinical Insights. He currently works with BDD clients in his private practice. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, consultant psychiatrist. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Professor Anthony David trained in neurology before entering psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital in London. He was the Vice Dean for Academic Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) from 2013 to 2018. In 2018, Professor David joined University College London (UCL) as the Director of the Institute of Mental Health.He has a wide and diverse range of research interests, including schizophrenia, neuropsychiatry, medically unexplained syndromes, and neuroimaging. Professor David is the author of over 650 publications in peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals and has also co-authored several books. He also authored Into the Abyss: a neuropsychiatrist's notes on troubled minds: https://oneworld-publications.com/work/into-the-abyss/.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, consultant psychiatrist. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr. Benjiman Waterhouse is a consultant psychiatrist. He is also an award-winning stand-up comedian. He has written for the Guardian and Independent and was included in a list of ‘Inspiring Psychiatrists’ by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. You Don’t Have to Be Mad to Work Here, his first book, was released in May 2024In this episode we discuss the ups and downs of psychiatry training, his experiences with psychotherapy, common misconceptions about mental illness, some of the problems with modern psychiatry and our cultural understanding of mental illness , the potential value of psychedelics, the placebo effect and much more. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, consultant psychiatrist. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Professor Henry O’Connell is a Consultant Psychiatrist working in Portlaoise, Ireland and Associate Clinical Professor with the School of Medicine at the University of Limerick. Henry has a special interest in how principles of evolutionary psychology can be applied to psychiatry, mental health and illness and medical education. Henry was isthe founding chair of the college of psychiatrists of Ireland Evolutionary Psychiatry special interest group in 2021 . In 2022 he published his a textbook Evolution and Psychiatry: Clinical Cases.Useful links:https://irishpsychiatry.ie/members/special-interest-groups/evolution-and-psychiatry-special-interest-group/https://www.wpanet.org/evolutionary-psychiatry#https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/members/special-interest-groups/evolutionary-psychiatryhttps://substack.com/@epsig?r=2dzwd8&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profileToday we discuss among other topics:- What it means to take an evolutionary approach in psychiatry- The difference between proximate and ultimate causes of mental illness- The notion of evolutionary mismatch - Evolutionary perspectives on psychosis, anxiety, panic attacks, ADHD, bipolar disoderInterviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, consultant psychiatrist. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

What if the biggest obstacle in your way was yourself?  If this were true and it was something you took seriously, it would have major implications about the way you conducted yourself. It would also mean reflecting on your decisions, and the overarching patterns of your life might be one of the most important things you could do. Today we discuss the many routes to self-sabotage, including evolutionary reasons, fear of change,  the repetition compulsion and much more. Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

MJDorian is an artist, educator, podcast creator, and award winning composer. In 2018, MJ launched the podcast: Creative Codex, which he continues to write and produce. The show frequently appears in the top 100 charts globally in the genre of Arts. The mission of Creative Codex is to explore the mysteries of creative genius through narrative, sound design, and original music.Today we discuss who Carl Jung was, an overview of what he contributed to psychology, why he disagreed with Freud, the difference between Freudian & Jungian psychology, the Jungian interpretation of dreams, his apocalyptic visions, the Red Book, and much more. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, consultant psychiatrist. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

John E. Wisneski is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Rice University in Texas, where he teaches a course on Emotional Intelligence.  He is the recipient of numerous student-selected graduate teaching awards, including the 2017 Professor of the Year Award at the Kelley School of Business, and the 2018 Most Impactful Core Professor Award at the W.P. Carey School of Business. In 2020, he was recognized by Poets & Quants as a Favorite MBA Professor for the Class of 2020.Prior to pursuing a career in academia he consulted with numerous Fortune 100 companies including American Express, General Motors, Walgreens, and PepsiCo.Today we discuss emotional intelligence; how it can be defined, tested and improved. We also discuss the darker aspects of emotional intelligence, and the differences between emotional intelligence and manipulation. References:Barsade, S. G., & Gibson, D. E. (2007). Why does affect matter in organizations?. Academy of management perspectives, 21(1), 36-59. Cherniss, C. (2010). Emotional intelligence: Toward clarification of a concept. Industrial and organizational psychology, 3(2), 110-126.Grant, Adam. (2015). The dark side of emotional intelligence." Bizezia Limited.Caruso, D. R., & Salovey, P. (2004). The emotionally intelligent manager: How to develop and use the four key emotional skills of leadership. John Wiley & Sons.Caruso, D. & Rees, L. (2021). Developing your emotional intelligence skills. EI Skills GroupGoleman, D. (2005). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More than IQ. Bantam.You can access emotional intelligence assessments here: EI AssessmentsOur episode on the big five personality model:https://www.buzzsprout.com/277019/11581780-audio-essay-15-why-do-we-have-personalities.mp3?download=trueInterviewed by Dr Alex Curmi. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Andew Wilkinson is a dating coach and a Youtuber who specialises in helping men find and sustain  healthy relationships with women. You can learn more about Andrew and is work on his youtube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@HonestImprovementYTIn this episode we discuss the problems faced by men and women alike in dating, the potential harm of dating apps, the changing ethical landscape of dating, the looming problem of AI girlfriends, how to improve your ability to attract a partner, the value of getting rejected and much more. Interviewed by Dr Alex Curmi. Watch the full episode on Youtube:https://youtu.be/B1OBSa3QrmkIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

The Gender Identity Development service was the only gender identity clinic for people under the age of 18 in England and Wales. Operating since 1989, it was closed on March 28 2024. In today's episode we speak to Marcus Evans, who was previously on the board of governors for the service.  Marcus was also one of the whistleblowers (along with his wife Sue Evans) responsible for bringing the clinic under judicial review.Among other topics, today we discuss:  - The series of events which led to the clinic's closure - The problem with the gender affirmative model of approaching gender dysphoria - Psychoanalytic perspectives on gender dysphoria - Best practices for approaching gender dysphoria - The influences of politics and culture on healthcare - The recently published Cass report which outlined problems with the service and which provided reccomendations as to how such a service should be runMarucs Evans is a consultant psychotherapist with 40 years of experience in mental health as a practitioner, supervisor, lecturer, and manager, including at the Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust. He is a member of the British Psychoanalytical Society and the Institute of Psychoanalysis. Interviewed by Dr Alex Curmi. Watch the full podcast on youtube: https://youtu.be/kOCarWJL84AIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Mark L. Ruffalo, M.S.W., D.Psa., is a psychotherapist in private practice in Tampa, Florida, and serves as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and Adjunct Instructor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine. He has broad clinical experience in the psychoanalytic treatment of mood disorders, personality disorders, and psychosomatic illness, and has particular interest in the psychotherapy of schizophrenia. He is also the editor-in-chief of the Carlat Psychotherapy report. In today's episode we discuss borderline personality disorder, the most common symptoms and problems associated with the condition, how it is treated, the pros and cons of diagnosis and much more. His article on "double binds" in borderline personality disorder can be found here:https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/double-binds-in-borderline-communicationInterviewed by Dr Alex Curmi. Watch the full podcast on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDGzku4PqNQ If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Kat Brown is an author & journalist whose work on mental health stigma and other social and entertainment commentary has appeared in The Telegraph, The Times and The Guardian. Her first book, No One Talks About This Stuff, is an anthology sharing people’s untold experiences of infertility and baby loss. Her second book, It's Not A Bloody Trend: Understanding Life as an ADHD Adult, was published a month before her first, which is a ridiculousness she really enjoys.Interviewed by Dr Alex Curmi. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Rose Cartwright is an author and screenwriter. She is the author of the 2015 book Pure about her experiences with OCD which subsequently became a Channel 4 television show with the same name. She is also a screenwriter and executive story editor on the upcoming Netflix sci-fi series Three Body Problem . Her new book The Maps We Carry is out now https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-maps-we-carry/rose-cartwright/9780008591885.  Watch this podcast on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyECqiNNj_4In this episode Rose and Alex discuss her experiences including the pros and cons of the medical model, psychiatric diagnoses,  as well as Rose's experiences with meditation, psychedelics (such as psilocybin and MDMA) and trauma work. Interviewed by Dr Alex Curmi. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindDisclaimer: In this podcast we discuss self-experimentation with psychedelics, but we would strongly reccomend using medical supervision when using any kind of drug to manage your mental health.

