All in the Mind

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Podcasts

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

The show with the latest evidence on psychology, mental health and neuroscience.

The show on how we think, feel and behave. Claudia Hammond delves into the evidence on mental health, psychology and neuroscience.

BBC Radio 4 FM

All in the Mind: The need for possessions, predicting effective use of CBT, talking to strangers

The need for possessions, predicting effective use of CBT, talking to strangers

BBC Radio 4 - All in the Mind, The need for possessions, predicting effective use of CBT, talking to strangers

The need for possessions, predicting effective use of CBT and talking to strangers.

Do our possessions control us? Claudia Hammond examines why we often want more than we need, and hears how brief seemingly insignificant chats with strangers can benefit our mood

Why do we have a strong desire to own things? Psychologist Professor Bruce Hood, author of a new book Possessed, and artist Hannah Scott, whose installation All this Stuff is Killing Me addresses our desire to acquire, discuss why we want more than we need and the extent to which we are controlled by our possessions.

Cognitive behavioural therapy is one of the most effective treatments for depression but it only works for 45% of patients, so success is not guaranteed. Claudia hears from Filippo Queirazza of Glasgow University who's been using brain imaging techniques to predict an individual's likely success with the therapy. This could dramatically increase the odds of correct treatment for a patient.

Talking to strangers is something many feel anxious about or reluctant to do but could it be good for your state of mind? Social psychologist Gillian Sandstrom of Essex University discusses her latest research: seemingly inconsequential conversations with strangers can have a surprisingly beneficial effect on mood and well being.

Producer: Adrian Washbourne

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

All in the Mind

The need for possessions, predicting effective use of CBT, talking to strangers

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4