Jón Ingi Hlynsson

@project-jih

PhD student at Stockholm University currently engaged in research about internalizing disorders. In addition, I am also interning as a clinical psychologist student intern at the University Hospital of Iceland. My academic journey has a track record of success in research. Examples: ► Conducted research on the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of the PHQ-2 and GAD-2 screening tools, published in Frontiers in Psychology ► Explored the short and long-term negative effects of psilocybin-assisted psychological interventions, published in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies ► Investigated the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on anxiety and depression symptoms in a Swedish clinical population receiving internet-based psychotherapy, published in Clinical Psychology in Europe My goal is to bridge the gap between clinical practice with academic research to promote well-being at a societal level! Specialties: Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, Mental Health Assessment, Quantitative Research, Academic Writing, Presentation Skills, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Teaching, Counseling, CBT, DBT.

32 posts

Differential Diagnosis Is Not the Hard Part

#criticism #exposure therapy #psychometrics #Reflections #Social Anxiety

Why Winter is the BEST time to start running!

#positive spin #Running

We have just spent months scrolling through finish lines and glorious race medals.

For seasoned runners, it can feel like an ending.

For a beginner, it can feel like you’ve missed the boat entirely.

That is a lie.

This is the time to:

Build real strength in the gym so you’re less prone to injury.

Figure out nutrition that actually fuels you.

Create a routine so disciplined that you don’t need to rely on motivation.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jon Ingi Hlynsson (@jonhlynsson)

#running #winter #goal-setting #motivation #runningmotivation #Instagram

The ADHD Tax: A Bureaucracy Nightmare

I had a moment earlier this week. As a professional, I know all the statistics on access to mental health care. As a patient, dealing with the Swedish (or any) system for my own ADHD medication is just soul-crushing. They are requiring my fifth application because old notes are suddenly “not valid.” This isn’t just an administrative error; this is a systemic barrier to care. This is the…

Bacillskräck? 🦠 Gratis behandling för OCD (tvångssyndrom). 👉 Läs mer & anmäl dig idag!

View On WordPress

Why the Widely Used PHQ-9 Might Not Be Telling the Full Story

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a short, nine-item questionnaire that has become a go-to tool for assessing depression symptoms and even diagnosing major depression in primary care and research. It’s recommended by clinical guidelines and used globally to inform crucial decisions about treatment and clinical trial eligibility. But what if this widely adopted tool isn’t as reliable…

#Depression #new article #psychometrics #Research

Rauðavatn 6h: Longest Run, Silver Medal, and the Race I Needed

Rauðavatn Ultra was held for the first time last week and I competed. What a race! Official timing gave me 57.948 km in 6:00:00 and a silver medal. Pre-race nerves were hitting here! After the Stockholm Marathon, I had unfinished business. That marathon left me with the sense that my real limits had gone untapped. Rauðavatn became the place to fix that. The build was anything but clean. Just…

#Goal-setting #Goals #Reflections #Running

Hlynsson, J. I., Bergström, J., & Carlbring, P. (in press). Seeing Beyond the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual: A Function-Centered Review of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Anxiety Disorders. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2025.100967

#New paper #OCD

My 8 Rules for Better Public Speaking

Public speaking is a skill that many of us struggle with, especially when faced with the anxiety of presenting to a group. I was recently honored to present at the Icelandic Psychology Conference Sálfræðiþing and have been reflecting on my ability to deliver engaging presentations. Over time, I’ve developed several techniques to manage the anxiety and deliver more engaging presentations. Here’s…

#Conference #Public Speaking #Reflections

Understanding OCD Through Cognitive Models

The cognitive model for anxiety disorders, as delineated by experts such as Clark (1986) for Panic Disorder, Clark and Wells (1995) for Social Anxiety Disorder, and Salkovskis (1985) for OCD, has demonstrated a profound clinical impact on specific disorders. This impact persists despite the supposed neurological differences in different anxiety disorders postulated by researchers like Gray and…

Historical Development of Behavioral Activation

Recently, while researching behavioral activation in depth, I explored its historical development. Though this historical angle proved irrelevant to my project and I had to set it aside (cf. kill your darlings), I thought I'd share those findings with you!