Today we discuss prescription psychiatric medications as they are used for major mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and ADHD,  and we outline 8 principles as to how they can be used in a safe rational way. See 13th edition of the Maudsley guidelines here: https://www.clinicaltoolkit.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/9781119442608.pdfAudio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Robin Ince is a comedian, author, broadcaster and a populariser of scientific ideas. He is best known as the co-host of the BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage with Professor Brian Cox. He also co-hosts the podcast Book Shambles with Josie Long, An Uncanny Hour and Science Shambles with Dr Helen Czerski, all three of which are a part of The Cosmic Shambles Network. His most recent books are I'm a Joke and So Are You, The Importance of Being Interested – Adventures in Scientific Curiosity, and Bibliomaniac: An Obsessive’s Tour of the Bookshops of Britain.Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova and Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

W. Keith Campbell, PhD is a nationally-recognized expert on narcissism, personality, and cultural change.  is the author of more than 200 papers and several books including the latest, The New Science of Narcissism. You can learn more about Dr. Campbell's work here:https://www.wkeithcampbell.com/aboutInterviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Caffeine is a central nervous stimulant and one of the most widely consumed drugs in the world. Today Alex, Anya and Rebecca discuss caffeine, their experiences trying to cut down and stop their use of caffeine, the withdrawal symptoms they experienced and how they plan to use caffeine in the future. They also discuss how caffeine acts on the brain and how it may impact us psychologically.Dr. Alex Curmi, Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson and Dr. Anya Borissova are all practising psychiatrists and members of the royal college of psychiatry (MRCPsych). Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

In today's episode we discuss how you can come to understand the psychology of your culture, your society and your zeitgiest, and how this can help you when you are trying to determine your own values.In particular we describe three virtues upheld by Western culture; Freedom, Happiness & Convenience, and we discuss the benefits and dark sides of each. Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Gestalt Psychotherapy is an often under-discussed, yet widely practiced form of therapy that was developed in the 40s and 50s by a psychoanalyst Fritz Perls, his wife Laura Perls and Paul Goodman. Gestalt therapy came to prominence during the counterculture movement of the 60s and focused on an individual's experience of the present moment, their relationship with their therapist, and the psychological adjustments people make in response to their environmental and social context.Today, on the podcast to discuss Gestalt psychotherapy is Sarah Paul. Sarah is a tutor of humanistic psychotherapy at the Metanoia institute in London, a UKCP registered gestalt psychotherapist and a certified couples counsellor. She has been working with people therapeutically for more than 15 years and aside from her psychotherapy experience, she is also experienced in working with individuals with severe mental health difficulties, homelessness and substance misuse problems.In today’s episode we discuss Gestalt psychotherapy, its historical origins, some of the core principles of the Gestalt approach, its strengths and weaknesses, the barriers people have to changing, Sarah’s own approach to psychotherapy, some of the challenges of training as a therapist, and much more.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, a consultant psychiatrist and UKCP registered trainee psychotherapist - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Andy Laithwaite is an actor and the co-founder of The Actor Inside, a company which delivers training to companies and organizations on public speaking and performance.Using the lessons learned from drama training Andy and his team help people to improve improvisational skills and and on the spot problem-solving, develop better vocal presence, gain composure in front of an audience and improve listening, collaboration and leadership skills.In addition Andy also dose 1:1 coaching to provide a more individualized approach to manging anxiety in performance situations, handling burnout and becoming more authentic when relating to others. In this episode we discuss:The fear of public speaking and some evolutionary reasons why this fear is so common.What  acting and psychotherapy have in common.The importance of spontaneity.Andy’s approach to helping people improve their performance skills.Why trying to hard and self-criticism can become self-sabotaging behaviours.The importance of authenticity when communicating.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr. Russell Ramsay is a co-founder of the Penn Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program, and served as professor of clinical psychology in the department of psychiatry of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.He is author of Nonmedication Treatments for Adult ADHD (2010); Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adult ADHD (with Dr. Anthony Rostain, 2015) and The Adult ADHD Tool Kit (also with Dr. Anthony Rostain, 2015). His most recent book is Rethinking Adult ADHD: Helping Clients Turn Intentions into Actions (2020). In addition he has a popular blog on psychology today, rethinking adult ADHD. In today’s episode we discuss: - Misconceptions people have about ADHD - What it is like to have ADHD - What kind of impairments it can cause - Medication based treatments for ADHD, their effectiveness and safety  - And how you can approach ADHD treatment psychologicallyInterviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Helen Fisher is a Biological Anthropologist, is a Senior Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute and Chief Science Advisor to the Internet dating site Match.com.She is the author of several books including the Anatomy of Love, Why We love: The Nature And Chemistry Of Romantic Love and The First Sex: The Natural Talents Of Women And How They Are Changing The World. Her Ted Talks on YouTube, The Brain in Love and Why We love Why We Cheat, have been viewed a combined 3 million times.In this episode we discuss romantic love, the biological and evolutionary relevance of love, what makes two brains romantically compatible, online dating, the differences between how men and women choose partner, whats different about Gen Z and how they are approaching love and much more.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Vincent Deary is a practitioner health psychologist and professor of health psychology at Northumbria University, where his research focuses on the development of new psychosocial interventions for people with a variety of health issues, including cancer survivors and the elderly. Vincent worked as a clinician in the UK's first transdiagnostic Fatigue Clinic, he worked as part of a multidisciplinary team to help people with disabling fatigue.He is the author of How We Are and How we Break, the first two books in a planned trilogy.In this episode we discuss his in particular his second book How We Break, all about chronic stress and what causes people to become fatigued and exhausted. We also discuss the different demands people face particularly in modern life, the different between real rest and distraction, the problem with caffeine, how people can form new habits, the importance of self-acceptance and self-understanding, and much moreInterviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about a psychotherapy appointment (online) with Dr. Alex, you can email - [email protected] Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

What if you are focusing on the wrong things? In this podcast we discuss the concept of selective attention and focus, why we have selective attention, how this interacts with our beliefs and expectations, how it can hold us back unconsciously, and how we can make conscious changes to help move us forward. Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Professor Dr Brendon Stubbs is a clinical-academic physiotherapist whose research focuses on physical activity and mental health and the mind-body interface. Brendon has published over 500 International academic papers. Brendon was lead author of the recently published European Psychiatric Association guidelines on the use of exercise for mental health and senior author on a recent Lancet commission to improve the physical health of people with mental health conditions. Interviewed by  Dr. Anya Borissova.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Professor Sir Simon Baron Cohen is a Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, and Director of the Autism Centre at Cambridge University. He is the author of 600 scientific articles and 4 books, including Zero Degrees of Empathy and the Pattern Seekers.  He created the first UK clinic for adults suspected to have Asperger's syndrome that has helped over 1000 patients have their disability recognised.  He was chair of the Nice guideline development group for Adults with Autism and was chair of the psychology section of the British Academy. Interviewed by Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Sheldon Solomon is an American social psychologist. He is a professor of psychology at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. Solomon is best known for developing terror management theory, along with Jeff Greenberg and Tom Pyszczynski. This theory is concerned with how humans deal with their own sense of mortality.Today we talk all about existential themes and how our mortality affects our psychology.We also discuss - the concept of death anxiety and terror management theory in some depth, the relationship between mortality and the meaning we extract from our lives, the right way to approach our mortality to improve our mental health, the relationship between death anxiety and political attitudes,the importance of self-esteem in getting through the ups and downs of life and many other topicsInterviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

As the New Year approaches, we decided to make a short podcast all about endings, the importance of endings in psychotherapy, and how to orient yourself towards endings (small and large) in your own life.Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

This week the team is taking a much deserved break for the holidays, but we are re-posting this 2021 episode where Anya and Alex discuss the psychological significance and historical origins of Christmas, as well as other similar celebrations around the world. They also discuss: nostalgia, social cohesion, why you shouldn't try and change your relatives minds over Turkey, loneliness, New Years resolutions and much more.From the Thinking Mind  team Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!With Dr. Anya Borissova and Dr. Alex CurmiGive feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Professor Nav Kapur is an academic psychiatrist, working at Manchester University and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. He leads the suicide work programme of the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health.We discuss the epidemiology of suicide and self-harm, how to think about prevention from both the societal and individual person perspective, the complexity of thinking about causes/factors that increase risk, the idea of zero suicide, impact of the Covid pandemic, the new NICE guidelines on self-harm and some practical guidance on helpful approaches to working with people experiencing suicidal thoughts.  Crisis services and helplines: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/crisis-services/helplines-listening-services/Interviewed by  Dr. Anya Borissova.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

In this week's podcast we examine Narcissism through the lens of Napoleon and other characters in film. We explore, the different ways narcissism can manifest itself (including malignant, grandiose, covert & communal) and some of the psychological mechanisms underlying narcissism. We also discuss how narcissism can distort your psychology and your life path and how you can combat this. Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr. Anna Lembke is a psychiatrist and author. She is the Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic at Stanford University and is the author of the New York Times bestseller Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence.Today we discuss- Dopamine and the different psychological functions it serves - Different addictive behaviours ranging from drugs to alcohol to social media and how they affect can our mental health - The relationship between pleasure and pain and how they are intimately tied together- How you can re-sensitise yourself to dopamine- The process of recovering from an addiction- The importance of an overarching life philosophy when trying to manage an addictive behaviourInterviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindIf you're interested in booking Dr. Alex for a psychiatry appointment you can do so here: https://psychiatry-uk.com/nproject/dr-alex-curmi-md-mrcpsych/

In this week's podcast we discuss seven common misconceptions about psychotherapy, and these include:Only people with a psychiatric diagnosis can benefit from therapyTherapists have all the answers and will tell you what to doTherapy is only for long-term issues; it can't help with short-term problemsTherapy is just about talking, which doesn’t accomplish anythingTherapy is just about making excuses for your problemsOnly "weak" people seek therapy; it's a sign of personal failureTherapy is about dwelling in childhood and the pastGive feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindIf you're interested in booking Dr. Alex for a psychiatry appointment you can do so here: https://psychiatry-uk.com/nproject/dr-alex-curmi-md-mrcpsych/

