Complex with Kimberley Wilson
BBC Sounds
Welcome to Complex, the podcast that cuts a clear path through all the information and misinformation that's out there about our mental health. Because let's face it - there's so much of it! And a lot of it makes us worry - maybe I've got ADHD! Perhaps I've got empathy overload? Is my partner a narcissist? Kimberley Wilson is a chartered psychologist and she's on a mission to help you decide when to be concerned about what your mind is doing - and when not to be. Together with her expert guests - psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists - she shares some valuable tips for how you can manage your mental health better. With the help of listeners' stories, Kimberley delves into different topics from helping you to work out whether you're a people-pleaser and what you can do about it; to understanding what attachment theory is and how it affects your relationship; to unpicking social anxiety and how best to grapple with it. If you have a question or observation about mental health, then please let us know. The email address is complex@bbc.co.uk. We might use what you tell us in the show, but we will make sure to do so anonymously. If you don't want your email to be included in the podcast, then please remember to let us know. Please be aware that Kimberley is not able to answer emails personally. If you are concerned you have a medical or mental health issue, then please contact your GP or seek expert help. Please also take a look on the BBC Actionline page: https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/ where you can find details of organisations offering information and support for common issues. Complex is a Loftus Media production for BBC Sounds. Commissioning Producer: Izzy Lee-Poulton Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 10, 2025 • 25min
OCD: When should you worry about intrusive thoughts?
Kimberley Wilson, chartered psychologist, invites expert guests to join her on her mission to sift through all the information and misinformation that’s out there about our mental health.In this episode of the psychology podcast, Kimberley explores obsessive compulsive disorder and the intrusive thoughts that are part of the condition. Most of us experience intrusive thoughts at some point in our lives, so how can we tell when they are a symptom of OCD, and what can we do to manage them? She asks psychology researcher Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney, who was diagnosed with OCD when she was 10 years old.Please email complex@bbc.co.uk if there’s anything you would like Kimberley to explore. We might use what you tell us in the show, but we will do so anonymously. If you don’t want your email to be included in the podcast, then please remember to let us know. Kimberley is not able to answer emails personally so if you are concerned you have a medical or mental health issue, then please contact your GP or seek expert help. Please also take a look on the BBC Actionline page: https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/ where you can find details of organisations offering information and support for common issues.The Complex team:
Host: Kimberley Wilson
Guest: Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney
Producer: Kirsten Lass
Assistant Producer: Katie Chandler Clarke
Researcher: Grace Revill
Science Editor: Rami Tzabar
Tech Producer: Reuben Huxtable
Sound Designer: Ruth Rainey
Digital Lead: Richard Berry
Podcast artwork photography: Darren Skene
And for BBC Sounds:
Commissioning Producer: Izzy Lee-Poulton
Commissioning Editor: Rhian RobertsComplex is a Loftus Media production for BBC Sounds.
Dec 3, 2025 • 27min
Are you a people pleaser?
Dr. Sarah Vohra, a consultant psychiatrist specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry, dives into the world of people-pleasing. She explains its signs, from saying yes when you mean no to emotional exhaustion. The conversation explores how childhood conditioning and cultural influences fuel these behaviors. They discuss the spectrum of people-pleasing from mild agreeableness to harmful extremes. Sarah shares practical steps to build self-assertiveness and outlines how fear of conflict drives these tendencies. A thought-provoking look at mental health!
Nov 26, 2025 • 27min
Are you depressed or just sad?
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Kevin Vento, a consultant clinical psychologist specializing in depression, delves into the complexities of distinguishing between being depressed and simply feeling sad. He highlights key symptoms to watch for, addresses the biopsychosocial roots of depression, and shares the impact of stigma on treatment. Listeners gain valuable insights on practical steps to take while awaiting help, like increasing small activities and recognizing achievements to build momentum. This conversation is both enlightening and empowering for anyone navigating their mental health.
Nov 19, 2025 • 26min
Are you a liar?
In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Charlotte Cooper, a psychotherapist with expertise in sociology, queer theory, and disability, dives into the complex psychology of lying. They reveal that we lie 1-2 times daily, often starting in childhood as a cognitive milestone. The discussion covers how lies can manipulate social dynamics and contribute to feelings of isolation. Cooper shares her tips for fostering honesty, emphasizing the importance of safe communication. Together, they unravel the hidden costs of deception on mental well-being.
Nov 12, 2025 • 25min
Are you too empathetic? Or not enough?
Dr. Martha Deiros Collado, a clinical psychologist with two decades of experience, dives deep into the nuances of empathy. She explains the differences between empathy and sympathy, and introduces the three types: affective, compassionate, and cognitive. The conversation explores how empathy develops in childhood and the consequences of having too much—or too little—of it. Dr. Martha also shares practical tips for enhancing empathy, such as using feeling wheels and recognizing emotions, making it a must-listen for anyone seeking deeper connections.
Nov 7, 2025 • 21min
Meet Kimberley
Join a chartered psychologist on a quest to dissect mental health information! She shares her passion for crochet, her favorite sandwich, and what sparked her career in psychology. Discover why she values expert guests and how they’ll cut through the noise around mental health. Learn to discern between normal experiences and clinical issues, all while reflecting on the impact of social media on our worries. Get ready for personal insights and a mission to promote understanding and kindness in mental well-being!
12 snips
Nov 5, 2025 • 27min
Are you a perfectionist?
Dr. Sula Windgassen, a health psychologist and psychotherapist, tackles the intricacies of perfectionism. She defines it as the pursuit of unrelenting standards with negative repercussions, revealing its personal and clinical manifestations. Exploring its dual nature, Sula contrasts adaptive striving with harmful perfectionism, and shares key indicators like all-or-nothing thinking. She discusses its origins in childhood and personality traits. Dr. Windgassen also offers practical strategies to cultivate self-compassion, suggesting that letting go of perfectionism can enhance mental health without sacrificing success.
Nov 3, 2025 • 2min
Trailer
Kimberley Wilson, chartered psychologist, is on a mission. She wants to make sense of all the information and misinformation that’s out there about our mental health – so you know when to worry and, most importantly, when not to worry. She invites trained psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists to explore different topics, so you’ll have two experts in your corner passing on insight and tips for how to manage yourself with more kindness and understanding.Complex - the new psychology podcast from BBC Sounds. A Loftus Media production.
