Dr Sonia Ahmed

30/07/2026

16/07/2026

03/07/2026

17/06/2026

10/06/2026

Did you catch me on talking about hoarding.

Hoarding isn’t laziness, messiness, or a lack of care.

For many people, every item holds a memory, a sense of safety, or protection from loss. Letting go can trigger overwhelming anxiety, grief, or fear that others may never see.

Behind the clutter is often a story of trauma, loss, attachment, or emotional pain.

If you or someone you love struggles with hoarding, remember: shame rarely creates change. Compassion, understanding, and the right support do.

Healing starts when we look beyond the possessions and understand the person holding onto them. ❤️

05/06/2026

1. Apologising for things that aren’t your fault.
2. Feeling guilty every time you say “no.”
3. Explaining or justifying every decision you make.
4. Constantly worrying that people are angry with you.
5. Walking on eggshells around other people.
6. Putting everyone else’s needs before your own.
7. Feeling responsible for other people’s emotions and reactions.
8. Needing reassurance that you’ve done nothing wrong.
9. Struggling to identify what you want because you’re used to focusing on everyone else.
10. Feeling unsafe when things are calm because you’re waiting for something to go wrong.

💙 These aren’t personality traits. They are often survival strategies developed in response to trauma.

If you recognised yourself in any of these, you’re not alone. Many survivors develop behaviours that once helped them stay safe but may no longer serve them. Healing is not about blaming yourself for these responses—it’s about understanding them with compassion and learning new ways to feel safe.

✨ Which one resonates with you most?

05/06/2026

What to look for when seeking a therapist.

15/05/2026

Here are some signs that an abuse survivor may be unknowingly recreating familiar, unhealthy dynamics, and how you can begin to change this.

11/05/2026

You’re not imagining it. Those moments when you question your own reality, when you wonder if you’re “too sensitive” or “overreacting” — that confusion is real, and it’s often by design. Abusive relationships thrive in the grey areas, making you doubt what you know to be true.

I’d tell myself that leaving isn’t a single decision — it’s a hundred small ones. And that’s okay. Each time you recognize a pattern, each time you reach out to someone you trust, each time you allow yourself to feel angry instead of guilty, you’re moving forward. Even when it doesn’t feel like it.

I’d remind myself that healing doesn’t have a timeline. You won’t wake up one day and suddenly be “over it.” But you will wake up one day and realize the weight feels lighter. That the voice in your head sounds more like yours again. That you’re reclaiming pieces of yourself you thought were lost.

And most importantly? I’d tell myself that asking for help isn’t weakness — it’s one of the bravest things you’ll ever do.

If you’re ready to start untangling the confusion
and reclaiming your sense of self, I’m here. My therapy practice specialises in supporting people who’ve experienced interpersonal abuse. Get in touch, and let’s explore what healing could look like for you.

 TraumaInformedTherapy

07/05/2026

It was great to be interviewed by on hoarding and whether or not it’s a mental health condition.

Hoarding is a recognised mental health condition where someone finds it extremely difficult to throw things away — even items that may seem to have little or no value to others. It’s not simply about being messy or disorganised. Often, the possessions provide emotional comfort, a sense of safety, or help someone cope with stress, anxiety, trauma, or loss.

Breaking the habit can be incredibly difficult because letting go of items can cause intense emotional distress. Over time, hoarding can seriously affect a person’s daily life, relationships, physical health, and safety at home. Without understanding and proper support, it can become overwhelming and deeply isolating.