Dr. Camilla Nord, a leading neuroscientist and author of 'The Balanced Brain,' discusses the intersection of neuroscience and mental health. She delves into dopamine's role in psychological symptoms and how neurological conditions can manifest physically. The conversation highlights the distinction between acute and chronic pain, as well as the impact of expectations on mental well-being. Dr. Nord emphasizes mental health as a dynamic state and the importance of personalized treatments, advocating for evidence-based approaches in decision-making.

Prof. 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 and a UKCP registered psychotherapist in-training.If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com.Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind.

Dr 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-serviceSome key papers if you'd like to learn more:1. Managing the clinical encounter with patients with borderline personality disorder in a general psychiatry setting: key contributions from transference-focused psychotherapy - https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-advances/article/managing-the-clinical-encounter-with-patients-with-borderline-personality-disorder-in-a-general-psychiatry-setting-key-contributions-from-transferencefocused-psychotherapy/1F82B0DAC1D4E5F46514E97FC681EE07#article2. Managing the clinical encounter with patients with personality disorder in a general psychiatry setting: key contributions from neuropsychoanalysis -  https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-advances/article/abs/managing-the-clinical-encounter-with-patients-with-personality-disorder-in-a-general-psychiatry-setting-key-contributions-from-neuropsychoanalysis/DADB9FC619A578D7ED1B7FA882F1FFC6 Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova - Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.comJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

This 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 thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com. 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!

In this lively discussion, Dr. Alex Curmi, a consultant psychiatrist specializing in ADHD, breaks down the complexities of the disorder. He covers common signs and symptoms, the intricacies of diagnosis, and the debate over potential over-diagnosis linked to modern lifestyles. Dr. Curmi emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to management, integrating lifestyle changes alongside medication. He also dives into the impact of early life trauma and the different presentations of ADHD, especially in women, shedding light on often overlooked nuances.

Roberto 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 - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com.Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com -  Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

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 thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com. 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. He is also a UKCP registered training psychotherapist, and has a special interest in mindfulness meditation. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com  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 - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.comSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Sam Kotadia is a Chartered Sports Psychologist. He has worked with high profile clubs such as Colchester United and currently Wrexham AFC, 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 sam@samkotadia.com.Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova - Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.comJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

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 - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com  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 - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.comSUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

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 - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcastIf you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.comJoin Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignupSUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind