Gamify Life: Use a To-Do List
I often half joke that the most beneficial life changes that I made as an adult are drinking coffee and using a planner. Most people are way ahead of me with the old coffee life-hack. However, the use of a planner or diary, if my clients are a good guide, is much less widespread. But […]
The RAGE System: The Seat of Anger?
Can a dog be angry? This is a question that Neuropsychologist Jaak Panksepp explores in his chapter on the RAGE system. Panksepp proposes the RAGE system as an ancestor and key ingredient for the human emotion of anger. So, can a dog be angry? Dogs appear angry. If another dog eats their food they will […]
Hypocrisy: It’s Good for You!
“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”. Jesus, John8:7 “Hypocrisy has its place in the ages of strong belief: in which even when one is compelled to exhibit a different belief one does not abandon the belief one already has” Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols “My life is a paradox Seems that I […]
The SEEKING System: The Brain’s Reward Pathway?
This is the first in my series on the neuro-evolutionary origins of emotions. A theory proposed by the late Jaak Panksepp in his book The Archaeology of the Mind. See here and here for my intros into the neuro-evolutionary origins of emotions. “When I’m down by more than $100, that’s when I start to […]
Chilling Out or Wasting Time?
How much free time is good for you? Overwork, and the stress associated with it, can be detrimental to your sense of wellbeing. Ergo, more free time must be beneficial, right? A Natural Experiment A funny thing happened this year. A lengthy statewide lockdown was implemented due to the Coronavirus. I lived and worked through […]
The Evolutionary Origins of Emotions Part 2: The Functions of Emotions
Fear, anxiety, stress, sadness and anger. An excess of these emotions impels people to seek psychological treatment. Clients often voice their wish for less intense emotions. The presence of strong emotions can be debilitating. The presence of these emotions prompts some thoughtful people to wonder “why do emotions exist at all?” The theory of evolution, […]
The Evolutionary Origins of Emotions Part 1: Can Animals Teach Us About Emotions?
When I was a wide-eyed undergraduate student, I was repeatedly warned by lecturers not to anthropomorphise. Anthropomorphising means ascribing human qualities to animals. Lecturers in as diverse subjects as psychology, biology and environmental geography: all cautioned against the error of anthropomorphising. Why did I have to be so repeatedly warned about this? What’s so bad […]
Focussing on Feelings
Why do people come to see a psychologist? I ask every new client on the first session: What would you like to get out of therapy? What are your goals? The number one answer to this question is “to feel better”. Emotional change. Less anxiety, less sadness, less anger. More joy, more contentment, more feelings […]
The Problem of Potential
“Ollie* was so good in primary school, such a good student”. Ollie’s mum described his history at his first session. Ollie was a natural learner in his early years of schooling but, now in Year 9, he was struggling. “He pretends he doesn’t care, until the last minute he does anything but study, then he […]
Happy Third Anniversary!
It’s 2 months late, but it’s here. With all the disruption and disturbance this year, I totally forgot about continuing that most splendid of traditions: The most popular blog list. For the last two years (here, here) I have compiled a list of the most clickworthy articles. This list should come out around the 24th […]
Surviving Lockdown: Don’t let anger define reality
This lockdown is different. This is the Angry Lockdown. I can’t speak for other parts of the world, or other parts of Australia, but here in Sydney the goodwill and stoicism that marked earlier lockdowns is gone. Irritation and impatience are ever-present. Australia was meant to be special. New South Wales was meant to be […]
Surviving Lockdown: Commune with Nature
How long have we now been in lockdown? Without checking the calendar it’s hard to tell. Time moves in weird ways when you are all out of routine whilst simultaneously unable to engage in novel activities (like holidays and social events). It feels both like we’ve been in lockdown for ages and for no time […]
Beating the Inner Critic: Defusing and Parting Out
Lucian* was struggling. He was close to dropping out of university and was having difficulty with his job. Fatigue was the main reason. “I watch YouTube every night. It’s hard to stop. As soon as I turn my phone off, I start to think about how useless I am. I end up feeling horrible and […]
Breaking Pareto: Too Many Nice People to Waste Time on the Bad Ones
Sacha* was in first term of Year 7. No one from her old school came with her. She didn’t know who to hang out with but felt herself attracted to a group of confident and extroverted girls – they seemed to be good fun! This group all had previous connections to one another, and Sacha […]
The Winter Blues: Seasonal Affective Disorder
Warwick was getting on everybody’s nerves, including his own. “I just hate this time of year! It’s cold, there’s nothing to do, work is a drag“. His wife, Stace, called it “Warwick’s time of the month”. But really it was his time of the year – late May to late August – the Winter Blues. […]
Smile First, Ask Questions Later: Beat the Social Isolation Schema
The Social Isolation Schema Maurice was lonely and angry. “No matter where I go, I’m on the outer of groups. People can just sense that I’m a weirdo, a loner”. He had reached the point of exasperation. “I just can’t be bothered with socialising. Most people are just small-minded, small-talking, dimwits!” Some people, like Maurice, […]
Coping with First World Problems: Epictetus or Epicurus
How do you solve a First World Problem? Some see First World Problems as problems that are laughably trivial. But I prefer to see them as those problems in which the Enemy is internal rather than external. External Enemies are Hunger, Cold, Savage Beasts, Rival Groups intent on murdering or enslaving us. And we conquered […]
Breaking Procrastination: Part III, Dinner before Desert, Always
Read Part I and Part II of this series. Its sometime in the late 90’s. Justin arrives home on a Saturday afternoon, heavy with dread. The major assignment is due on Monday. He sits in his room, the clutter of his desk feels intolerable: Work simply can’t be started until its clean! However once […]
