Episode notes
Why do you sometimes react before you’ve had a chance to think? Why does insight alone not stop certain patterns, even when you understand them well?
In this episode, Dr. Yadegarfard explores the difference between reacting and acting from a neuroscience-informed, therapy-focused perspective. Rather than framing reactions as personal failures, this episode explains how fast, automatic responses are driven by the nervous system’s threat mechanisms — and how therapy helps build a pause that makes choice possible.
You’ll learn why reactions happen so quickly, why willpower is not enough to change them, and how therapy supports the gradual development of space between impulse and behaviour. This episode is designed to help you understand your reactions with less shame and more clarity, and to see change as a process of increasing capacity rather than forcing control.
You’ll learn: • The difference between reaction and intentional action • Why the brain prioritises speed over reflection under threat • Why insight alone does not stop reactive behaviour • What the “pause” really is — and what it is not • How therapy helps widen the space between impulse and choice • The role of self-compassion and acceptance in reducing reactivity • What realistic progress looks like when working with reactions
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Listen to the full episode on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Podcast Index RSS.com Community
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Connect with Dr. Yadegarfard: Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/812274 Instagram: Your_therapy_guide X (Twitter): @UrTherapyguide Email: your.therapy.guide2025@gmail.com
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