On today's episode we discuss novel injectable weight loss drugs (GLP-1 agonists) such as Ozempic and Mounjaro. To discuss these drugs, we are in conversation with Dr. Michael Camilleri, a gastroenterologist from the Mayo Clinic who is specifically interested in how the gastrointestinal motility, obesity, diabetes, appetite, irritable bowel syndrome and related topics. He himself has overseen patients on these drugs and participated in research investigating these medications.  Today we discuss which of these medications Dr. Camilleri thinks are likely to become dominant, how these drugs work, their known side effects and safety profiles, in what situations these drugs are likely to be prescribed, what kind of results you can expect, unexpected benefits and drawbacks and how they may be affecting the brain.  Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindIf you're interested in booking Dr. Alex for a psychiatry appointment you can do so here: https://psychiatry-uk.com/nproject/dr-alex-curmi-md-mrcpsych/

How do you a sustain a relationship past the honeymoon phase? Why is falling in love overrated? What practices and mindsets can help you build a strong relationship?Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.How and Why to Engage in Conflict:https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-why-to-engage-in-conflict-audio-essay-11/id1466932169?i=1000552900055Exploring Your Dark Sidehttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/going-over-to-the-dark-side-shadow-work/id1466932169?i=1000634716280Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Jeremy Thomas is a public speaker and author. He is the author of two novels, Taking Leave, and the Santa Monica Suicide Club . He’s also co-written two books about mental health with Dr. Tony Hughes, the A-Z Guide to Mental Health and You Don't Have to Be Famous to Have Manic Depression.In 2006 Jeremy and Tony co-produced a documentary about bipolar disorder, the Secret Life of the Manic Depressive starring Stephen Fry,  Jo Brand, Carrie Fisher and many others.  This is the first part of a two part podcast where we talk about Jeremy’s fascinating life story and his lived experience of bipolar disorder.Today we discuss Jeremy's experiences running a record label in London in 1979, some of the dangers of success, what it’s like to have depression, Jeremy’s struggle with suicidal thoughts, what it’s like to have a manic episode and just how easily depression can switch into mania if you have bipolar disorder. We also discuss just how hard it can be for someone to realize they’re unwell when they’re in the midst of a manic episode.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Everyone has a dark side, what does yours look like? What happens when people have a dark side they have no control over? In this podcast we discuss Carl Jung's idea of the shadow; how can you explore your dark side and integrate it into your personality, to help you solve some of life's toughest challenges. Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Jeremy Thomas is a public speaker and author. He is the author of two novels, Taking Leave, and the Santa Monica Suicide Club . He’s also co-written two books about mental health with Dr. Tony Hughes, the A-Z Guide to Mental Health and You Don't Have to Be Famous to Have Manic Depression.In 2006 Jeremy and Tony co-produced a documentary about bipolar disorder, the Secret Life of the Manic Depressive starring Stephen Fry,  Jo Brand, Carrie Fisher and many others.  This is the first part of a two part podcast where we talk about Jeremy’s fascinating life story and his lived experience of bipolar disorder.Today we discuss Jeremy's experiences running a record label in London in 1979, some of the dangers of success, what it’s like to have depression, Jeremy’s struggle with suicidal thoughts, what it’s like to have a manic episode and just how easily depression can switch into mania if you have bipolar disorder. We also discuss just how hard it can be for someone to realize they’re unwell when they’re in the midst of a manic episode. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

What is a story? In this week's audioessay we discuss the role of stories in our psychology, how mental narratives can keep us stuck and how we can start to develop more ownership over the stories of our lives. In particular we discuss ideas like transference, cognitive distortions & the life script to illustrate this further. Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Professor Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard is a British medical academic and a medical general practitioner. She is Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges a GP principal and Chair of the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP). She was Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) from November 2016 to November 2019.In this episode Anya and Helen discuss the impact of loneliness, lack of meaning and spiritual needs can impact people's mental and physical health. They also discuss different means these problems can be addressed, including the concept of social prescribing. Interviewed by  Dr. Anya Borissova.National Academy for Social Prescribing website: https://socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/resources/If you’re interested in becoming a link worker: 1.https://www.nalw.org.uk/2.https://www.england.nhs.uk/personalisedcare/workforce-and-training/social-prescribing-link-workers/Prevention is better than cure podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/prevention-is-the-new-cure/id1673584286Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Whether you are aware of it or not, your brain is constantly making predictions - and these predictions have an enormous influence on your beliefs, expectations and overall experience of life. In this week's podcast we explore the predictive processing framework and how this helps us understand our emotions, decision making, confidence, common mental health problems and even gambling. Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Intro Excerpt from: The Matrix (1999)Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Today Alex and Rebecca chat with British comedy legend Jo Brand. They discuss comedy, Jo's first time on stage, political correctness, Jo's career working in a psychiatric emergency clinic, misconceptions about mental health and many other topics. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi with Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

What is the drama triangle? What can it tell us about conflict and dysfunctional relationships?  In this episode we explore the roles of Persecutor, Rescuer and Victim -  what they mean, and how they enable toxic relationships. We also explore the healthier, more sustainable alternatives.Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Intro Excerpt from: Liar, Liar (1997)Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Daniel Fryer is a Bristol based psychotherapist and author. In this podcast we discuss his book, the Four Thoughts that F*ck You Up, based on the principles of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy. We also discuss hypnotherapy, the barriers to change, self-sabotage, psychedelics and much more.You can learn more about his work including his book here:https://www.danielfryer.com/ Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

When things are constantly changing, how should you know when you should add something new into your life, or subtract something? Should you leave your job and start a new career, or try and make it work? How do you know when a relationship has run it's course? What are the hidden costs of some of life's biggest decisions? In this week's audio-essay we look at life decisions through the lens of Creation, Destruction and Maintenance. Intro Excerpt from: Donnie Darko (2001)Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

When you're faced with difficulties in life, how often do you consider taking something away, rather than adding on something new? Professor Leidy Klotz takes on this counter-intuitive idea in his 2021 book Subtract .Professor Klotz is a Professor at the University of Virginia who studies the science of design, and his work exists at the cross section between design, sustainability and the science of decision making.In addition to his book Leidy’s is extensively published in the scientific literature and his research has appeared in both Nature and Science. Leidy is a frequent guest on interview programs including Hidden Brain, Freakonomics, NPR, and for The Atlantic. His writing has appeared in outlets such as The Washington Post, Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, and Scientific American. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

What can psychotherapy tell us about the importance of free speech? In this episode we explore how free speech promotes psychological health, and the parallels between the health of the individual and the health of wider society. Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Intro Excerpt from: George Carlin - Doin' it Again (1990)Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr. Gad Saad is a marketing professor at the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University. He is known for applying evolutionary psychology to marketing and consumer behaviour. He has his own podcast, the Saad truth and has been a frequent guest on other podcasts such as the Joe Rogan experience, the Sam Harris Making Sense podcast and the Rubin Report. He's the author of several books including: The Evolutionary Basis of Consumption, The Consuming Instinct and The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense.  His most recent book is The Saad Truth about Happiness , which combines his life experiences, ancient wisdom and what psychological science can tell us about the path to happiness In this episode we discuss some of the ideas from his latest book, in particular Dr. Saad’s advice about how to design a career and how to choose a long term partner. We also discuss some of the fundamentals of evolutionary psychology and the surprising amount of challenge that still exists towards these ideas. Dr. Saad outlines many compelling scientific and anthropological arguments as to why we should be taking evolutionary psychology seriously.You can find Dr. Saad's latest book here: https://shorturl.at/afL15Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

What is unhealthy self-criticism? How can you tell if this is something that's holding you back? In this episode we discuss unhealthy self-criticism in depth, how it may have come about and how it may be holding you back. In addition we discuss six practical steps that can be taken to address it.Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Intro Excerpt from: Lost in Translation (Directed by Sofia Coppola)The meditations discussed can be found here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6JKqFI7DCvBjzcvDEK5RSG?si=afa00ab39d78495fhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/01JExbQcJMLNttjxu11I5L?si=22abeae913864ad6Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Professor Ian Robertson is a neuroscientist and clinical psychologist, and Professor of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin. He is also known as a leading researcher as to how an individual may harness the attention system to enhance one's autonomy over emotions and thinking. He's the author of several books including: The Winner Effect: How Power Affects Your Brain,  The Stress Test: How Pressure Can and Make you Stronger and Sharper and  How Confidence works, the New Science of Self-belief. In today’s episode we discuss, the danger of over-emphasising the genetic influences on our psychology, how your environment can shape your psychology and the ways in which a psychiatric view on mental health can be limiting. We also discuss confidence, the main components of confidence, the difference between confidence, optimism and self-esteem, the obesity crisis, the opioid crisis and much more.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

When you're going through difficulties, why not borrow ideas from some of the wisest people in history? In this episode we discuss ideas from various schools of philosophical thought including Stoicism, Buddhism, Deontology and Existentialism, and how they can be applied to everyday problems. Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Intro Excerpt from: Monty Python's the Meaning of Life (Directed by Terry Gilliam)The meditations discussed can be found here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6JKqFI7DCvBjzcvDEK5RSG?si=afa00ab39d78495fhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/01JExbQcJMLNttjxu11I5L?si=22abeae913864ad6Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr Amit D. Mistry is a consultant sports psychiatrist, with a specialism in eating disorders and athlete mental health. Dr Amit D Mistry is chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) Sport & Exercise Group. He is the mental health advisor to Oxford University Sport and Consultant Sport Psychiatrist to the English Cricket Board (ECB) Women's XI national side. He is the editor of “Case Studies in Sports Psychiatry”. In today's episode we discuss what a psychiatrist working with athletes does, approaches to treatment and how these are similar/different to general psychiatry, how interested doctors can get involved, as well as more specialist topics like exercise addiction and eating disorders.Resources mentioned: https://movingmedicine.ac.uk/https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/members/special-interest-groups/sport-and-exercisehttps://twitter.com/rcpsych_SEPSIG?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorInterviewed by  Dr. Anya Borissova.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Why is modern success so different from success in our ancestral world? What mental skills put you ahead of the world in 2023? What is the difference between a real and artificial reward? Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.The guide to long term behaviour change can be found here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0uryIvA9bVvk9osHh2SmKG?si=32523586f8f64b74Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

