Spending Archives | Psychologies

Home » Spending

Are you paying the dopamine tax? The hidden cost of emotional spending

From treating ourselves after a difficult day to chasing the excitement of something new, shopping can offer an instant lift. But are we buying the things we want, or seeking the dopamine boost shopping brings?

Sally Saunders

16 October 202615 October 2026

Are you paying the dopamine tax? The hidden cost of emotional spending

Why you might be avoiding family photos as you get older – and how to feel more comfortable being seen

You organise the occasion, gather everyone together and take the pictures. But how often are you in them? If being photographed has become uncomfortable, there are gentle ways to feel more at ease without having to love every image.

26 October 202625 October 2026

True Crime / Family & parenting

‘The shame was never ours to bear’: how Ruth Ellis’s execution scarred generations of her family

For decades, the execution of Ruth Ellis cast a long shadow over her family, shaping childhoods, relationships and a legacy of trauma. Now, after securing a historic posthumous pardon for her grandmother, Laura Enston tells us how she is reclaiming a story that was once a source of shame.

Donna Smiley

26 October 202625 October 2026

Love life

‘Help — I can’t stop thinking about my married coworker!’: How to stop a workplace crush from becoming an affair

You can’t always control who you’re attracted to, but you can control what happens next. A therapist explains why workplace crushes develop, what they might reveal about your needs, and how to stop attraction from crossing a line.

Amy Mica Marsden

25 October 202622 October 2026

Love life

First-date nerves were ruining my love life — until I tried these psychology tips from an expert

If dating feels more like a job interview than a chance to connect, you’re not alone. Discover why first-date anxiety is so common — and how to shift your focus to prioritise real connection.

Sally Saunders

25 October 202622 October 2026

Neurodiversity

Love someone with ADHD? 5 ways to strengthen your relationship without taking their behaviour personally

Being with a partner who has ADHD present unique challenges, but they can be worked through with understanding, compassion, and effort

Rhys Thomas

24 October 202622 October 2026

True Crime

What happens when the person who murdered your loved one is on death row? The psychology of grief, justice and closure

When someone is murdered, the grief can be devastating. But for families whose loved one’s killer spends decades on death row, the wait for justice can bring its own psychological challenges. Chartered psychologist Dr Ravi Gill explains how repeated delays, anticipatory grief and the hope of an execution can affect the bereavement process – and why closure is rarely straightforward.

Donna Smiley

24 October 202622 October 2026