Dr. Diego Busiol, Psychoanalyst in Hong Kong

04/07/2025

Many people recognize themselves in ADHD symptoms—restlessness, inattention, impulsivity, outbursts, daydreaming, or feeling disconnected from the “real” world.

But ADHD isn’t a disease with a single cause (like the flu) or a simple answer. It’s a collection of experiences and symptoms that can look different for each person—and often change over time.

Sometimes, what feels like “just how I am” or “just how my brain works” is really a way (often unconscious) of coping with stress, avoiding uncomfortable feelings, or dealing with overwhelm.

Restlessness, distraction, or impulsivity may have once protected you—even if now they sometimes create problems.

💡 It’s not just about attention:
• Difficulty concentrating isn’t just a “technical” problem—it can be a way of avoiding inner emptiness, anxiety, anger, or sadness.
• Relationships—especially early ones—shape how these patterns show up. Seeking approval, struggling with boundaries, or feeling “never enough” can all play a role.
• Sometimes, the body “speaks” too: restlessness, tension, or the urge to keep moving can be ways of expressing discomfort or unmet needs.

ADHD isn’t a virus you “catch.” It’s also not a fixed condition or a life sentence.
These symptoms often overlap with anxiety, depression, trauma, or past difficulties—and can shift depending on your environment, from school to work, from quiet moments to busy days.

So, don’t just focus on the label.

Psychoanalysis offers a space to explore what these experiences truly mean and do for you—beyond the label. It’s about understanding yourself more deeply and giving voice to what’s unspoken.

Want to know more?
✨ Read my ADHD FAQ: https://diegobusiol.com/conditions-we-treat/adhd/

14/02/2025

Traditional Chinese values, business culture, fast-paced life, and psychoanalysis.

I shared my experiences and reflections with colleagues at the Ljubljana School of Psychoanalysis. Join the conversation and share your thoughts:

0:05 Introduction: Encountering Hong Kong's Otherness
5:20 The Absent Psychoanalysis: An Unexpected Research Journey
11:37 Key differences between Psychoanalysis and any other orientations
14:02 Psychoanalytic Listening and Hong Kong Culture
17:18 Obstacles and Opportunities for Psychoanalysis
22:22 Psychoanalysis was never brought to Hong Kong
25:48 The practical and goal-oriented attitude of Hong Kong
29:35 My Clinical Experiences in Hong Kong
32:35 Psychoanalysis in China: A Complex History
47:45 The Persistence of Traditional Values and Their Impact on Symptoms
51:20 The Contemporary Symptom: Between Tradition and Modernity
54:52 Psychoanalysis in the Hypermodern Context

In this talk, I share my personal perspective from practicing psychoanalysis in Hong Kong for over 15 years. As a psychoanalyst and author of "Psychoanalysis...

07/10/2024

🔍 Explore some of the reasons behind the widespread discussion of impostor syndrome in today's society.

1 SOCIETAL PRESSURE - The "Be Anything" Paradox

🌟 Society sends us double messages: "You can be anything!" But the hidden caveat is "as long as you're rich, famous, and productive." This paradox suggests freedom while constraining authentic self-expression, creating a breeding ground for impostor feelings.

🏆 Furthermore, the "meritocracy myth" - the belief that success is purely based on individual merit and abilities - further intensifies feelings of inadequacy by ignoring systemic factors and privileges (Imposter feelings are prevalent among women and minorities).

2 SOCIAL MEDIA IMPACT - The Amplifying Effect

📱 Impostor syndrome has surged in recent years, particularly since becoming a topic on social media. This could be a mass identification effect, but social media also intensifies our tendency to compare ourselves to others' curated lives. The "highlight reel" effect creates a distorted view of reality, fueling FOMO and amplifying feelings of inadequacy.

3 A SYMPTOM OF OUR TIMES - A Reflection of Current Social Discourse and Ideals

🧠 Impostor syndrome is part of a broader trend including anxiety, narcissism, ADHD, burnout and eating disorders - symptoms of an ego struggling with contradictory demands. It reflects the tension between societal expectations and personal authenticity. This contrasts with historical, repression-based symptoms and highlights our evolving societal discourse.

💡 Two paradoxes: a) this society tells you that you're free to be anything you want, but in reality there are many pressures to which the ego feels it cannot respond; b) in our self-absorbed, ego-centric society, we struggle to define our true selves.