​​Dr. Randy Nesse is a evolutionary psychiatrist, he is one of the founders of his field and his work has revolutionized our understanding of how evolution shapes our physical and mental health.  He isProfessor Emeritus at the Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology at the University of Michigan. He is also the Founding President of The International Society for Evolution, Medicine, and Public HealthHe is the author of several books, including "Why We Get Sick" and "Good Reasons for Bad Feelings". You can find a full list of Dr. Nesse's books here: https://www.randolphnesse.com/booksIn today’s episode we discuss how Natural Selection has shaped our psychology, the evolutionary rationale underlying anxiety and low mood, Dr. Nesse's concepts of social traps and the "smoke detector principle",  how depression is not just one condition, why we have emotions, why men die earlier than women and much more.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Fear and Laziness are two of the most common obstacles between you and what you want. Why are Fear and Laziness such a big part of the human condition? What can you do about it? In this episode we take an evolutionary psychology approach to understanding these phenomena, with some practical guidance to overcoming them. Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant General Adult Psychiatrist who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust, in addition he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Intro Excerpt from: Waking Life (Directed by Richard Linklater)Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr. Nolan Williams is a Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University and the Director of the Stanford Brain Stimulation Lab.  He is triple certified in psychiatry, neurology and neuropsychiatry.  Dr. Williams' work has resulted in an FDA clearance for the world's first non-invasive, rapid-acting neuromodulation approach for treatment-resistant depression. He has published papers in high-impact peer-reviewed journals including Brain, American Journal of Psychiatry, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.In today's episode we discuss the Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy for treatment resistant depression, the differences between neurology and psychiatry, the first randomised trial in medicine, the problem with the chemical imbalance theory of depression, the suppression of psychedelics research, and the potential utility of psychedelics such as psilocybin, ketamine, MDMA and ibogaine.You can learn more about Dr. Williams here:https://profiles.stanford.edu/nolan-williamsInterviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Chris Ryan is a podcaster and author. He holds a PhD in psychology and is the author of two books: Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What it Means for Modern Relationships and Civilized to Death: The Price of Progress. He is the host of the Tangentially Speaking podcast and has made frequent appearances on the Joe Rogan Experience and the Duncan Trussel Family Hour Podcast.You can learn more about his work here: https://chrisryanphd.com/ Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

This week Anya chats with Dr Akeem Sule and  Dr. Omer Hamour about what we can learn about psychiatry, psychology and human nature from the hit HBO television show the Sopranos.Dr. Akeem Sule is a Wolfson College Research Associate and a Consultant Psychiatrist in General Adult Psychiatry at the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and the co-founder of the Hip Hop Psych movement. Dr. Hamour is a graduate of the unversity of Edinburgh and a junior psychiatrist in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. Interviewed by  Dr. Anya Borissova.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Shaun Flores is a mental health advocate and public speaker with lived experience of OCD. He has given three TEDx talks in 2018, 2022 and 2023 about education, men's mental health and the potential value of using psychedelics to treat mental health conditions. In addition Shaun is a freelance journalist with published work in various online publications such as The Metro, Inews, South West Londoner, The Common Sense Network & Jacamo’s The Book of Man.Interviewed by Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Jack Arbuthnott is a producer know for his crowd-sourced documentaries Life in a Day and Life in a Day 2020.  His other credits include The Aftermath, Mindhorn, Lords Of Chaos, and Asif Kapadia's VR short Laika. He was previously a development executive at BBC Films and the UK Film Council, beginning his career at New Line Cinema / Fine Line Features. He is a graduate of the UK’s National Film & Television School and Oxford University.He is currently the Director and Producer of I HOPE THIS HELPS, a crowd sourced documentary about mental health.To find out how you can take part in the documentary go here:https://ihopethishelpsfilm.com/ Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr. Suzanne O'Sullivan is a neurologist specializing in psychosomatic medicine.  O'Sullivan gained recognition for her expertise in diagnosing and treating epilepsy and in improving services for people who suffer with functional neurological disorders.  She is the author of three books: It's All in Your Head: True Stories of Imaginary Illness, Brainstorm: The Detective Stories from the World of Neurology and The Sleeping Beauties and Other Stories of Mystery Illness.Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova with Dr. Alex Curmi. Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Cathryn Lewis, a Professor of Genetic Epidemiology and Statistics at King's College London, holds the position of Head of Department at the Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience.In this episode, we engage in an in-depth discussion on how our genetics influence the development of various mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. We explore the significance of mathematics and statistics in enhancing our comprehension of these conditions. Moreover, we delve into the potential role of genetic testing in treating these conditions as our understanding of genetics evolves over time. Additionally, we examine how genetics impact aspects of our psychology that we can all relate to, such as personalities. Lastly, we explore the qualities that contribute to a successful career in science and what characteristics define an exceptional scientist.You can watch this interview on YouTube! -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jtoLRmC5F4&t=2227sInterviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr Garr is a GP working in Nottingham and is one of the medical directors for NHS Practitioner Health. This is a free, confidential, NHS primary care mental health service with very specific expertise in treating health and care professionals.   Dr Garr is a leader in the field of healthcare professional wellbeing and burnout. For more information or to find out about referring yourself to NHS Practitioner Health, visit: https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk/ or https://canopi.nhs.wales/ in Wales.Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Professor Robin Dunbar is a British anthropologist and evolutionary psychologist and a specialist in primate behaviour. He is currently head of the Social and Evolutionary Neuroscience Research Group in the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford. He is best known for formulating Dunbar's number, a measurement of the "cognitive limit to the number of individuals with whom any one person can maintain stable relationships".He is the author of many books including Friends: Understanding the Power of our Most Important Relationships which we discuss today. Interviewed by Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson with Dr. Alex Curmi.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Eli Zaretsky is Professor of History at The New School for Social Research. He has taught at Lang College since 1999. His interests are in twentieth century cultural history, the theory and history of capitalism (especially its social and cultural dimensions), and the history of the family. His most recent book is Political Freud, published in 2015 by Cambridge University Press. His earlier work includes Secrets of the Soul: A Social and Cultural History of Psychoanalysis and Why America Needs a Left.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindSpecial Thanks to www.wearegoat.com (insta: @wearegoat_official)  for our new logo and art work! 

Dr. David Spiegel is an American psychiatrist and Associate Chair of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he is known for his research into psycho-oncology; the neurobiology of therapeutic hypnosis, and the role of the mind-brain-body connection in the management of various conditions.  He directs the Stanford Center on Stress and Health and is a recognized authority on hypnosis's clinical utility and neuroscience.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindSpecial Thanks to www.wearegoat.com (insta: @wearegoat_official)  for our new logo and art work! 

*Announcement! From April 14th 2023 the Maudsley Learning Podcast will be changing its name to The Thinking Mind Podcast and will have a completely new look! Make sure you follow or subscribe on your podcast player to avoid missing any new episodes!*Special Thanks to https://www.wearegoat.com for our new logo and art work! Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

As head of operations for the Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) Foundation in the UK, Kitty Wallace supports sufferers and their families, raises awareness of the condition and much more. But she’s also had her own experience of living with BDD. Her story shows that recovery may not always be a straight line, but it’s always possible. Find out more on the BDD Foundation website https://bddfoundation.org/.Interviewed by Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

This week Alex meets with Lisa, a CBT therapist at the Anxiety Disorders Residential Unit. The ADRU specialises in severe cases of anxiety conditions such as social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). The patients at the ADRU undergo an intensive 12 to 16 week residential programme with the goal of helping them understand their condition and develop better coping strategies to help manage their condition in their day-to-day lives. Alex and Lisa discuss how the ADRU works, what a patient there is likely to expect, the value of cognitive behaviour therapy as well as compassion focused therapy, the role of trauma in these conditions and how these conditions can be viewed holistically. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

This week Anya chats with Alex and Rebecca about what training in psychiatry is like: why it's a rewarding speciality to choose for your medical career, what makes it challenging, how to carve out your own unique career path and good mindsets to adopt around helping people with mental health difficulties. Alex, Anya and Rebecca are all medical doctors and currently training psychiatrists within the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. Interviewed by  Dr. Anya Borissova - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

In this week's episode Anya and Alex speak to Natalie Ertl (@NatalieErtl1) who is currently a research assistant at Invicro and PhD candidate at Imperial College London, specialising in functional MRI applications in psychopharmacology. With Natalie is Dr Matt Wall (@m_wall) who is a psychologist, cognitive neuroscientist and fMRI specialist at Invicro and Imperial College London researching cannabis, psychedelics, sex hormones and addiction.We talk about current understanding of what happens in the brain with sex and sexual desire, and current theories on what might contribute to difficulties with sexual desire or enjoying sex. From there, we find out what kind of drugs are being tested and how researching sexual function works. And what discussion about sex would be complete without a mention of Freud? We hope you enjoy!  Further reading on the studies mentioned: Bremelanotide (women): https://www.jci.org/articles/view/152341Kisspeptin (women):  https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2797718?resultClick=3Kisspeptin (men):https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2800937Interviewed by  Dr. Anya Borissova with Dr. Alex Curmi  Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

