depression

It is not just a matter of feeling sad; discover an honest view of the mental, emotional and physical toll of clinical depression.

How Lack of Sleep Affects Your Body and Mind
In our fast-paced world, sleep is often the first thing we sacrifice. Late nights, busy schedules, and constant digital distractions have made rest feel like a luxury, rather than a necessity. But sleep is not just about physical recovery; it plays a vital role in emotional balance, mental clarity, and psychological well-being. When we deprive ourselves of sleep, we aren’t just making ourselves tired—we’re disrupting the foundation of self-care and mental resilience.
By Leesh lala8 months ago in Psyche
Misjudged: When Parents Get It Wrong About Their Children
In many homes around the world, love and care between parents and children form the foundation of family life. But sometimes, even with the best intentions, parents make mistakes. One of the most painful mistakes is when parents wrongly believe their child is involved in bad habits like smoking, drinking, or staying out late with bad company. These assumptions, often made without proof, can break trust and deeply hurt a child’s self-esteem.
By SK Prince 9 months ago in Psyche
I Was Smiling on the Outside—But Silently Drowning Inside. AI-Generated.
You would’ve never known by looking at me. I smiled in every photo. I showed up to every birthday party. I laughed at jokes, gave advice, and even sent those “just checking in” texts to my friends. I looked fine—better than fine, even. But the truth?
By Nouman wali9 months ago in Psyche
Please, Someone See Me
Thank you for opening and reading this. Every single read means the world to me. Each time someone clicks and reads, I know someone out there heard my story, my thoughts, my heart. As a new writer on Vocal, I’m deeply grateful to every person who gives my words a chance.
By Aarvi nilli9 months ago in Psyche
Living With My Overthinking Mind
There are mornings when I wake up already exhausted. Not because I didn’t sleep, but because I spent all night stuck inside my head. My brain runs rehearsals of conversations I had days ago, questioning if I said something wrong or if I should’ve responded differently. It doesn’t matter how small the moment was—if it made me feel uncertain, my mind holds onto it like a looping playlist I didn’t choose.
By Noman Khan 9 months ago in Psyche
The Dopamine Trap Explained
In the age of endless scrolling, constant notifications, and the dopamine rush of “likes,” social media has become more than a tool — it’s a carefully engineered system designed to influence your behavior. But have you ever wondered how social media keeps you hooked?
By shoaib khan9 months ago in Psyche
What Meta And AI Fundamentally Misunderstand About Loneliness And Therapy
Mark Zuckerberg has recently talked about the Future he Envisions. A Future that makes me Fundamentally Sick because of its Dystopian Consequences.
By Dr. Cody Dakota Wooten, DFM, DHM, DAS (hc)9 months ago in Psyche
Are we true or pseudo-scientists?
On 3 May 2025, an article by Dr Sue Ieraci, appeared in the online Medical Observer with the following headline: Are you an expert or just a doctor with a platform?
