If everything is traumatic, is anything traumatic? The power of labels

If everything is traumatic, is anything traumatic? The power of labels

Author: ABC Australia November 22, 2025 Duration: 29:36
We've come a long way in how we talk about mental health. But while diagnoses like depression and anxiety can empower people to seek help and support — they also influence how we see ourselves and how others might see us, too. Today, we investigate 'concept creep.' It's the idea that the labels we use to describe mental health are expanding and being applied to an ever-wider array of human behaviours. We look at what's causing this, the impacts it might have (both positive and negative), and what it means for how we understand mental health conditions. This episode first aired in November 2024. Guest: Professor Nick Haslam Professor of Psychology, University of Melbourne Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Producer: Rose Kerr Senior producer: James Bullen Sound engineer: Simon Branthwaite You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. More information: Concept creep: Psychology's expanding concepts of harm and pathology

Ever wondered what's really happening inside your head? Each week, All In The Mind from ABC Australia ventures into the complex landscape of human thought and feeling. This isn't just a dry science lecture; it's a thoughtful exploration of the experiences that shape us, hosted by curious minds who know how to tell a compelling story. You'll hear conversations that bridge the gap between scientific research and the messy reality of daily life, delving into topics as diverse as the mechanisms of memory, the challenges of breaking an addiction, or the ethical puzzles posed by artificial intelligence. The discussions are grounded and accessible, making the inner workings of the brain relevant to anyone interested in health, behaviour, or simply understanding themselves a little better. By tuning into this podcast, you join a community considering how our mental universe influences everything from our personal fitness to our social connections. It’s a weekly opportunity to pause and reflect on the fascinating forces-both biological and psychological-that drive what we do and who we are. The production brings together expert insights with genuine human stories, creating a space where complex ideas about the mind and behaviour are unpacked with clarity and depth.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

All In The Mind
Podcast Episodes
Anauralia: what's it like to have no inner monologue? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
How clear is your inner voice? Do you internally narrate your life? And do you get songs stuck in your head? Almost all of us can imagine sounds in our minds. But a small part of the population don't have internal audito…
Can you recognise a love song in any language? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
Music is a universal feature of the human experience — present from our very first cultures and civilisations. But do the features of particular songs and styles translate across cultural boundaries? Like, is a lullaby r…
Girl, Interrupted: the extreme emotions of PMDD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
Laura would spend weeks feeling normal — even happy. But like clockwork, every month, suddenly she would feel intense depression, making her unrecognisable to herself and friends. It took her nearly two decades to identi…
Spooky science: What's behind a paranormal experience? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:27
Professor Chris French has been studying the paranormal for decades. But — he’s a sceptic. In an All in the Mind Halloween special, we explore the psychology behind our spooky encounters. What's going on in your brain wh…
Sick of scrolling? Digital minimalism could help [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:22
How many hours have you spent on your phone today? And do you feel like it's too many? A growing movement of people are going without their smartphones and computers in favour of just about anything that doesn't have a s…
Can we trust our memories? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:39
We don't remember everything that happens to us — so why do we remember what we remember? And the memories we do lock away aren't always accurate or trustworthy. This week, we're talking about the fallibility of memory a…
Grit and a goal: tricking your brain into loving running [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
We know running is good for the body, but what about the brain? Hear from people who love running about the psychological tools they use to stay active, including some advice from a professor who's taught their entire cl…
Once taboo, now good for you: the psychology of masturbation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
This week we're talking about something intimate … And at-times taboo … Masturbation. From self-love, to disordered behaviour, and back again, how our perceptions of masturbation have changed over the course of history a…
Mates vs strangers — why humans connect and divide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:07
It's human nature to form groups — families, friends, online communities. We love to be surrounded by people similar to us. But that can also make us discriminatory and defensive. And social media makes that instinct wor…