On our fourth lived experience episode Alex sits down with Katie to talk about her experiences getting treatment from the mental health system, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy,  Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), crisis visits to A & E and medication. They also discuss issues around diagnosis (including depression, anxiety, autism and emotionally unstable personality disorder). They talk about what helped Katie made deeper meaningful change and how this has put her in a position where she can now help others.Disclaimer: The benefits and drawbacks of different forms of therapy and medication are discussed in this conversation, but should not be taken as reccomendations for any one individual listener. Rather, the goal is to help the listener become more aware of different forms of treatment to inform their discussions with their healthcare providers. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi.Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Rose Cartwright is an author and screenwriter. She is the author of the 2015 book Pure about her experiences with OCD which subsequently became a Channel 4 television show with the same name. She is also a screenwriter and executive story editor on the upcoming Netflix sci-fi series Three Body Problem .  In this episode Rose and Alex discuss her experiences including the pros and cons of the medical model, as well as Rose's experiences with meditation, psychedelics and trauma work. You can find Rose's book Pure here:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43814840-pureInterviewed by Dr Alex CurmiGive feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Kimberley Wilson is a psychologist, author and visiting lecturer working in private practice in central London. She's a Governor of the Tavistock & Portman NHS Mental Health Trust and the former Chair of the British Psychological Society's Training Committee in Counselling Psychology. Kimberley's first book How to Build a Healthy Brain  explored how to look after both physical and mental well-being. She hosts Stronger Minds, a podcast on topics such as food, lifestyle, psychology and mental health. She's appeared on various TV shows including GMB and was a Great British Bake Off finalist. Her next book Unprocessed is set to be released in February 2023. Interviewed by Dr Rebecca Wilkinson with Dr. Alex Curmi Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

In this episode we chose some of our favourite podcast moments from 2022. Happy New Year from the Thinking Mind Podcast team and we look forward to bringing you more content in 2023!00:00 - Interview #37: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (With Prof. David Veale) 00:42 - Audio Essay #10: A New Years Resolution that Works (Long-term Behaviour Change)01:28 - Interview #29: The Speakmans - Changing your Perspective to Change your Life02:19 - Interview #35: Dr. Alex George (on Love Island, Public Mental Health, Self-Actualisation, Learning from Failure)04:05 - Interview #31: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (with Dr Charles Shepherd)04:38 - Interview #43: How Does Therapy Work? (with Dr. Martha Stark)06:18 - Lived Experience #2: Psychosis (with Ad Gridley)07:24 - Interview #38: Addiction, the Opioid Epidemic and How to Save Lives (with Professor Sir John Strang)08:57 - Interview #39: Stop Being Nice (Dating & Relationships with Dr. Robert Glover)11:38 - Interview #42: More about Cannabis - Adolescents, Legalisation, Psychosis (with Professor Valerie Curran and Dr Will Lawn)12:39 - Lived Experience #3: Anorexia Nervosa13:44 - Interview #41: Attachment, Dating, Relationships, Marriage & Psychotherapy (with Adam Lane Smith)16:20 - Bonus: Why Perfectionism is your Enemy18:19 - Interview #40: Psychiatry in a Time of War (With Dr. Natalia Pidkalyuk)19:16 - Interview #36: Providing Drug and Alcohol Treatment and its Challenges (with Dr. Emmert Roberts)20:05- Audio Essay #15: Why Do We Have Personalities?20:51 - Interview #34: Eating Disorders (with Professor Janet Treasure)21:41 - Interview #33: Dr. Richard Miller Part 2 - Ayahuasca, Cannabis, Ketamine, Existential Responsibility, PsychotherapyGive feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

What is Imposter Syndrome? How does it come about? What are some strategies that can help people deal with it?Bonus Episode by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a specialist registrar in General Adult psychiatry in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Self-Compassion Exercise:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_80y_CT32c&t=589sGive feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr. Martha Stark is a graduate of Harvard Medical School and the Boston Psychoanalytic Institute. She is an Adult and Child Psychiatrist and Integrative Psychoanalyst in private practice in Boston, Massachusetts. Martha is an award-winning author of nine highly acclaimed books on psychoanalytic theory and technique – several of which have become required reading for students in various  psychotherapy training programs around the world.Additional Reading:https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/335353.Modes_of_Therapeutic_Actionhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/332792.Toward_a_Psychology_of_BeingGive feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

This week, Anya and Alex speak to Professor Valerie Curran and Dr Will Lawn about their research into the effects of cannabis on adolescents. We discuss some surprising results from their recently completed study, CannTeen, that are contributing to making our understanding of what happens when a developing brain is exposed to cannabis more nuanced. We talk about what happens when adolescents and adults receive different doses of THC and CBD in an MRI scanner. We find out if science has confirmed the munchies?! We hear about some cannabis myths that are being busted. We also think about how science can inform our discussions around the legalisation/decriminalisation of cannabis.  Professor Val Curran founded and directed the Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit at UCL, she is a clinical psychologist. She’s had an illustrious career researching the psychological effects of drugs such as MDMA, stimulants, ketamine and cannabis on our brains. Dr Will Lawn is a psychology lecturer at King’s College London, with research interests spanning cannabis and opioid overdose, as well as ketamine, cigarettes and addiction more broadly.  He previously worked as a post-doctoral researcher coordinating the CannTeen project that we’ll discuss today, and conducting research into different addictions and treatments.Further Reading on the CanTeen Study:https://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychopharmacology/trials/cannteen Interviewed by  Dr. Anya BorissovaGive feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

How is Perfectionism best understood? Why does it actually hold you back?Bonus Episode by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a specialist registrar in General Adult psychiatry in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Further Reading:https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/perfectionism#:~:text=Perfectionism%20is%20often%20defined%20as,describe%20or%20justify%20perfectionistic%20behavior.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Adam Lane Smith is a psychotherapist, coach and author. In this episode we discuss: dating, attachment, relationship problems, marriage, psychotherapy and much more. You can find out more about Adam and his work here:Website: AdamLaneSmith.comInstagram: @AttachmentAdamTikTok: @AttachmentBroYoutube: @AdamLaneSmith   Twitter: @TheBrometheusInterviewed by Dr Alex CurmiGive feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

What is a Personality? How should we think about our Personalities? How can you expand your Personality? Audio-essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a specialist registrar in General Adult psychiatry in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Further Reading:https://www.simplypsychology.org/big-five-personality.htmlGive feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

This is an audio-essay about three unhelpful thinking habits, or cognitive distortions, where we think about some examples, why these ways of thinking are unhelpful and what we can do about them.There are many other unhelpful thinking habits or cognitive distortions that CBT guides us to think about - here are some links to some helpful websites to read: https://web.stanford.edu/~nanbhas/blog/understanding-cognitive-distortions/ https://www.verywellmind.com/ten-cognitive-distortions-identified-in-cbt-22412 You can also check out the short book ‘10 Steps to Positive Living’ by Windy Dryden. Audio-essay by   Dr. Anya Borissova. Dr Borissova is an academic core trainee psychiatrist in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and researching improvements in treating depression.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

In our third lived experience episode Rebecca speaks with Ella about her experiences with Anorexia: how it started, the effects it had on her thinking, how it affected her family life and her process of recovery. Interviewed by Dr Rebecca WilkinsonGive feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Ad Gridley was 18 when he had his first cannabis joint while on a gap year in Canada. He had no idea his choices then would – most likely – be the trigger for a 15-year unremitting, downward spiral that would see him diagnosed with schizophrenia and make multiple suicide attempts. He now lectures about his experiences and is the author of the book "The Geographer: The Descent into Madness". In addition Ad hosts two podcasts, Ad Gridleys Movie Sushi and Poetry Cafe. The link to his book and podcasts can be found on http://adgridley.com/.Interviewed by Dr Alex Curmi Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr Pidkalyuk is a Ukrainian psychiatrist. Dr Pidkalyuk has worked as a psychiatrist since 2004, and with local government set up a centre for stress disorders in the local polyclinic. In 2021, Dr Pidkalyuk set up and with a team runs an NGO for stress disorders - ‘The Institute of Psychosomatics and Trauma-therapy’ in Khmelnytskyi in Ukraine. Since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, this has been supported by the Czech organisation ‘People in Need’. They provide consultations, support groups and treatment to people affected by trauma and experiencing stress disorders. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Dr Pidkalyuk and the Institute have become a hub for many Ukrainians displaced by war from other parts of the country. This interview was possible thanks to translator Danny Dmytroshkyn. The clinic: https://www.facebook.com/105394482187302/posts/pfbid0UDJKkXdUr8fcNwauQLtoFBWbEBA9Y41VbwQvdy1a6ef5fwP4XMRdvyx5W1jLcsTql/. https://www.instagram.com/lifehub.khm/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3DGive feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindIf you want to help the situtation in Ukraine, please donate here:https://www.ukrainianlondon.co.uk/donate-help-ukraine-trusted-charities-uk/