By Mal Mohanlal9 months ago in Psyche
Are You Using Your Phone or Is It Using You
Start writing.At first, it was just a tool. A shiny rectangle full of promise. You tapped the screen and marveled at the world it unlocked—endless knowledge, instant communication, and the comforting sense that you were never really alone. But somewhere along the way, the roles reversed. You used to reach for your phone with a purpose. Now, you reach for it without even thinking. Standing in line, sitting in silence, lying in bed at 2 a.m.—your hand gravitates toward it like metal to a magnet. You scroll, swipe, tap. What were you even looking for? You’re not sure anymore. It started with connection. But now? Now it feels more like a leash. The Silent Shift You didn’t notice it at first. Nobody does. The apps you downloaded were fun. Useful. Harmless. But they didn’t stay that way. Slowly, they learned about you—your habits, your patterns, your weaknesses. They began shaping your behavior, nudging your emotions, hijacking your attention. What began as convenience turned into compulsion. Have you ever caught yourself unlocking your phone without a reason? You’re not alone. In fact, studies show the average person checks their phone 96 times a day—that’s once every 10 to 12 minutes. Not because we need to. Because we’ve been trained to. Notifications aren’t just alerts. They’re psychological triggers. Every buzz or banner on your screen sets off a tiny burst of dopamine—a chemical reward that your brain starts craving. Over time, your mind becomes wired to seek those rewards, not unlike a gambler waiting for the next win. You aren’t using your phone anymore. It’s using you. The Illusion of Control Sure, you tell yourself, I can quit anytime. But can you? Try going a full day without checking your phone. No social media. No emails. No YouTube. No mindless scrolling. Just you and your thoughts. Feels uncomfortable, doesn’t it? That discomfort is not accidental. It's by design. App developers consult behavioral psychologists to make their platforms as addictive as possible. Infinite scroll, autoplay videos, algorithmic feeds—they all serve one purpose: to keep you engaged, even when you're exhausted, disinterested, or even unhappy. Your attention is their currency. The longer you stay, the more ads they show, the more money they make. Every second you spend is another piece of yourself you’re trading—often without even realizing it. What Are You Losing? The cost of constant connection isn’t just time—it’s presence. It's relationships. It's peace. How many dinners have been interrupted by a glowing screen? How many deep conversations have been reduced to distracted nods? How many nights have you stayed awake, endlessly scrolling, while sleep slipped through your fingers? It’s subtle. It creeps in slowly. But eventually, you begin to feel... off. Anxious for no reason. Unfocused. Restless. Your mind flits from one thing to the next, unable to rest in the stillness. Unable to be alone. Because being alone means facing yourself. And your phone doesn’t want that. Your phone wants to keep you busy. Distracted. Dependent. Reclaiming the Driver’s Seat But here’s the truth: the phone only has the power you give it. You can take it back. It starts with awareness. Not blame, not guilt—just honesty. Notice your habits. Track how often you pick up your phone, and ask yourself why. Is it boredom? Loneliness? Stress? What are you really looking for? Then, take small steps. Turn off non-essential notifications. Set app time limits. Designate phone-free hours during your day. Replace late-night scrolling with journaling or reading. Create space for your mind to breathe. Most importantly, reconnect with real life—with the moments that can’t be captured or posted. The laughter of someone sitting across from you. The silence of a walk at dusk. The satisfaction of being fully here. The Choice Is Yours Are you using your phone—or is it using you? It’s a haunting question. One that reveals more about your life than you might be ready to admit. But it’s not too late to shift the balance. Not too late to stop living on autopilot and start living with intention. Your phone is a tool. A powerful one. But it is not your master. It doesn't breathe. It doesn't feel. It doesn’t dream. You do. Don’t trade your reality for a screen. Don’t let the illusion of connection rob you of real presence. You are not a machine, and you don’t have to live like one. Unplug to remember who you are—before the phone started whispering otherwise.
By Sajid 9 months ago in Psyche
You’re Not Behind — You’re Just Human
You ever look around and think, “Everyone else seems to know what they’re doing... why don’t I?” Someone just got a promotion. Someone else is buying a house. Your friend is planning a wedding, launching a business, traveling the world.
By SHADOW-WRITES9 months ago in Psyche
Is Sadness Good?
Sadness. A feeling we often run from. We hide it behind smiles, bury it under distractions, and hope it fades like a bad dream. But what if sadness isn’t our enemy? What if, instead of being something to escape, it is something to embrace?
By Leesh lala9 months ago in Psyche
Do Not Dwell on the Past
There is a quiet ache in the soul of every human being — the echo of moments gone by. Memories that surface without warning, regrets that whisper in silence, and wounds that seem too deep to ever fully close. The past has a way of reaching into the present, tightening its grip on our hearts. Yet, in that very ache lies the opportunity for profound healing. It begins with a single choice: not to dwell on the past.
By Leesh lala9 months ago in Psyche