trauma
At its core, trauma can be thought of as the psychological wounds that persist, even when the physical ones are long gone.
A journey through grief
Grief The fight to heal from grief has been one I’ve trudged through like a soldier entering their last battle. With fear and courage, I take every step through the mud filled with regret, pride, and awe. You lose yourself to grief, and the reward at the end of the journey is supposed to be finding yourself again. Beautiful, isn’t it, the things you find in this search for yourself? That is, until you’ve lost your way in the search for something meaningful.
By Aathavi Thangesa day ago in Psyche
How Random Posts Enlighten My Mental Health Journey
I have always enjoyed writing and explaining concepts using creative ways and word choice that allow me to really connect to the heart of the reader or listener. But making time has always been difficult, so my solution was to use my social media platform as a writing tool to expand my creative sparkle. I committed to a weekly post on my Instagram account using one of my many photos I kept from random places and using it as a prop to write. Typically, I start brainstorming days ahead as I go over the picture selection and what to write about or I can come up with something creative on the spot and post it right away. This creative process is rewarding as it helps me get out of the mundane, while inspiring others. Although there was a flow in my creativity, it lacked structure and organization.
By LaPlume Vertea day ago in Psyche
Psychologist: "A depressed wife needs a lot of patience from her husband"
Recently, on the evening of May 24, Lam Minh appeared on livestream with an image of messy hair. She continuously cried, spoke intermittently, and could not control her emotions. The female model held her baby and shared the situation that caused panic.
By Ken aquariums2 days ago in Psyche
A Glaring Omission. Top Story - June 2024.
I made peace with being cast out by others pretty early in life. As lonely as it may sound, I don’t recall many times during childhood when those actions affected me any longer than a moment or two. Being deemed the weird/gay/weird gay freak by everyone from neighborhood kids to blood relatives allowed me the privilege of sneaking away whenever I pleased to dive deeper into hobbies that molded the proud pop culture geek and writer I am today.
By Jonathan Apollo3 days ago in Psyche
Flying under the radar with Complex PTSD
What is C-PTSD? C-PTSD stands for complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Most people are more familiar with PTSD, which is often associated with veterans or victims of violent attacks. So what’s the difference between the two?
By Lynsey P. Caviello6 days ago in Psyche
Why We Need to Reframe the Narrative Around Rock Bottom in Recovery
Have you ever struggled with substance abuse or Addiction? In 2010, I did. Acknowledging and overcoming my challenges was not easy. Why? Society often sees relapse, Addiction, and substance abuse as character flaws. My biggest barrier was self-stigmatization, fearing judgment whenever I considered seeking help.
By Sandy Pace 13 days ago in Psyche
“Life Savings” Has Never Been More Literal. Content Warning.
It’s difficult to imagine the joy, the ability to breathe, that must come from being debt-free. I used to believe that if I simply worked hard enough, I could have that stability and independence one day. Unfortunately, my abuser had other ideas.
By Veronica Wren15 days ago in Psyche
Bipolar?
Well, here we are...I'll be thirty-seven in about a month, and as I sit here thinking of my life and my recent diagnosis I realize my whole life has been leading up to this point. A handful of pills, perhaps more to come, a lifetime of therapy in my future which I had succumbed to already, tracking my moods, learning my triggers, and watching my sleeping and eating patterns to be sure that I take care of myself properly. Some days I have to force myself to get out of bed because I simply want to melt into the bed and disappear. However, when you're a mother you don't get that option. I also know that I must force myself to get up, keep moving, make plans, and set goals or I will fall into that inevitable dark hole again. The dark hole I have clawed my way out of countless times, the hole that seems so comforting in ways but I also have the sense to know that it would end me. I know that as easy as it sounds to give in and give up; that darkness is not my friend and it will tear me apart limb by limb and piece by piece if I allow it to. My mental health is something I have struggled with since adolescence. You could blame it on childhood trauma, family history, or just a bad draw of the cards but it is something I live with every day. I've always felt that my brain was out to get me; perhaps, even trying to kill me. It has always felt like my brain is in a hurricane and the rest of my body is this crazy weatherman thinking she can somehow tame the storm like Jesus and that's what I've been trying to do my entire life, tame the storm. I beg, I cry, I pled, I pray, I hit my knees in desperation and sometimes yes, there is a relief but it is usually temporary. The storm always comes back. There are glimpses in my life where I am happy. There are things and people in my life that make me happy. There are things I'm passionate about such as writing for example and spreading awareness. Sometimes I get excited almost giddy about life and I make all these plans that I think will improve my life or make me happy. I try to cling to these plans when the darkness comes back. I cling to them as if they are my only lifeline. My only rope as I hang off the cliff of life. One day, I'll buy an RV and a Jeep, live in the mountains, or maybe travel all over the U.S.. I think a hot tub will make me happier so I might buy that, I think getting back with my ex will make me happy so I pursue him even though that is not a good idea, I think I need something and why should I deny myself of this happiness so I buy it or pursue it. I'll be fine for a little while, months even and then I get restless. I can't explain it other than to say that it's like an itch deep inside and suddenly I'm not fully happy and content with life and I need something to change. I need a change of scenery, an adventure, something...anything. The thing is though that nothing I do ever lasts to satisfy that itch. So yes, my moods are up and down and to be honest, I never know what I'm going to feel when I wake up. It's a surprise every day even for me. Why does having mental illness have such a stigma? I can't help this; can't control it. I didn't ask for it. I certainly don't want this storm in my mind but I'm learning more and more about myself every year. This year, just a couple of days ago, a psychiatrist told me that she thought I may have bipolar disorder type II. She told me to research it and form my own opinion and the more testimonials I look up the more the piece seems to fit into this complicated puzzle that is my brain. So, there it is. I have bipolar type II. Maybe now I can get some answers to how my brain truly functions and why it does what it does. That's truly all I've ever wanted... answers.
By Lindsey Altom18 days ago in Psyche
4 Helpful Firearms Safety Reminders for My Abusive Ex. Content Warning.
Firearms safety isn’t just a personal responsibility; it’s a matter of life and death, especially in the hands of those who use them to intimidate and control. We can make a meaningful change by advocating for meaningful support for those with mental health issues and those trapped in traumatic situations.
By Veronica Wren19 days ago in Psyche
Understanding Neurodiversity: Why We All Connect Differently and Why That's Okay
If you are like me, you are tired of being criticized for not listening, asking too many questions, or double-checking. Many people today still hold incorrect assumptions about ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions, often failing to show empathy and understanding. Instead, we face gaslighting, job loss, and social exclusion. It is time people realized that traditional indicators of listening are not always accurate.
By Sandy Pace 20 days ago in Psyche