🌱 Interestingly, when managed well, impostor syndrome can lead to greater self-awareness and humility, driving continuous self-improvement.

💬 Share your thoughts in the comments

26/09/2024

🧠 Impostor Syndrome: 3 Facts That Might Surprise You

There are some things about Impostor Syndrome that you might not know. Let's dive deeper:

1️⃣ Not a Disorder
Believe it or not, Impostor Syndrome isn't an official psychiatric or psychological diagnosis. You won't find it in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). It's simply a popular term used to describe a feeling that many people experience. It's a common sentiment, not a clinical condition.

2️⃣ More Common Than You Imagine
Studies suggest that the vast majority of people have felt this way at some point in their lives. It's far more widespread than most realize. Interestingly, these feelings aren't necessarily negative unless they become pervasive and start interfering with daily life.

3️⃣ Unrelated to Your Abilities
Surprisingly, Impostor Syndrome often affects high achievers. It's not about your actual skills or competence. Instead, it's about the discrepancy between various self-images we hold. For example, you might feel confident but then find yourself making mistakes or working slowly. Or you might feel inadequate, yet succeed effortlessly with everything going smoothly. Our self-image doesn't always align with our experiences or the image reflected back to us by our actions and achievements.

Understanding these facts can help us navigate these feelings better.

What strategies have you used to combat Impostor Syndrome? Or what aspect of it puzzles you the most? Share in the comments! 🤔💬

19/09/2024

We're easily captivated by the visual 👀:

🎭 Behaviors
🖼️ Images
💭 Fantasies

Too often, we judge and react based on these visual elements.
For example, we often judge based on:

• How people act
• What they look like
• What we imagine/visualize about them

Many therapies as well aim to normalize these visible behaviors, without even interrogating it. 🤔

Psychoanalysis operates on another level. 🚀 It's about breaking down these visual elements into words 🗣️. They will reveal a wide range of (often unconscious):

💡 Assumptions
🌱 Beliefs
🔥 Desires

They will reveal a whole different story behind those images.

Why don't we just focus on behaviors? Because the same behavior or fantasy can have different meanings for different people. 🧩

Similar behaviors, BUT different stories: consider these (I know I know, very simplistic) examples

Always punctual ⏰:
• Person A: Coping with childhood experiences of unpredictability 🏠
• Person B: Expressing control over daily life uncertainties 🌪️
• Person C: Unconsciously seeking approval from authority figures 👔

Always cracking jokes 😄:
• Person A: Managing social anxiety through humor 😅
• Person B: Carrying on a family tradition of witty banter 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
• Person C: Using laughter to deflect from discussing personal issues 🛡️

It's words that give sense to the visible, constructing and even anticipating it: we often see what we expect to see. 👁️‍🗨️

Remember: there's always more to understand beneath the surface. 🌊

Challenge: Look at a behavior you often judge. Can you imagine 3 different reasons for it? Share your insights! 🧠💡

12/09/2024

"We are never so defenseless against suffering as when we love, never so helplessly unhappy as when we have lost our loved object or its love." - Freud

Freud's take on love is more nuanced than it first appears:

1. "Defenseless" isn't just negative. It's also about opening up, lowering our barriers.
2. Love makes us vulnerable, yes. But it's also how we connect and form bonds.
3. We're unhappy when we lose love, but also when we're alone.
4. Love, even if sometimes illusory, allows us to reach out and establish relationships.

So, love is a double-edged sword: it exposes us to pain, but it's also our bridge to others and, potentially, to happiness.

Is the risk worth it? How do you navigate this paradox of love?

05/09/2024

In a world where seriousness often weighs us down, a dash of irony might just be the miracle cure we're all seeking. 🌟

Sometimes in session, fortunately, we arrive at irony and laughter. Suddenly, problems seem to shrink, worries dissolve, and our insights sparkle like the waters of Lourdes. ✨

But here's a thought: What if the real pilgrimage isn't to a shrine or an analyst's office, but to that playful corner of our minds where irony is? 🤔

So, whether you're on your analyst's couch or packing for Lourdes, remember to bring irony with you. It might just be the most effective treatment of all. 😊

In the dance between the conscious and unconscious, sometimes a well-timed chuckle is the best step forward. 💃🕺

👇 What's your favorite way to bring a little irony into your day?

29/08/2024

It's not limited to acquiring technique or academic knowledge but extends to a continual work of deconstructing one's own beliefs, unconscious assumptions and fantasies.