Recently, while researching behavioral activation in depth, I explored its historical development. Though this historical angle proved irrelevant to my project and I had to set it aside (cf. kill your darlings), I thought I’d share those findings here! The Origin of Behavioral Activation Behavioral activation for depression is grounded in behavioristic tradition. In 1973, Ferster outlined a…

Taktu púlsinn á sambandinu þínu fyrir Valentínusardaginn!

Náið parasamband er eitt mikilvægasta lífsmarkmið mannsins. Rómantísk parsambönd geta stuðlað að heilbrigðri hegðun og spornað gegn þróun geðraskana. Sem dæmi stuðlar stuðningur frá maka að auknu sjálfsöryggi til að standa sig í stykkinu hvað varðar það að bæta svefnvenjur sínar og stunda líkamsrækt, en hvort tveggja eru dæmi um verndandi lífsstílsþætti í samhengi líkamlegrar og andlegrar…

#íslenska #New paper #Positive Emotions

How Does OCD Function?

Is there overlap between anxiety and OCD? In short: YES! Research consistently highlights the functional similarities between anxiety and OCD. Both conditions involve heightened responsibility, catastrophic beliefs, and safety-seeking behaviors. These shared features suggest a common underlying mechanism. In OCD, obsessions are intrusive thoughts causing distress, leading to compulsions aimed at reducing that distress. Anxiety disorders involve excessive fear and safety-seeking behaviors (e.g., avoidance) to reduce that excessive fear.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood, with many people viewing it as simply a quirk or a need for cleanliness. However, it’s much more complex. Importantly, people are not “just a little OCD“. OCD is a debilitating disorder that far too many go far too long without treatment for due to treatment barriers such as cost and shame associated with the disorder. Is There…

Being Busy is a Privilege!

Don't complain about your tasks—they're a blessing (and I truly mean that!). Just imagine how empty life would feel without purpose… Being busy is a privilege!

Having more than enough to do with my time is a privilege. Being able to prioritize many important tasks is something I deeply appreciate; both as a junior researcher and clinical intern. Of course, sometimes urgent and unexpected tasks arise—like pressing emails that need prompt responses—and I must reprioritize. But overall, having a full plate is truly a blessing! I find it hard to imagine…

The Map is Not the Territory

The map is not the territory... We all have different perceptions of the world and sometimes we are WRONG! We are, however, allowed to change our mind and to grow as a consequence. A growth mindset helps! Read more below!

We all have different experiences in the world. Sometimes our beliefs do not align with reality, and we may hold fundamental core beliefs that contradict how others perceive the world. This is exemplified in the quote, “the map is not the territory.” In short, even though we may have a certain belief set and perceive the world in a specific way, we may have cognitive presuppositions that shape…

It’s Easier Said Than Done… Unless You Plan It!

Reflecting on the adage "easier said than done," I find it resonates deeply in both personal and professional realms. As a psychology intern, I've seen how planning transforms intentions into actions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers a solution

There is a common trope that states, “it’s easier said than done.” This is entirely true. It is easy for a friend to give advice, but it is much more challenging to be the one who has to follow it. This also applies in therapeutic settings; it’s easy for me to give guidance but much more difficult for the client to follow through (understandably!!). How Can We Ensure That the Things We Say Are…

#calendar #Education #Goal-setting #Goals #productivity #Time

The Importance of Open Conversations About Suicide

Suicide is a deeply complex and sensitive issue that affects individuals and communities worldwide. It's crucial to discuss it openly, with empathy and compassion, to foster understanding and support for those at risk. Read more below...

In emergencies, call the number 112! One common misconception about suicide is that discussing it increases the likelihood of it occurring. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. One of the best preventative measures for suicide is actually talking about it openly and honestly, with empathy, compassion, and curiosity for the person. Show that you care. We do not increase the…

#Depression #emotion regulation #empathy

Jón Ingi Hlynsson @project-jih - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag