Podcast · 50 episodes

Complex with Kimberley Wilson

by BBC Sounds · English

Welcome to Complex, the podcast that cuts a clear path through all the information and misinformation that's out there about our mental health. Because let's face it - there's so much of it! And a lot of it makes us worry - maybe I've got ADHD! Perhaps I've got empathy overload? Is my partner a narcissist? Kimberley Wilson is a chartered psychologist and she's on a mission to help you decide when to be concerned about what your mind is doing - and when not to be. Together with her expert guests - psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists - she shares some valuable tips for how you can manage your mental health better. With the help of listeners' stories, Kimberley delves into different topics from helping you to work out whether you're a people-pleaser and what you can do about it; to understanding what attachment theory is and how it affects your relationship; to unpicking social anxiety and how best to grapple with it. If you have a question or observation about mental health, then please let us know. The email address is complex@bbc.co.uk. We might use what you tell us in the show, but we will make sure to do so anonymously. If you don't want your email to be included in the podcast, then please remember to let us know. Please be aware that Kimberley is not able to answer emails personally. If you are concerned you have a medical or mental health issue, then please contact your GP or seek expert help. Please also take a look on the BBC Actionline page: https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/ where you can find details of organisations offering information and support for common issues. Complex is a Loftus Media production for BBC Sounds. Commissioning Producer: Izzy Lee-Poulton Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

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Latest episodes

How to feel better at workEmotional labour at work—how regulating and performing “acceptable” emotions can drain people, contribute to emotional dissonance and burnout, and what individuals and workplaces can do to feel…30 Sep 2026 · 25 min

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How to manage shameThe psychology of shame—how it differs from guilt, why people feel it when they haven’t “done wrong,” what it does in the brain and behavior, and how to reduce it by challenging inner beliefs and…16 Sep 2026 · 28 min

All episodes

Do you have trauma or PTSD?Trauma and PTSD—how trauma is misunderstood, what it looks/feels like, how it affects the brain/body, when it becomes PTSD, and how people can recover.9 Sep 2026 · 29 min · 17 chapters

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What is disorganised attachment?Disorganized attachment (often linked to “fearful avoidant”)—how it forms in early childhood, how it shows up in adult relationships, and what helps. Guest backgrounds: Dr.19 Aug 2026 · 28 min · 14 chapters

Why is it so hard to talk about sex?The episode explores why talking about sex feels awkward and how to have healthier sexual communication in relationships, including consent, shame, and desire differences.12 Aug 2026 · 28 min · 15 chapters

Why do we get jealous?Complex (psychology podcast) episode on why people feel jealousy, how to distinguish jealousy from envy, and when it becomes harmful.5 Aug 2026 · 27 min · 10 chapters

When does porn use become a problem?When does porn use become a problem? The episode argues that porn is often not inherently harmful, but becomes problematic when it’s used to regulate difficult emotions, when it creates internal…29 Jul 2026 · 30 min · 11 chapters

How to stop maskingMasking—camouflaging or suppressing parts of yourself (opinions, feelings, identity) to feel safe and accepted.22 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 14 chapters

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Are you an introvert or an extrovert?Introversion vs extroversion—energy sources, misconceptions, and how personality interacts with workplaces, relationships, and mental health (including anxiety and burnout).8 Jul 2026 · 28 min · 11 chapters

How to spot a 'red flag'The episode explains how to interpret “red flags” and “green flags” in dating and relationships, arguing they’re best understood as behavioral patterns over time rather than one-off incidents.1 Jul 2026 · 30 min · 11 chapters

Are you overstimulated?Sensory overload—what it is, why it happens, how it differs from emotional overwhelm, and practical ways to prevent, manage, and recover from it.24 Jun 2026 · 25 min · 13 chapters

How to handle embarrassmentHow embarrassment works psychologically and socially, why it’s physical and self-conscious, when it becomes harmful, and practical ways to manage it (e.g., self-acceptance, perspective-taking,…17 Jun 2026 · 26 min · 12 chapters

Am I a procrastinator?Procrastination isn’t laziness; it’s driven by emotion and self-regulation failure, often linked to anxiety/boredom/self-doubt.10 Jun 2026 · 28 min · 16 chapters

How to deal with health anxietyHealth anxiety—how normal health worries become persistent fear of serious illness, with checking, reassurance-seeking, online research, avoidance, and “acting ill,” creating a vicious cycle of…3 Jun 2026 · 26 min · 13 chapters

Giving yourself compassionSelf-compassion—how to relate to distress with kindness, shared humanity, and mindfulness; why the harsh inner critic is hard to silence; and practical ways to practice self-compassion without…27 May 2026 · 28 min · 10 chapters

How to set boundariesHow to set healthy relationship boundaries—what boundaries are, why they’re hard, and how to communicate and hold them without becoming rigid or coercive.20 May 2026 · 29 min · 11 chapters

Are you feeling overwhelmed?How to calm an overwhelmed mind in a digitally busy life, linking thoughts, body sensations, and brain processes; includes signs of tipping into chronic overwhelm and practical reset options…13 May 2026 · 27 min · 14 chapters

You are good enough!Feeling “good enough” versus “not good enough,” how self-worth gets tied to external success/performance, and how to build a steadier inner sense of worth.6 May 2026 · 26 min · 11 chapters

How to manage your emotionsEmotion regulation—how to understand what emotions are, why “bad” emotions aren’t inherently harmful, and practical ways to manage dysregulation (e.g., rumination, suppression) using body awareness,…29 Apr 2026 · 28 min · 17 chapters

What is family estrangement?Family estrangement—defined as low/no contact and low emotional warmth—its complexity, stigma, grief, and ripple effects across other relationships.22 Apr 2026 · 29 min · 16 chapters