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The Monsters that Lurk Beneath
Furkhan Dandia
August 12, 2025
In partnership with
The Monsters that Lurk Beneath
In last week’s episode of EZ Conversations, I had the opportunity to sit down with Brian Karr to discuss a seemingly hidden yet insidious problem—mould. Brian’s journey into this field began after a water leak in his apartment exposed him to the dangers of mould. Soon after getting married, he joined his in-laws’ family business and became a subject matter expert in mould inspection.
During our conversation, Brian debunked common myths—like the idea that mould only grows where there’s visible moisture. The real problem often lies in the unseen spread of that moisture. He also shed light on how mould can trigger health issues many people wouldn’t think to connect to their living environment. Most importantly, Brian emphasized the importance of addressing root causes rather than just managing symptoms—a principle that functional health embraces.
As I reflected on our conversation, I realized that mould can serve as a powerful metaphor for something I often see in my clinical work: the hidden emotional wounds and belief patterns we all carry. Just as mould quietly spreads behind walls, our unaddressed hurts and unresolved traumas can shape our thoughts, behaviours, and relationships without us even realizing it.
When clients trust me with their stories, and we work together to explore their triggers, recurring beliefs, and patterned responses, we often uncover emotions that have been buried for years. These “monsters” don’t simply disappear when ignored. Like mould, they tend to spread in ways that eventually affect every corner of our lives. Pretending they aren’t there may feel easier in the short term, but inevitably, we trip over the very issues we’ve swept under the rug.
The research on emotional suppression is clear: avoiding painful feelings can increase stress responses, weaken immune function, and heighten the risk of mental health challenges (Gross & Levenson, 1997; Shallcross et al., 2013). Conversely, confronting and processing these emotions—whether through therapy, self-reflection, or meaningful dialogue—can lead to greater emotional regulation, reduced anxiety, and improved overall well-being (Pennebaker & Chung, 2011).
In other words, there’s a profound sense of agency and liberation that comes from facing the monsters head-on. By shining a light into the hidden corners of our inner world, we not only reclaim control over our lives but also create space for healing, resilience, and authentic growth.
Sometimes, the hardest part is deciding to look. But when we do, we often discover the monsters we feared are far less powerful than we imagined—and that we are far stronger than we believed. If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear: What’s one “hidden mould” in your life you’ve faced—and what changed when you did?
References
Gross, J. J., & Levenson, R. W. (1997). Hiding feelings: The acute effects of inhibiting negative and positive emotions. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 106(1), 95–103. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.106.1.95
Pennebaker, J. W., & Chung, C. K. (2011). Expressive writing: Connections to physical and mental health. In H. S. Friedman (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Health Psychology (pp. 417–437). Oxford University Press.
Shallcross, A. J., Troy, A. S., Boland, M., & Mauss, I. B. (2013). Let it be: Accepting negative emotional experiences predicts decreased negative affect and depressive symptoms. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 51(12), 914–923. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2013.09.008
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