How can we define Psychological Growth?  Which traits define a mature person? Why is it hard to grow Psychologically? Why Should you do it Anyway?Audio-essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a specialist registrar in General Adult psychiatry in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr Asad Rajput is a FY1 doctor who suffered with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder from a young age. In this episode Rebecca and Asad discuss what it's like to live with OCD, how religion and culture impacted Asad's OCD and how he recovered. Interviewed by Dr Rebecca Wilkinson  Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr. Robert Glover is an author, psychotherapist and speaker. He is the author of bestselling men's self help book: No More Mr. Nice Guy.  Dr. Glover has devoted his career as a psychotherapist to freeing men from what he was dubbed the "Nice Guy Syndrome": trying too hard to please others while neglecting their own needs, thus causing unhappiness and resentfulness.In this episode we discuss: - The problems with the "Nice Guy" archetype - The meaning of real kindness - The path to integrating aggression into your life - How to date in 2022 - The problem with dating apps - The value of facing one's fearsInterviewed by Dr Alex CurmiGive feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Professor Sir John Strang is a leading clinical academic. He is head of the Addictions Department at King’s College London and a Consultant Psychiatrist in addictions treatment for over 30 years.He is one of a small number of senior addictions researchers outside North America identified by ISI (the Institute for Scientific Analysis) as a “Highly Cited Author” with a rate of citation in the “top one half of one percent of all publishing researchers in the last two decades”. He developed and continues to expand the work on Take-Home Naloxone, a life-saving innovation for reducing opiate overdose deaths. We discuss how addiction and substance use disorders are defined and what might cause someone to develop them. We talk about what can make substance use disorders difficult to treat. We talk about the opioid epidemic and pick Prof Strang’s brains on what the reasons for the differences between the UK and USA is. We discuss take home naloxone and treatment for opiate dependence and consider broader issues such as what the aims of treatment might be/should be.We are so grateful to all the listeners who sent questions in - we didn’t get to cover all of them this time, but look out for future episodes!Interviewed by  Dr. Anya Borissova Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Prof David Veale is a Consultant Psychiatrist and leads a national outpatient and residential unit service for people with severe treatment refractory Obsessive -Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and anxiety disorders at the South London and Maudsley Trust. Dr David Veale specialises in obsessive compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, health anxiety, emetophobia and depression. He is a Visiting Professor in Cognitive Behaviour Therapies at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London.Interviewed by Dr Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @maudsleypodcast Instagram @maudsleylearningpodcastGive feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr Roberts is an addiction psychiatrist and research fellow working in South London, working with people with addiction to substances as well as addictive behaviours, like gambling. He conducts research looking at the impact of policy changes on patients, such as their ability to access healthcare services. He was the clinical lead for the Homeless Hotel Drug and Alcohol Service (HDAS) in London - the first such service covering all of London, during the Covid-19 pandemic. He has recently been awarded a 5 year fellowship developing interventions to improve care for people with drug use, and another fellowship in health policy. In this episode, we discuss drug consumption rooms, reasons for why the UK has had the highest drug-related deaths on record in the last year, and how policy and services could be different in order to address this.These are some of the reports mentioned in the episode:Lessons Learned from the Pan-London Homeless Hotel Drug & Alcohol Support Service (HDAS) https://osf.io/7cdbx/Three qualitative reports from KCL reporting on the “Experiences Of Being Housed In A London Hotel As Part Of The ‘Everyone In’ Initiative” https://osf.io/rt7j9/  Interviewed by  Dr. Anya Borissova Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr Alex George is a medical NHS doctor. He is well known for featuring on Love Island in 2018. Following the show, Alex has become a leading voice in mental health, and uses his platform to make health and medicine more accessible to millennials and beyond. Dr Alex is the UK Governments first Youth Mental Health Ambassador. Dr Alex has launched a campaign requesting the UK Government prioritise mental health amongst children and adolescents. He has also written a book ‘Live Well Every day’ with the intention of helping people achieve their best health and lifelong wellbeing.Among many other topics we discuss:- The psychological impact of fame and social media- Common sense strategies for managing mental health problems- The importance of discovering your values- Mental health problems among minority populations- Learning from Failure Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi with Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson and Dr. Anya Borissova  Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

What are some of the useful things to know about the experience of anxiety and depression? Can psychoeducation be helpful? What are ruminations and why might it be useful to take time to acknowledge what thoughts pass through your mind? What are some self-help steps you can take? Alongside my experience working as a psychiatry trainee and the clinicians I've learnt from, these are some books that I think can be helpful: 10 steps to positive living – a very short, easy to read, overview of some core thinking missteps that we all make that can contribute to unhappinessSchool of Life – a somewhat more philosophical exploration of life lessons The Chimp Paradox – a practical, metaphor and exercise based self-exploration  tool . Finally, I mentioned some studies that I read in preparing for this, here they are (feel free to get in touch if you'd like the PDFs): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30738219/ ; https://www.eif.org.uk/report/adolescent-mental-health-a-systematic-review-on-the-effectiveness-of-school-based-interventionsAudio-essay by   Dr. Anya Borissova. Dr Borissova is an academic core trainee psychiatrist in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and researching improvements in treating depression.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Janet Treasure, OBE PhD FRCP FRCPsych, is a British psychiatrist, who specialises in research and treatment of eating disorders. She is currently the Director of the Eating Disorder Unit and Professor of Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London.Studies Mentioned during the Interview:Serotonergic psychedelics and personality: A systematic review of contemporary research: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149763417303019Interviewed by Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson with Dr. Alex CurmiGive feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr. Richard Miller is an American clinical psychologist, author and radio broadcaster. He is the author of the book Psychedelic Medicine and the founder of the Wilbur Hot Springs health maintenance organisation, where he helped over 1500 people to detox from drugs and alcohol. Miller has presented his work at national conferences of the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Psychotherapists and the White House Conference on Drugs.In addition to continuing his professional work in psychology, Miller currently hosts a weekly, live radio program, "Mind Body Health & Politics" on his website MindBodyHealthpolitics.orgIn this episode we discuss:  Ayahuasca, Cannabis, Ketamine, Existential Responsibility, Psychotherapy and much moreThe cannabis study we discuss can be found here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(19)30048-3/fulltextInterviewed by Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson with Dr. Alex CurmiGive feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindPart 1 of this Interview can be found under Interview #26, released on Nov 12th 2021

This week we are thrilled to meet Dr Akeem Sule @ak411cam who is a Wolfson College Research Associate and a Consultant Psychiatrist in General Adult Psychiatry at the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, co-founder of the Hip Hop Psych movement and facilitates the film club for the Association of Black Psychiatrists. Dr Sule discusses about the exploration of syndemics and addiction in “The Wire”, what “Euphoria” might tell us about the ‘ethical drug dealer’, cultural humility, racism in psychotherapy and generally, why politicians should watch “Top Boy”, how can TV/film makers ensure they get their portrayals of mental illness right and so much more.Interviewed by  Dr. Anya Borissova Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Why should you engage in conflict in relationships? How should you think about it? Whats the difference between healthy and unhealthy forms of conflict?Audio-essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a specialist registrar in General Adult psychiatry in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindIf you want to help the situtation in Ukraine, please donate here:https://www.ukrainianlondon.co.uk/donate-help-ukraine-trusted-charities-uk/ 

Dr Charles Shepherd is a medical doctor and world renown expert on the subject of chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, or ME. He is the Hon Medical Advisor to the ME association, which is a self-help support charity for people with ME. He was on the Steering Committee of the National ME Observatory, a collaborative research project in the UK, as well as previously on the advising committee for NICE guidelines on ME. He has written a number of books for both patients and medical professionals on the topic as well as developing the Shepherd ME/CFS Disability Scale. Dr Shepherd also developed ME himself following a bout of chickenpox from a patient.  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is a long-term, fluctuating, neurological condition that causes symptoms affecting many body systems, most commonly the nervous and immune systems. ME affects up to an estimated 264,000 people in the UK, and around 17 million people worldwide. There is a 3:1 female to male ratio. People with ME experience severe, persistent fatigue associated with post-exertional malaise (the body’s inability to recover after expending even small amounts of energy). ME is classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a neurological disease. However, due to the complex and unknown nature of the condition, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the disease.Interviewed by  Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr Lawrence Park is a psychiatrist. He has worked at the Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch at NIMH since 2014 and currently serves as medical director of the Clinical Research Unit. In this conversation, we discuss what ketamine is and what we might be able to learn from it about depression, the current state of research into ketamine as a treatment for unipolar and bipolar depression, what it's like when someone receives a ketamine infusion,  the problems with ketamine and the questions that are still outstanding. Dr Park also shares with us what it's like to work at the National Institute of Mental Health and future research goals.  Interviewed by  Dr. Anya BorissovaGive feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Nik and Eva Speakman are British therapists and life coaches. They have studied and worked together since 1992 sharing a passion to help people lead happier and less inhibited lives. They have formulated their own psychotherapeutic interventions including (among others) Schema Conditioning Psychotherapy, which are now also the subject of scientific research. They are resident therapists on ITV’s  ‘This Morning’ for over a decade and have had their own shows, one of which, ‘The Speakmans’, also aired on ITV.Liv Speakman is a psychology and neuroscience graduate from Oxford University working with Nik and Eva  on research into the Speakmans work at Utrecht university in the Netherlands. In this episode we discuss phobias and fears, Nik and Eva's journey to becoming therapists, changing your perspective on reality, remain open-minded to new interventions, the importance of scientific research in psychotherapy and many other topics. In addition - Rebecca gets free therapy and changes her mind about pigeons. It was wild.Studies relating to the Speakmans work can be found here:Studies 1 & 2Published November 2018 – Journal of Behavior Therapy & Experimental Psychiatryhttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/329229873_Effects_of_Visual_Schema_Displacement_Therapy_VSDT_an_abbreviated_EMDR_protocol_and_a_control_condition_on_emotionality_and_vividness_of_aversive_memories_Two_critical_analogue_studiesStudy 3Published 9 April 2021 – European Journal of Psychotraumataologyhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20008198.2021.1883924Books mentioned in this podcast:Psycho-cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz M.D. (1960)Interviewed by Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson with Dr. Alex Curmi and Dr. Anya Borissova  Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

