stigma

People with mental illness represent one of the most deeply stigmatized groups in our culture. Learn more about it here.

Grief Is Funny Like That
I never expected him to actually finish anything. He was always leaving. I always picture him with a suitcase in his hand. Sometimes I wonder what he would look like now. When I close my eyes I still see his smile and I swear I could smell him, Well him before the shooting. I dream of him sometimes and he's smiling and walking toward me and then I wake up. I wake up happy then reality sets in. For a long time, I wasn't able to talk about it. Even thinking about his death made me sick to my stomach. Sometimes thinking about it still makes me sick to my stomach almost nine years later. I thought that I would be less traumatized by it after all of these years but I'm not. I'm still that traumatized 17-year-old who just lost her best friend to gun violence. Things can change in a heartbeat. If we didn't walk down that street at that time he would still be here. I would still have my best friend here. But I can't change that. It took me years to stop blaming myself. Somedays I still blame myself or I blame God. Not the actual person who murdered him.
By Nat 3 years ago in Psyche
My Thoughts about 'Geek Girls Don't Cry'- part one
Can I say this out loud? Wow! This book is incredible! Incredibly well-done! Great for all ages of girls & women. I got a copy of this book before my 31st birthday. Back in the Holidays of 2018, I saw some updates about that new book that Marisha Ray & Andrea Towers are doing something about how to be a strong & an amazing role model in real life just like the pop culture heroines. I’m like Marisha, I had been through so many gender stigmas about games & superheroes. I grew up with all kinds of outstanding things including NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), Power Rangers, X men, etc. I would like to share how I overcame my fears, trauma, isolation, grief, and adversity after I read each chapter from Geek Girls Don’t Cry. Ready? Here we go!
By Meghan LeVaughn 3 years ago in Psyche
Goodbye
Goodbye. Farewell. Hasta-la-vista. They are supposed to be sad. They are supposed to be painful. But what happens when they are unplanned, unscheduled bouts of chaos?
By The Schizophrenic Mom3 years ago in Psyche
At Some Point, You Have To Own Your Shit
One common thing in life we share as human beings is the ability to be hurt. I don’t mean falling down and scraping our knees. I’m talking about being really, really hurt. Stuff that affects us negatively as adults.
By The Mouthy Renegade Writer3 years ago in Psyche
Introduction to Sensory Processing Disorder
Imagine hearing an annoying sound that keeps repeating in your head. Then think of an intrusive obsessive negative thought you wish you could forget. Couple that with itchy clothing sticking to your sweat. It becomes so overwhelming that you can’t help but to scream. Imagine that every waking moment of your life. Sadly, there are people in this world who have to deal with this. The ailment this is associated with is called Sensory Processing Disorder. I will refer to it as SPD.
By Sid Aaron Hirji3 years ago in Psyche
The Fear of Being Judged: What Causes Social Anxiety in Adults?
Do you ever feel like you're not good enough? That you don't belong? That everyone is watching and judging you? If so, you may be experiencing social anxiety. Social anxiety is the fear of being judged by others in social situations. It can cause people to avoid social situations altogether or only participate when they are indispensable.
By Edy Zoo 3 years ago in Psyche
Addiction Is a Demon No One Should Fight Alone
Today I learned that a man I had known for a long time had died. We had known each other for almost ten years, although we were not close friends. We worked together in the same company almost from the very beginning. But, unlike me, he would disappear from our horizon from time to time, reappear for a season or two, and then disappear again.
By Nik Hein3 years ago in Psyche
Do Depressed People Want Actual Help or Just Sympathy?
One thing I’ve seen constantly over 16 years of using social media is the number of people talking about depression. Specifically, how depressed THEY are. I can often detect a pattern of these kinds of posts from a handful of the same people.
By The Mouthy Renegade Writer3 years ago in Psyche
In my own world
Do you know the feeling when you just want to be alone and not disturbed by anything or anyone? There are plenty of nice and fun things out there but yet hiding in one’s nest feels the best option. For some people, avoiding others implies that you are offended, so you don’t want to speak to them. It’s hard to explain unless you have experienced it yourself.
By Neurodivergent_ai3 years ago in Psyche
Have you been defeated by your own mind? Life is difficult for many, but according to psychologists, it is you who needs to change.
I touched my skull - just right behind the ear - and found the texture discomforting. Am I getting dandruff again? So, I try probing better, peeling away to reveal (or create) a rush.
By Avocado Nunzella BSc (Psych) -- M.A.P 3 years ago in Psyche
“Why I can NOT be Beautiful?!”
This is my poetic journey for over 20 years with Body Dysmorphia(or Body Dysmorphic Disorder). It may be a content warning with depression, body shame, swear language, anxiety, eating disorders/disordered eating, inner critic, body dysmorphia, trust issues, suicidal thoughts, ableism, sexism, and perfectionism.
By Meghan LeVaughn 3 years ago in Psyche
Signs of mental illness that should never be ignored
The truth behind the title is that we never want to ignore the signs of mental illness, whether in ourselves, or others. Most individuals are not able to diagnose themselves, yet our observations will be the first wave of information qualified healthcare professionals will use to put the right evaluation into motion. It is not a suggestion to “watchdog” those around us, or fixate on our daily routines, only register changes, and react with the same brevity, compassion, even urgency, when needed.
By LP Steinbeck3 years ago in Psyche