All in the Mind

In presenting All in the Mind for 20 years, Claudia has explored the idea several times that depression is not just one thing, but more of an umbrella term and that different causes might need different solutions. For this special edition focussing on hard to treat depression, she finds out whether that more personalised approach to understanding depression is now filtering through to the treatments that people are offered.Hard to treat depression, where the usual approaches like talking therapies and anti-depressants don’t seem to work in the long-term, may happen in 30% of people with depression. Katie tells Claudia how living with depression that's difficult to treat is an ongoing journey and that learning new approaches has helped to recognise it more quickly and be able to lean into opportunities to do more about it. Studio guest, Barney Dunn, Professor of Clinical Psychology at Exeter University, explains new ways of helping people who may find themselves in a treatment gap. He discusses new research clinics across the country addressing this 'missing middle' that allow people to self-refer. And Claudia meets Ed Bullmore, author of 'The Inflamed Mind: A radical new approach to depression' who called for a better understanding of the root causes of depression in his book nearly a decade ago. How far does he see that progress has been made?Plus, Claudia goes to Kings College London to experience a new approach that's being trialled for use in your own home. Transcranial direct current stimulation or TDCS, involves a very small electric current applied to the temples. Research assistant Mia German and Professor Cynthia Fu explain the latest evidence. What does wearing the headset actually feel like?Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Erika Wright Editor: Ilan Goodman Studio Manager: Tim Heffer Production coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth

Have you ever had a partner or friend suddenly stop all communication without any explanation? This week we're talking all about the psychology of ghosting.Is ghosting another person ever acceptable? And if we want to reject someone, how can we do it more kindly? And Claudia visits a unique canal boat project supporting people who have experienced psychosis, where she hears stories of recovery, connection and hope. What difference can early intervention in psychosis make to someone’s recovery? Presenter: Claudia Hammond Presenter's friend: Dr Bruce Clark Producer: Gerry Holt Production coordinator: Jana Holesworth Sound engineer: Tim HefferDetails of organisations offering help and support with mental health are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline, or you can call for free, at any time to hear recorded information on 08000 155 998.

Most of us have experienced difficult feelings like grief or stress or sadness – but are we too quick to label these feelings as a mental health problem? Clinical psychologist and author of You Are Not a Diagnosis Tanya Byron thinks we are – and we should also stop saying things like, “I’m traumatised”, “totally triggered” or “I’m so OCD”. So why does the language we use matter - and why does Tanya feel she's seeing a rise in self-diagnosis? Catherine Loveday, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Westminster, also joins us in the studio to give her take on the debate.Plus, we tackle a listener's question about why some sounds can make us feel spine-tinglingly good and why are we ticklish? Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Gerry Holt Content editor: Ilan Goodman Production coordinator: Jana Holesworth Studio engineer: Steve GreenwoodDetails of help and support with some of the issues raised are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline