When doctors tell us our tests are normal, many people hear a very different message: "It's all in your head." But what if that phrase is based on a complete misunderstanding of how the mind and body actually work together?
In this episode of Psychology, Actually, I am joined by Health Psychologist Dr Sula Windgassen, author of It's All In Your Body, to explore chronic illness, pain, recurrent UTIs, adenomyosis, periods, stress, nervous system regulation and the powerful relationship between physical and psychological health.
We discuss why so many people feel dismissed when living with chronic symptoms, how medical uncertainty can become psychologically overwhelming, and why understanding the mind-body connection can be deeply validating rather than blaming.Whether you're living with chronic illness, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about how psychology and physical health interact, this episode offers practical insights and hope.
Highlights
- 00:00 Why "it's all in your head" misses the point
- 01:06 Dr Sula's personal journey with chronic illness
- 02:51 Why the book is called It's All In Your Body
- 04:09 The problem with normal test results
- 06:36 Chronic illness, fibromyalgia and feeling blamed
- 10:36 Periods, pain and adenomyosis
- 13:33 Why women often normalise suffering
- 14:39 Chronic illness and trauma responses
- 16:33 Why we need better conversations about periods
- 18:00 Psychobiological loops explained
- 21:23 Biology-balanced behaviour and allostatic load
- 25:47 Migraines, sleep and routine
- 27:15 Glutamate, decision fatigue and modern life
- 29:26 The Default Mode Network and creativity
- 33:19 Chronic illness, fear and nervous system responses
- 36:11 How breathing changes physiology
- 39:13 Hope, healing and taking back control
Links:
📚 Grab Sula Windgassen's Book It's All in Your Body: A Practical Roadmap to Healing Through Mind-Body Connection here: https://amzn.to/4oE9mBG
📲 Connect with Dr Sula Windgassen here: https://www.instagram.com/the_health_psychologist_/
Sula's Website: https://www.healthpsychologist.co.uk
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