We all know what it's like to walk into a room, fumble a word in a meeting, or trip in front of a crowd – and feel like all eyes are on us. But are they? My latest column explores the so-called spotlight effect, and how we are more likely to assume others are judging us when we're feeling anxious.
In this Southern Star column, I caution against the dangers of learning the wrong lessons in life.
Our brains filter the world through our own unique set of experiences and beliefs. My latest Southern Star column explores how what might seem trivial to one person may feel monumental to another, depending on how they’ve been conditioned to view the world.
Selective attention towards threats means that anxious people tend to be vigilant. Often scanning for danger, anxious people are very alert to the possibility of something going wrong, even in seemingly non-threatening situations. My latest column explores how to break free from this vicious cycle of vigilance and fear.
If you’re anxious, you will see the world very differently to someone who isn’t anxious. My latest column explores how the anxious brain processes and interprets information.
Research shows pessimism is often seen as wise and insightful, while optimists can be viewed as naïve and ignorant. My latest column explains why it's important not to mistake pessimism for wisdom or to see optimism as shallow.
2024 · 19. September 2024
Different people may have different problems, but they all generally behave in ways that bring about a self-fulfilling prophecy. For example, Daniel sees himself as unlovable. He often cancels plans with friends and isolates himself at home. This behaviour reduces his opportunities for positive interactions, deepening his sense of loneliness and reinforcing his belief that no one truly cares about him. My latest column explores how to break out of this and other vicious cycles.
2024 · 05. September 2024
Changing unhelpful thinking patterns is important for one’s mental health, but real change requires behavioural change. My latest Southern Star article explores why CBT emphasises the importance of behavioural activation – essentially, adopting helpful behaviour patterns to improve well-being.
Consider your daily worries – deadlines, exams, relationships, finances. Briefly acknowledging them is natural. But dwell on them for a while, and they start to gnaw at your energy. Let them dominate your thoughts all day, and you risk feeling overwhelmed and paralysed, unable to function effectively. My latest Southern Star column explores how to lighten your mental load.
Imagine you’re in a relationship with someone who is usually brilliant, funny and loving. However, this same partner is sometimes the exact opposite, engaging in screaming rages that leave you crushed and bewildered. Do you stay in the relationship, or do you leave? Psychology professor Roy Baumeister was in this position when he was young. Unsure what to do, he kept track of the days spent with his partner, recording which were good, bad and neutral. A few months of data showed they enjoyed...