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TV Psychologist on Intrusive Thoughts What are intrusive thoughts? We know from psychological research findings that we all men and women at some time or other have intrusive and disturbing thoughts. Physical anxiety symptoms like these drive people to seek help from psychologists and psychiatrists because of the potential frightening nature of the thoughts. Some of my GP referrals, young women tell me about intrusive thoughts of being harmed by their boyfriend, or being in a car crash, or drowning on holiday in the Caribbean or wherever. Are they triggered off by anything? It is the intrusive thoughts of anxiety that act as a trigger for an anxiety disorder if they are debilitating and frequent. Each disorder has its own type of intrusive thoughts and they can, in fact, destroy your emotional stability and emotional intelligence. Intrusive thoughts consistently enter your mind against your will. You did not consciously invite them but they come virtually automatically and...

A recent press article in the Telegraph’s Science feature pointed out that specific makes such as the Chrysler Crossfire, BMW645ci, and the VW Sharan were rated among the “angriest” cars. Whilst the Japanese Daihatsu, a small hatchback, was said to be the saddest. One would never think of an object most of us depend on as being attributed as “emotional” and having personality. But in reality, they in fact do. These become symbols not only of our status and achievement in life but are seen by society as of how vertically mobile we have or have not become in an advanced industrial economy. The same press article rightly points to the Nissan Micra as the most submissive car whilst the Toyota Aygo the most childish car. The various social media sources see the Vauxhall Astra as the most popular friendly car for the average runabout person. Similarly, that German built war machine the classic Beetle has made a comeback with its femininity, matching the commonly ascribed “Hairdressers“ ca...

Celebrities are a self-selected group of narcissists. Whereas it is certainly true that some individuals decide to pursue acting or singing careers for the pure love of the artistic forms in question, the great majority of celebrity wannabes are largely driven by the outcomes (e.g., fame, money, adulation). A recent study by S. Mark Young and Drew Pinsky supports the contention that celebrities are narcissists. The extraordinary attention that is lavished on celebrities (not to mention the outlandish sums of money) makes it easy to succumb to one’s hype. People line up for hours to get a glimpse of Simon Cowell coming out of his limousine, and will scream with visceral religious fervour at his mere sight. Take a narcissist, and feed his or her ego in such a manner twenty-four hours a day, and it is not difficult to guess that Simon or David Band Victoria Beckham starts to actually believe that they are superheros (rather than playing one in the movies). Read full article and more i...