Can the words we use reveal the depth of our depression and even our risk of suicide? Dr. Mohammed Al-Mosaiwi, psychologist and researcher, joins us to explore how absolutist thinking—using words like always, never, completely—is linked to depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
In this episode, Dr. Al-Mosaiwi explains how the process of our thinking is just as important as the content, why absolutist language is a marker of vulnerability, and how disputing rigid thought patterns can open the door to healing.
Whether you’re living with depression, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about how language reflects mental health, this conversation provides both insight and practical tools for challenging destructive patterns of thought.
Primary Topics Covered:
- What “absolutist thinking” is and why it matters for depression and anxiety
- How words like always and never can signal suicidal ideation
- The difference between content (negative thoughts) and process (rigid thinking)
- Why absolutist thinking may be a vulnerability for depression
- Practical strategies for identifying and disputing absolutist thoughts
- The role of rumination and self-focus in deepening depression
- How language analysis is being used in research and clinical care
- The promise and risks of using technology to detect mental health struggles
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Mohammed Al-Mosaiwi and his research focus
01:14 Why depression, anxiety, and suicide are interconnected
01:42 Understanding absolutist thinking and its role in mental health
02:56 How words like “always” and “never” become markers of depression
05:08 Is absolutist thinking a cause of depression or a symptom?
06:49 Research findings: absolutist language in recovered patients
07:49 How to identify absolutist thinking in yourself and others
08:51 Practical disputing: breaking down rigid thought patterns
09:45 Why change takes repetition and time
10:14 Applications for crisis hotlines and early detection
11:13 Self-focus, pronouns, and rumination in depression
13:37 Why absolutist thoughts feel all-consuming
15:20 Using disputing techniques as homework and prevention
16:40 Practicing flexible thinking patterns over time
17:35 Why loved ones can help when clarity is lost in depression
19:14 Different absolutist thoughts tied to different mental health struggles
20:01 Shifting focus from negative content to thinking style
21:48 Using text analysis and technology in clinical care
24:09 Where research data comes from (forums, writings, diaries)
25:58 Closing reflections on why this research matters
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