Have you ever felt like things were not quite real? That you were no longer connected to your body or didn’t know who you were? Nathan Dunne felt this way for years. And it’s never quite stopped affecting the way he sees himself or the world around him. Today, depersonalisation disorder — and what we know about its symptoms, causes and treatments. And a heads up, this episode discusses heavy topics such as suicide. Please take care while listening. Guests: Nathan Dunne Author, When Nothing Feels Real Dr Emma Cernis Clinical psychologist and researcher Assisant Professor of Clinical Psychology University of Birmingham Centre Lead, Midlands Dissociation & Depersonalisation Centre Credits: Presenter/Producer: Sana Qadar Reporter/Senior Producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Sound Engineer: Tegan Nicholls If you enjoyed this episode, you might like: Can we trust our memories? Memory loss and identity Dissociation and coping with trauma Depersonalisation — when Nathan lost his sense of self and nothing felt real (Conversations) More Information: When Nothing Feels Real - Nathan Dunne Unreal: Depersonalisation and Derealisation Support Like being trapped behind a pane of glass – depersonalisation, derealisation disorder explained (The Conversation, 2025) Depersonalisation-derealisation as a transdiagnostic treatment target: a scoping review of the evidence in anxiety, depression, and psychosis (Frontiers in Psychology, 2025) The Prevalence of Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder: A Systematic Review (Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 2023) Support resources: Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond Blue

Love it or hate it, there are reasons you might read your star sign and relate to what it says about you as a person. We all fall into cognitive traps — but if we’re aware of them, is it such a bad thing to indulge in your daily horoscope, or a tarot card reading? Today, we delve into the occult, to understand why some people seek messages from the universe, and if it can play a role in therapeutic care. If you want to hear more about otherworldly beliefs, check out our episode Spooky science: What's behind a paranormal experience? And Soul Search also has an episode called Astrology and tarot — telling the future, or connecting with the present? Guests: Professor Susan Krauss Whitbourne Professor Emerita of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst Ryan Findlay Psychotherapist and tarot reader Credits: Presenter: Sana Qadar Reporter/producer: Shelby Traynor Senior producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Sound engineer: Simon Branthwaite Extra information: When It Comes to Personality Tests, a Dose of Skepticism Is a Good Thing Why You Might Not Want to Trust a Personality Test – Psychology Today The validity of astrological predictions on marriage and divorce: a longitudinal analysis of Swedish register data Even the stars think that I am superior: Personality, intelligence and belief in astrology The Power of Rituals – Psychology Today

The backpacker killer. The Claremont killer. Ted Bundy. The crimes serial killers commit linger in our memories for decades. But when was the last time you heard about an active serial killer in the news? In our final episode of Criminal Psychology, we probe the lead-crime hypothesis, find out about 'chemical castration' and ask — where have all the serial killers gone? And a heads up that this episode explores some heavy themes including sexual assault, child abuse, suicide and murder. It also contains the names of Aboriginal people who have died. Please take care while listening. If you've got more questions for our forensic psychiatrist Dr Rajan Darjee, please send them to us! We're going to make a special mail-bag episode featuring your burning true crime questions. Get in touch by emailing us at mind_rn@abc.net.au with the subject line "criminal psychology question". Guests: Dr Rajan Darjee Forensic psychiatrist Clinical Director, Forensic Behavioural Assessment and Consultation Services Dr Xanthe Mallett Criminologist Associate Professor of Criminology, Central Queensland University Co-Director, Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research Podcast co-host, Motive and Method Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Senior producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Sound engineer: Emrys Cronin More information: The lead-crime hypothesis: A meta-analysis Support resources: Beyond Blue Lifeline 13 11 14 1800 Respect

What drives some people to steal compulsively? This week, as part of our special four-part series Criminal Psychology, we're talking about kleptomania and the impact it can have on a person's life. We speak to someone who’s been diagnosed with kleptomania about their experiences; from their urges to steal, to the guilt and shame they feel. We also chat to a psychiatrist about what treatment looks like for people with kleptomania. Guests: Lynn Dr Sam Chamberlain Professor of Psychiatry, University of Southampton  Credits: Presenter/Producer: Sana Qadar Reporter/Senior Producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Sound Engineer: Emrys Cronin Voice Actor: Swa Kaushik More information: Symptom Severity and Its Clinical Correlates in Kleptomania A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Opiate Antagonist, Naltrexone, in the Treatment of Kleptomania Why do young children sometimes steal? And what should parents do about it? Kleptomania — Mayo Clinic Kleptomania and Potential Exacerbating Factors