This podcast is a guide to making any kind of resolution towards long term change and it includes:  Intro   00:00Listener Shout-Out 02:30Choosing the area you want to work on  (what is bothering you?) 03:33 Framing the resolution appropriately  06:15Making a plan using the zone of proximal development 08:07 Choosing high leverage activities 12:37Using positive and negative emotions to help you make progress  14:25 Measuring your results correctly to remain reality oriented and motivated 16:50 Not using failure as an excuse to regress, analysing your sticking points with detatched compassion   20:05Recognising and disregarding mental noise 23:07  Recognising the role of motivation, discipline, will power and habit 24:22  Allowing for identity level change 27:15 Viewing your behaviours as collisions with reality you can learn from 29:33 Outro 34:45 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Audio-essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a specialist registrar in General Adult psychiatry in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

In this episode Anya and Alex discuss the psychological significance and historical origins of Christmas, as well as other similar celebrations around the world.  They also discuss: nostalgia, social cohesion, why you shouldn't try and change your relatives minds over Turkey, loneliness, New Years resolutions and much more.From the ML Podcast Team Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! With Dr. Anya Borissova and Dr. Alex Curmi Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Today on the podcast Alex chats with Andrew Jenkinson, author of the book: Why We Eat (Too Much):  The New Science of Appetite.Andrew is a consultant bariatric and general surgeon at University College London. He is a member of the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society, the International Federation of Surgery for Obesity, the Association of Upper GI Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.In the podcast they discuss: - The problems with the mainstream views on the obesity crisis- How modern diets lead to obesity, including the "body set-point" hypothesis - Principles of improving one's diet and lifestyle in order to lose weight and improve health- Psychological issues with weight loss- How government policy could be used to improve public healthYou can find Andrew's book here:https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Why-We-Eat-Too-Much-Audiobook/0241450284?ref=a_author_An_c9_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=af5062e9-57de-425c-9e02-6d8ad006b9aa&pf_rd_r=3F4R8TY0SKVFRHZE7QY8 Interviewed by  Dr. Alex Curmi Give feedback here - [email protected]  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Professor Scott is the Director of the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience, and Head of the Speech Communications Group. Her research studies the neural basis of vocal communication - how our brains process the information in speech and voices, and how our brains control the production of our voice. Professor Scott also researches the expression of emotion in the voice, especially laughter. In this episode, we spend some time discussion why we laugh and how this might change with mental illness, what makes something funny, and why our voices are so relevant in understanding our mental state. Professor Scott is also well known for her public engagement work, including performing stand-up comedy, featuring on radio (The Life Scientific, The Infinite Monkey Cage) and TV (Horizon, Inside Culture) and the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. Professor Scott hosts a podcast with a poet - 'The Neuromantics' available on https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-neuromantics/id1455641494Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast

Dr. Richard Miller is an American clinical psychologist, author and radio broadcaster. He is the author of the book Psychedelic Medicine and the founder of the Wilbur Hot Springs health maintenance organisation, where he helped over 1500 people to detox from drugs and alcohol. Miller has presented his work at national conferences of the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Psychotherapists and the White House Conference on Drugs.In addition to continuing his professional work in psychology, Miller currently hosts a weekly, live radio program, "Mind Body Health & Politics" on his website MindBodyHealthpolitics.orgInterviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi and Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastPart 2 of this Interview can be found under Interview #33, released on April 1st 2022SUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

What if you are being held back by fantasies you are scarcely aware of? How can you become more conscious of your fantasies? How can you become more reality oriented?  In this episode mental suffering is examined through the lens of Fantasy and Reality, with the help of cognitive behavioural, psychoanalytic and Jungian theories. Audio-essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a specialist registrar in General Adult psychiatry in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr Amir Englund is a cannabis scientist at King’s College London. He has been involved in and run a number of experimental cannabis, THC, CBD studies. In this episode we discuss the question of can we make cannabis safer with some brand new study results, the effects of CBD in combination with THC, future directions in cannabis harm reduction including the development of a ‘cannabis unit’, the risks of the high street CBD hype and some interesting pharmacology. Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova. Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr. Gwen Adshead is a forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist, previously a consultant at Broadmoor psychiatric hospital.  She is a visiting professor of psychiatry at Gresham College, Jochelson and a visiting professor at the Yale School of Law and Psychiatry. She is the author of the Devil You Know: Stories of Human Cruelty and Compassion (2021) a book that seeks to understand violent criminals at their most extreme.  She is also the author of A Short Book About Evil (2013). Interviewed by Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson with Dr. Alex Curmi Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Iain McGilchrist is an author, speaker, psychiatrist and former Oxford literary scholar. McGilchrist came to prominence after the publication of his book The Master and His Emissary in 2010 which concerns the differences between the right and left hemispheres of the brain. His new book The Matter with Things, which concerns epistemology and metaphysics will be out November 2021. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

In this episode Dr. Marta Di Forti and Professor Sir Robin Murray discuss the link between cannabis use and psychotic illness in depth, including: - How cannabis has changed over recent decades- The effect of cannabis on the incidence of psychosis- How cannabis can produce psychotic symptoms in a laboratory setting- The potential role of the endocannabinoid system in humans- The cannabis clinic run by Dr. Di Forti in the South London and Maudsley NHS trustDr. Di Forti is a psychiatrist and senior clinical fellow and senior lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London and is now regarded as one of the leading researchers in the world in the field of cannabis and psychosis.Professor Murray is a psychiatrist and Professor of Psychiatric Research at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London, and considered a world expert in psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia. Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova. Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Alex chats with new ML Podcast hosts Dr. Anya Borissova and Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson, both training psychiatrists. In this episode they discuss what makes psychiatry different from other medical specialties, the ups and downs of podcasting, the relationship between cannabis and mental illness, the value of psychotherapy and other topics.  Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr. Rebecca Lawrence is an addictions psychiatrist and blogger.  On her blog doctor-and-patient.com she writes about the challenges of working in mental health whilst also having a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. On this episode she discusses being both a doctor and a patient, receiving treatment for her condition with both medications (such as Lithium) and ECT (electro-convulsive therapy). Interviewed by Dr. Rebecca Wilkinson - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Alex chats with Dr Julian-Pascal Saadi about tribalism, therapy, cognitive dissonance and many other topics in the first in-person ML podcast since the pandemic began. Dr Julian-Pascal Saadi is a Counselling Psychologist working within the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Alongside his clinical work, he has a special interest in critical psychology and the philosophies underpinning clinical practice within the public healthcare model.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Robert Plomin is MRC Research Professor in Behavioural Genetics at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London. He is the author of the book Blueprint: How DNA Makes us Who We Are.In this episode we discuss the genetics behind personality, psychopathology and many of the other factors that make us who we are, as well as Robert's thoughts on the DNA revolution, how DNA testing will change everyone's lives.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

In this upcoming interview Alex talks to Robert Plomin about the the genetic influences of psychological traits, the DNA revolution and much more. Robert Plomin is MRC Research Professor in Behavioural Genetics at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London. He is the author of the book Blueprint: How DNA Makes us Who We Are Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Alex chats about DBT with Michelle Batcock, an Accredited DBT Therapist & Member of the Board of Accreditation for the Society for DBT.DBT is a modified form of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with pronounced influence fom Zen Buddhist ideas. In this episode they discuss: - What DBT is - How it can help people - How it can help the therapist as much as the client - The difference between pain and suffering - Setting goals intelligentlyInterviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

How should we think about our emotions? What purpose do they serve? In this podcast we examine 9 common Emotions:  Sadness, Anger, Disgust, Joy, Love, Fear, Guilt, Shame and Regret. We also discuss some factors that modify our emotions as well as the basics of emotional intelligence.  Audio-essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a specialist registrar in General Adult psychiatry in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr. Adrian James is the President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist. In this episode we discuss the path to psychiatry, the first 6 months of his Presidency, the way the Mental Health act is changing, the role of prevention in healthcare, the relationship between ethnic minorities and mental health services, the role of psychotherapy in mental health services and many other topics. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

This is an analysis of the Netlfix Film Marriage Story (2019), directed by Noah Baumbach. Audio-essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a specialist registrar in General Adult psychiatry in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

