An old dog can’t learn new tricks – or so we’re told. This phrase often surfaces in counselling rooms, not as a comment about age, but as a quiet conclusion people reach about themselves. “I’ve always been like this.” “This is just my personality.” “It’s too late to change now.” From a psychological lens, this isn’t resistance or lack of motivation. It’s the nervous system protecting familiarity. Neuroplasticity doesn’t switch off with age. What changes is efficiency. The bra

We often talk about the placebo effect - how positive expectations can improve symptoms. But there’s a quieter, less discussed counterpart that shows up frequently in anxiety disorders: the  nocebo effect . The nocebo effect happens when  expecting harm or danger actually makes symptoms worse . In anxiety, this plays out not because something is physically wrong, but because the nervous system is already on high alert. For someone with anxiety, thoughts like  “What if this ge

Have you ever noticed yourself delaying something important - not because you didn’t care, but almost  strategically ? That’s self-handicapping. Self-handicapping happens when people create obstacles for themselves  in advance , so that if they fall short, there’s a ready-made explanation that protects their self-esteem. It’s not about laziness or lack of discipline. It’s about identity protection. Psychologically, this is a sophisticated defence. Our sense of self -  I’m cap

Sometimes people feel at a disadvantage because they don’t have a great memory. They forget dates, details, or things someone once said. They worry it makes them careless, inattentive, or unreliable. But we rarely talk about the other side of the spectrum. What about people who remember  everything ? Not just milestones or facts - but tone, pauses, facial expressions. The exact wording of a comment made years ago. The moment something shifted in a relationship. The good  and

Is ‘just push through’ really resilience, or is it ignoring what your body and mind need? When we keep telling ourselves to “just push through,” a few subtle but important things happen - especially psychologically. At first, it can feel productive. We override fatigue, emotions, or discomfort and get things done. But over time, that constant self-overriding teaches the nervous system that signals like stress, overwhelm, or exhaustion aren’t worth listening to. They get ignor

We live in a world of instant gratification. This  hyper-responsiveness  has created a hidden, low-grade stressor:  Waiting Anxiety - the emotional fallout from the omnipresent "No Reply Yet." It's the stress felt when: A crucial job application is "Under Review." A critical business proposal hasn't been acknowledged. A manager hasn't replied to an urgent message. Yes, Waiting Anxiety is a real phenomenon.  While not a clinical diagnosis, this distress is rooted in  Anticipa

As the dust settles after a vibrant Diwali, many might still be processing the emotional toll! What? Why? Well, a lesser-discussed phenomenon is the strong urge some people have, to avoid social interactions altogether during high-demand festive periods. But despite what they feel inside, they might be forced to socialize due to familial, career or other reasons and hence the emotional toll. Very often we ascribe this to shyness. But the thing is, this may not be just that. F

When anxiety strikes, most people hear the classic advice: “just take a deep breath.” But here’s the catch - a single deep inhale often makes things worse. Rapid or forceful breaths can trigger hyperventilation, lowering carbon dioxide in the blood and increasing feelings of dizziness or panic. So , what works better? Psychology and physiology suggest that it’s not about depth - it’s about rhythm. 🔹  The 4-6 Rule Exhale fully for a count of 6, then inhale slowly for a count

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Dreams have always puzzled us. Are they random fragments stitched together - or do they serve a hidden purpose? Modern research suggests...

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I recently came across a fun yet curious Instagram post that made me pause: a study suggesting that  eating cheese before bed can trigger...

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A Psychological Look at a Very Physical Feeling   I was once asked to address a large gathering at school, and I recall the sensation of...

Many were shocked when Robin Williams passed away in 2014. He lit up every screen with laughter and charisma. But behind the scenes, he...