The psychoanalyst's journey is an eternal dance with the unconscious, a perpetual unfolding of understanding.

Each patient is a new universe, each session a voyage into uncharted waters. But unlike those ancient seekers, analysts know their own minds are part of the process. Every interpretation offered is also a mirror held up to the self. A mirror reflecting our own understanding and biases.

In this sacred space between analyst and analysand, both are transformed. It's a continuous cycle of learning, unlearning, and relearning – where there's only one teacher: the unconscious.

To be an analyst is to commit to lifelong growth, to dance with shadows and light, always curious, always becoming.

26/08/2024

🧠 How do we see others? Often through distorted lenses:

• When anxious (neuroses): as friends or foes
• When seeking control (perversions): as objects to use
• When losing touch with reality (psychoses): as saviors or persecutors

But what if the key to genuine relationships is to connect with our unconscious? 🤔

J. Lacan said: "The only thing to be guilty about is giving up on your desire."
Surprise: It's not about selfishness, but authenticity!

Pursuing one's unconscious desire isn't about becoming selfish. On the contrary, it allows us to relate better both to ourselves and thus with others.

Why this matters:
1️⃣ We often see in others only a reflection of ourselves
2️⃣ We fall into the "us vs. them" trap, caught in good/evil dichotomies
3️⃣ Real growth? Question our hidden beliefs and unconscious desires
4️⃣ Paradox: By exploring ourselves, we see others more clearly
5️⃣ Result: More genuine, less aggressive relationships

Remember: Understanding your mind isn't selfish – it's about attuning to your unconscious desire without conditions. It's the key to authentic connections! 💖

Psychoanalysis aims to help us reestablish a relationship with the 'big Other' within ourselves, leading to better relationships with others.

💬 What's your take on this journey to self-discovery? Share in the comments!

22/08/2024

"We are never so defenseless against suffering as when we love, never so helplessly unhappy as when we have lost our loved object or its love." - Freud

Freud's take on love is more nuanced than it first appears:

1. "Defenseless" isn't just negative. It's also about opening up, lowering our barriers.
2. Love makes us vulnerable, yes. But it's also how we connect and form bonds.
3. We're unhappy when we lose love, but also when we're alone.
4. Love, even if sometimes illusory, allows us to reach out and establish relationships.

So, love is a double-edged sword: it exposes us to pain, but it's also our bridge to others and, potentially, to happiness.

Is the risk worth it? How do you navigate this paradox of love?

19/08/2024

🔍 Desire: The Wild Horse of the Mind

Ever felt like your mind is playing tricks on you? Or that life suddenly aligns when you follow your heart? Welcome to the fascinating world of desire!

Desire is the star of our life story. It's eccentric - pushing us, pulling us, sometimes out of our comfort zones, but also towards greatness.

Think about it:
• Craving something you know isn't good for you? ✅
• Feeling zero desire and wondering what's up? ✅
• Attracted to people who are basically walking red flags? ✅
• Achieving the impossible when passion drives you? ✅

That's desire in action. It doesn't always follow logic, but it can move mountains.

In analysis, we explore:

• Why do we desire what we don't want to want? (and viceversa)
• How come our desires feel so out of sync sometimes?
• What's with the pull towards "toxic" stuff?
• How does desire create 'magical' coincidences in life?

Desire is the plot twist AND the main storyline. It's the current beneath the surface and the wave that carries us forward. Understanding it is key to understanding yourself.

When you're scratching your head over your wants or marveling at unexpected opportunities, that's desire working its magic. You're not alone in this incredible journey! 🐎✨

Has desire ever led you somewhere unexpected but amazing? Share your thoughts! 👇

12/08/2024

"Psychopathology": The Ways We Defend Against Desire

If you think about it, neuroses and psychosys are nothing but different ways of defending against desire or not wanting to know about it. For example:

In depressive states, we notice the lack of desire, having lost track of one's own desire. Nothing seems to make a difference anymore. Life is reduced to a series of duties and obligations. Nothing makes sense anymore, and one feels completely empty.

Hysteria continuously questions the desire of others, wanting to be desired, but not really wanting to know about her own desire.

In anorexia, the desire is replaced by the will.

And the obsessive? The obsessive can only desire if the desire is an impossible one.

Desire remains the central issue in life and in psychoanalysis.

🔍 Have you noticed how desire (or lack thereof) affects your mental state? Share your thoughts below!