Category: Research
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Your body has been writing you letters for years. You just couldn’t read them
If decades of masking and the invisible weight of long COVID have left your body keeping a score nobody told you about, you are not imagining it. Lee Hopkins is a psychologist and late-diagnosed AuDHD adult who understands what you are going through from the inside out
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When the body keeps the score of a lifetime of masking
Chronic physical pain can emerge after years of neurodivergent masking because the nervous system and body absorb prolonged stress responses. When identity strain, social pressure and self-criticism accumulate over decades, the body may eventually signal overload through fatigue, tension and pain
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Steve Davis on social media’s fall
Now that Australia has passed the world’s first law on social media and teens, over a decade after it was first realised how dangerous Meta/Facebook/Instagram are to mental health, Steve Davis reflects…
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When your hand won’t listen
Your hand shapes your world—writing, creating, connecting. When Dupuytren’s contracture takes that away, the psychological toll is profound. Read how this hidden disability changes more than movement, and why acknowledging its impact can restore dignity, meaning, and connection in the face of limitation
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Why women say ‘yes’ to intimacy
Women’s intimacy is shaped by biology, emotion, and neurodiversity. Learn the real motivators, avoid misinterpretation, and adapt your relationship to grow deeper over time. Stop guessing about desire — start understanding what intimacy really means for her, right now
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Neurobollocks in therapy
Polyvagal Theory and “vagus nerve hacks” sound compelling—but when you dig into the citations, the evidence unravels. In my latest piece, I explore why massage won’t “activate” your vagus nerve and why we need sharper BS filters in psychotherapy
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Attraction when you’re neurocomplex
Tired of chasing sparks that burn out? For neurocomplex adults, attraction isn’t about chemistry—it’s about resonance, safety, and relief. Learn how to filter connections, protect your energy, and spot the rare minds that truly meet you
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When your child feels everything
Highly sensitive children aren’t broken—they’re neurologically different. Research shows 20-30% of children have heightened sensory processing sensitivity, with brains that process emotions more deeply. With understanding and support, their sensitivity becomes a superpower, leading to greater empathy, creativity, and success in nurturing environments
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Understanding AuDHD
Discover the essential guide to autism and ADHD—together. Understanding AuDHD – Third Edition blends lived experience and professional insight to explain the science, strengths, and strategies that make AuDHD unique. Clear, practical, and compassionate—this book helps you turn understanding into meaningful action for real-life impact
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The psychology behind effective study: Evidence‑based strategies that work
Unpack the science behind effective study techniques—spaced repetition, testing, desirable difficulty, and the protégé effect. Grounded in decades of research, learn how students of any age can learn more deeply, retain more information, and study smarter—not harder
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Why we fall for certain people
Attraction isn’t as random as it feels. This post explores the hidden science of romantic attraction—how biology, psychology and subconscious cues shape who we fall for. Learn what really drives your emotional chemistry, and how this knowledge can improve your relationships
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Why I love Solution-Focused (Brief) Therapy as a counselling modality
Discover why Solution-Focused (Brief) Therapy is a respectful, evidence-based approach that centres client strengths, fosters hope, and works quickly. Lee Hopkins shares how SFBT complements neurodiverse and time-limited clients while offering profound change through deceptively simple, forward-focused conversations
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Understanding the overlap between complex PTSD, autism, and ADHD
This article explores the overlapping traits and key differences between complex PTSD, autism, and ADHD. It explains how emotional dysregulation, sensory sensitivity, and suicidal ideation can present similarly—while offering clarity on diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and the need for tailored, trauma-informed, and neurodivergent-aware support
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Bridging the gap in bipolar disorder research
A Dutch study compared 258 bipolar I disorder (BD-I) outpatients with participants from four clinical cohorts and a general population sample. While many characteristics aligned, outpatients were younger, more educated, and had higher comorbidity rates than some cohorts, highlighting potential selection biases in BD research generalisability.
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Understanding quality of life in bipolar risk
A two-year study of 1,038 individuals at risk for bipolar disorder found significantly lower quality of life (QoL) compared to peers. Psychological QoL improved with risk reduction. Higher baseline functioning and self-management skills predicted better outcomes, highlighting the need for early interventions targeting coping strategies and risk monitoring
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Bipolar disorder treatment trends
A 24-year study of 8,707 bipolar disorder inpatients in German-speaking countries found declining lithium use (45% to 30%) and rising second-generation antipsychotics (e.g., quetiapine). Antidepressants remained high (≥60%) despite guidelines, and lithium-treated patients received more medications. Findings highlight gaps between clinical practice and evidence-based recommendations.