What's the difference between wisdom and intelligence? Why does it matter? Audio-essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a specialist registrar in General Adult psychiatry in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Florian Ruths is a consultant psychiatrist in adult mental health at the Maudsley. He is also clinical lead for mindfulness-based therapy at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.  Florian has been leading the Maudsley Mindfulness Service at the Maudsley Hospital in London for the last 10 years, teaching mindfulness to colleagues and treating patients with mindfulness-based interventions.In this episode we discuss Mindfulness meditation, it's role in treating depression and anxiety, how it can be utilised by high stress professions, it's link with cognitive behaviour therapy, the experience of silent retreat and many other topics. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Audio-essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a specialist registrar in General Adult psychiatry in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Marucs Evans is a consultant psychotherapist with 40 years of experience in mental health as a practitioner, supervisor, lecturer, and manager, including at the Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust. He is a member of the British Psychoanalytical Society and the Institute of Psychoanalysis. His new book, Psychoanalytic Thinking in Mental Health Settings can be found here: https://www.routledge.com/Psychoanalytic-Thinking-in-Mental-Health-Settings/Evans/p/book/9780367567385In this podcast we discuss the role of psychoanalytic thought in psychiatry, narcissism, borderline personality disorder, and many other topics. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

What can this disturbing contemporary horror film teach us about ourselves and others?St. Maud Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXs2-TY9qokAudio-essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a specialist registrar in General Adult psychiatry in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr. James Rucker is a consultant psychiatrist currently leading the psychedelic trials group at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London. He is currently leading a randomised control trial invesitgating the safety and efficacy of the active component of magic mushrooms (psilocybin) for use in treatment resistant depression. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Audio-essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a specialist registrar in General Adult psychiatry in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Professor Robin Murray is a Scottish psychiatrist and Professor of Psychiatric Research at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London. In this episode we discuss psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia, the risk factors, the genetics as well as the various environmental factors which affect it's development. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Audio-essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a specialist registrar in General Adult psychiatry in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr. Posporelis is a Consultant Liaison Neuropsychiatrist at King’s College Hospital London and an Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at the IoPPN. Check out his webinar series Braincast here - https://maudsleylearning.com/insights/braincast-webinar-series/Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr. Niall Docherty has recently completed his PhD at the Centre for Critical Theory, University of Nottingham, and will be pursuing his postdoctoral research within the Social Media Collective, Microsoft Research New England. His thesis examines the material and discursive construction of Facebook’s ideal users, linking normative designations of “healthy” usership to neoliberal histories of governance through habit. Niall has a BA in Politics and an MA in Cultural Studies from Goldsmiths, University of London, specialising in political theory, modern philosophy and governmentality studies. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Give feedback here - [email protected] Follow us on Social MediaTwitter: @thinkingmindpod Instagram: @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT:buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Baffour Ababio is a psychoanalytic intercultural psychotherapist and clinical supervisor in private practice and at Nafsiyat Intercultural Therapy Centre. Nafsiyat is an intercultural therapy centre, committed to providing effective and accessible psychotherapy and counselling services to people from diverse religious, cultural and ethnic communities in London. Learn more about Nafsiyat's book here https://www.nafsiyat.org.uk/ and check out his book on inter-cultural therapy here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intercultural-Therapy-Baffour-Ababio/dp/1138625604 Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi Email us: [email protected] us on Social Media: Twitter: @thinkingmindpod Instagram: @thinkingmindpodcastSUPPORT:buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind 

Dr Walter Busuttil is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Director of Medical Services for Combat Stress, a charity providing mental health support for military veterans. Walter served for 16 years in the Royal Air Force, working on fast-jet air bases as well as taking part in operational deployments. He was instrumental in the setting up of PTSD mental health rehabilitation programmes designed for servicemen returning from the first Gulf War. He was also part of the clinical team that rehabilitated the released British Beirut Hostages. Between 1997 and 2007 he worked setting up tertiary services for sufferers of Complex PTSD in civilian mental health services in general adult and forensic settings. Check out more about combat stress here: https://www.combatstress.org.uk/Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi - Feedback - [email protected] us on Social Media: Twitter: @thinkingmindpod Instagram: @thinkingmindpodcastIf you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Dr. Camilla Tooley works as a Clinical Educator and Relationship therapist as well as within a London perinatal psychotherapy team. In this interview we discuss her experiences working within the confines of quarantine whilst experiencing pregnancy of the first time herself, and we think about what could be learned from these experiences - for individuals, for couples and for those who are expecting. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Further resources can be found here: https://www.rcog.org.uk/coronavirus-pregnancy and here https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/about-us/responding-to-covid-19/covid-19-and-mental-health Feedback - [email protected] Follow us on Social Media: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

This is an excerpt from interview #2 with Dr. Lisa Conlan, a practising community psychiatrist within the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. Alongside her clinical work, she has an academic special interest in both Philosophy of Psychiatry and Medical Education, and has an M.Sc in Philosophy of Mental Disorder from King’s College London. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Feedback - [email protected] us on Social Media: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Insta @thinkingmindpodcastIf you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Have you ever been convinced of something, beyond all doubt? Many people have a strong sense that their views are right and couldn't possibly be wrong. So how do we come to hold strong convictions and why is it hard to consider we could be mistaken? American Christian radio host Harold Camping stated that Judgement Day would take place on May 21, 2011  "beyond the shadow of a doubt". Camping, who was then president of the Family Radio Christian network, claimed the Bible as his source. Through the eyes of his followers, the award winning documentary Right Between Your Ears explores how people believe, how we turn beliefs into certainties, and mistake them for the truth. This is an interview with the makers of the documentary Sheila Marshall and Kris de Meyer. Watch here- http://www.rightbetween.com/- Follow them on twitter/instagram @RightBTW - Write to us here - [email protected] us on Social Media: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Insta @thinkingmindpodcastIf you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Audio-essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a specialist registrar in General Adult psychiatry in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust with a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation.Email us at thinkingmind [email protected] you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindFollow us on Social Media: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Insta @thinkingmindpodcast

Dr. Farrugia is an infectious disease registrar currently working at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. He is a member of the Royal College of Physicians with a Masters in Research (MRes) in mycology and fungal immunology. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. Questions comments and feedback can be sent to [email protected] you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmindFollow us on Social Media: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Insta @thinkingmindpodcast

Dr. Farrugia is an infectious disease registrar currently working at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow - see Interview #5 for the full conversation with Dr. Farrugia which will be released on 31/03/20. If you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/podcast8

Mindfulness meditation is a clinically proven way of dealing with stress and anxiety. Now more than ever, we are being expected to deal with uncertainty and stress whilst simultaneously being instructed to stay at home and be alone with our thoughts. When your mind is untrained this can be extremely trying. Here you can access a free 20 meditation. With regular practice, this can help achieve some calm in tumultuous times.Meditation led by Dr. Alex CurmiQuestions, comments and feedback - [email protected] us on Social Media: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Insta @thinkingmindpodcastIf you'd like to learn more about mindfulness check out:https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/If you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Mindfulness meditation is a clinically proven way of dealing with stress and anxiety. Now more than ever, we are being expected to deal with uncertainty and stress whilst simultaneously being instructed to stay at home and be alone with our thoughts. When your mind is untrained this can be extremely trying. Here you can access a free 10 meditation. With regular practice, this can help achieve some calm in tumultuous times.Meditation led by Dr. Alex CurmiQuestions, comments and feedback - [email protected] us on Social Media: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Insta @thinkingmindpodcastIf you'd like to learn more about mindfulness check out:https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/If you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

For more detailed information from infectious disease experts:https://samharris.org/podcasts/191-early-thoughts-pandemic/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1xBiBVH7U4https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-act-today-or-people-will-die-f4d3d9cd99caQuestions comments and feedback - Email: [email protected] us on Social Media: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Insta @thinkingmindpodcastIf you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Professor Sir Simon Wessely is Regius professor of psychiatry at King’s College London and a consultant liaison psychiatrist at King’s College and the Maudsley Hospitals, as well as civilian consultant advisor in psychiatry to the British Army. From 2014 to 2017 he was elected president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi. For questions, comments and feedback- [email protected] you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/podcast8

In episode #3 Clinical Psychologist Dr. Charlotte Lemaigre is interviewed about her work in trauma, EMDR therapy, attachement theory and related topics Interviewed by Dr. Alex CurmiQuestions, comments and feedback- [email protected] you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/podcast8

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Charlotte Lemaigre is interviewed about her work in trauma, EMDR therapy, attachement theory and related topics. Questions comments and feedback - [email protected] you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/podcast8

Dr. Lisa Conlan is a practising community psychiatrist within the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. Alongside her clinical work, she has an academic special interest in both Philosophy of Psychiatry and Medical Education, and has an M.Sc in Philosophy of Mental Disorder from King’s College London. Interviewed by Dr. Alex CurmiQuestions comments and feedback - [email protected] you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/podcast8

Dr. Lisa Conlan is a practising community psychiatrist within the NHS. Alongside her clinical work, she has an academic special interest in both Philosophy of Psychiatry and Medical Education, including philosophy of mind and conceptual analysis. Questions comments and feedback - [email protected] you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/podcast8

Dr Quinton Deeley is Senior Lecturer in Social Behaviour and Neurodevelopment at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience (IOPPN), King’s College London. He is also Consultant Neuropsychiatrist in the National Autism Unit and Neuropsychiatry Brain Injury Clinic at the Maudsley and Bethlem Hospitals.  Dr Deeley also chairs the Maudsley Philosophy Group, and Social and Cultural Neuroscience Group at the IOPPN.Questions comments and feedback - [email protected] you find the show valuable here's how you can support it: https://buymeacoffee.com/podcast8