Australians know the devastation of bushfires all too well. So why would anyone deliberately light a fire? In this episode of Criminal Psychology, our new four-part series on unusual crimes and unusual minds, we're exploring the psychology of arson. Answering questions like, how does it relate to pyromania? What do we know about the profile of a typical arsonist? And how do investigators track down the source of a blaze? Guests: Dr Paul Read Climate criminologist Dr Nichola Tyler Senior lecturer, forensic psychology Swinburne University of Technology Richard Woods Director, Wildfire Investigations and Analysis Adjunct Associate Lecturer, Wildfire Investigation, Charles Sturt University Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Senior producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Sound engineer: Emrys Cronin Extra information: Adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism who deliberately set fires: A systematic review The truth about Australia's fires — arsonists aren't responsible for many this season Some Coalition MPs say that arson is mostly to blame for the bushfire crisis. Here are the facts Deliberately lit vegetation fires in Australia Clinical characteristics of child and adolescent psychiatric outpatients engaging in fireplay or arson: a case–control study What are the differences between children and adolescents who deliberately light fires? The Acquisition of Fire

Why would any parent lie about their child's health? Or worse, intentionally make their child sick? In episode one of Criminal Psychology, our new four-part series on unusual crimes and unusual minds, we dive into a disorder that’s long been sensationalised in the media: Munchausen by Proxy – and ask: how do these parents get away with their lies? Can their behaviour ever be reformed? Guests: Brenda Bursch, PhD Director, Pediatric Psychology in Outpatient Subspecialty Pediatrics Program Professor of Clinical Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences Professor of Clinical Pediatrics David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles Professor Jon Jureidini Child psychiatrist Research Leader, Robinson Research Institute University of Adelaide Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Senior producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Executive producer: Petria Ladgrove Sound engineer: John Jacobs Extra information: Munchausen by Proxy: Clinical and Case Management Guidance APSAC Advisor Volume 30, Issue 1- Munchausen by Proxy Special Issue Psychological Treatment of Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another/Munchausen by Proxy Abuse The mothers accused of poisoning their kids Support resources: Lifeline Australia 13 11 14

On All in the Mind, we investigate why people behave the way they do. But there are some perspectives we don't often hear about. Introducing Criminal Psychology, a special series diving into just that. On this four-episode series, we'll cover arson, kleptomania, serial killers and Munchausen by proxy as we look at what drives people to the extremes of human behaviour. And we'll examine how our understanding of the human mind can better help us to prevent harm. Whether you're a dedicated fan of true crime or curious about the inner workings of our minds, stay tuned — our first episode is out on Sunday June 29.

Time and time again, Dr Rangan Chatterjee has seen chronic stress wreak havoc on his patients' lives — contributing to autoimmune disorders, gut problems, low libido and more. But the most devastating blow struck his own family, when his father's punishing work schedule forced him to medically retire in his 50s. It’s an experience that led Rangan to rethink his own work and approach to medicine. Today, Dr Chatterjee, a GP and host of a mega popular wellbeing podcast, shares his story, as well as strategies for better managing stress in your own life. Guest: Dr Rangan Chatterjee GP, author and host of Feel Better, Live More Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Senior producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Sound engineer: Tegan Nicholls More information:  Rangan's Australian tour

Loneliness hurts. And we know it's bad for us, worse than smoking or obesity. Even though a third of us are lonely, we're embarrassed to say so.  So, what would happen if we talked about our loneliness openly? And how can we build more meaningful connections? This week we have a special episode from our friends at Ladies, We Need To Talk. Host Yumi Stynes speaks to women who are lonely, one within a marriage and one hoping to find a partner, to understand the toll it can take. Plus, psychologist Dr Bella Ingram shares tips on how we can insulate ourselves from the chill of being lonely. More information: Ending Loneliness Report Resources: Beyond Blue Lifeline 13 11 14

Concussions are hard to diagnose, often get missed, and don't always get taken seriously. And if you're not a professional athlete, it can be surprisingly hard to get clear information on how to manage and recover afterwards. Why? The brain is your most important organ, after all! This week, we try and make sense of the confusion around concussions. This episode was first broadcast in October 2023. Guests: Dr Lewis Freeth Psychiatrist Kate Naznin Virji-Babul Physical therapist and neuroscientist Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy Faculty of Medicine University of British Columbia Shreya Mcleod Physiotherapist Lecturer, Australian Catholic University PhD candidate, University of Newcastle Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Producer: Rose Kerr Sound engineer: Russell Stapleton