Controlled Explosions in Mental Health: A Compassionate Guide to Understanding Why Our Brains Self-Sabotage, Self-Criticise, and Self-Harm

Have you ever wondered why your brain self-sabotages? Or why your actions seem self-defeating or destructive? This book explores how our brains have evolved to favour survival over mental well-being - creating ’controlled explosions’ - and provides practical ways to understand, acknowledge and defuse them.

Controlled Explosions in Mental Health identifies everyday scenarios in which one may experience self-destructive behaviour such as procrastination or self-criticism. Each chapter guides the reader through key examples of controlled explosions, identifying and exploring their possible functions. Readers will learn how to identify when one or more of these ’explosions’ are operating in their lives, recognise the potential harm or difficulties this may cause, and learn practical ways to navigate and overcome. The friendly, accessible narrative, teamed with illustrations, guided examples, and worksheets to aid self-practice, makes this book the ultimate companion for navigating your mental health.

This book supports the path to self-awareness, helping the reader take control of their own struggles with insight, care, and compassion. It’s a must-read for any reader looking to better understand their mental health and well-being.

Dr Charlie Heriot-Maitland is a clinical psychologist, researcher, author, and trainer. Having started his career as a therapist in NHS mental health services, he co-founded an organization in 2012 called Balanced Minds, which specializes in providing Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and self-help resources for the public, and CFT training and consultation for professionals and organizations.