In this episode, we dive into Dr. Steve Rondeau’s paper on the neurophysiology of negative self-talk — especially how perfectionism can wire the brain for constant self-criticism.

We break down how distorted thinking patterns like all-or-nothing beliefs and catastrophizing don’t just affect your mood. They show up in measurable brain activity, particularly through Posterior Alpha Asymmetry (PAA).

The research highlights how perfectionism fuels these cognitive loops and how PAA may serve as a biomarker for assessing their severity. Even more interesting: combining PAA monitoring with CBT could help clinicians tailor interventions with greater precision.

If you’ve ever wondered why your inner critic feels automatic, intrusive, or hard to shut off, this episode connects the psychology and the neuroscience behind it.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.