stigma
People with mental illness represent one of the most deeply stigmatized groups in our culture. Learn more about it here.
“The Individual Disorder” of Descartes, Truth, and Mental Health in Politics
Insane. Crazy. Mad. Deranged. Defective. Lunatic. Violent. Dangerous. At times, society attributed all these descriptions to those many now the mentally ill. Even that phrase has its discontents; it implies disorder, deviance, incorrectness to the mind of the person who is considered “mad” or “insane.” If my use of those words bother anyone, it is advisable not to read the rest of this article. I must apologize for my crassness regardless, for I used those words quite brashly, and in many ways, ironically. I am, of course, discussing this social concept of madness that has been, not taboo, but extensively spoken about; if we wish to discuss it, we have to come to terms with the fact that it is not suppressed. Ironically, we find that philosophers have constantly and commonly addressed the insane in a variety of ways, and that the public constantly engages in speculation on it. The silence was never put in place; madness (to use the explicitly outdated term), rather than being silenced, has been spoken of throughout human history.
By Thomas Sebacher4 years ago in Psyche
April Is Autism Acceptance Month
April 1st begins Autism Awareness Month/World Autism Month/Autism Acceptance Month, a month that is supposed to be devoted to dispelling myths about autism and raising autistic voices. Even today, the knowledge about autism and autistic individuals is often limited or very stereotyped. The entire month has been commandeered in the past by groups like Autism Speaks, which hinder more than help.
By Josey Pickering4 years ago in Psyche
30 Struggles of ISJFs
The wonderful ISFJ is the martyr of the Myers–Briggs personality test. It stands for introversion (I), sensing (S), feeling (F), and judgment (J). This type is influenced by introverted sensing and guided by extroverted feeling. People with this personality type either like you or couldn’t care less about you. When they do like you, however, they’ll move mountains to make you happy.
By Andrea Lawrence4 years ago in Psyche
The 24 Year Haul
Simply put, my life hasn't been easy. Its been quite tough, actually. This is unfortunately the way it is for so many young people due to the fact that the world just plain sucks. I'm so tired of talking about mental health and therapy as if it's a bad thing. It's still a taboo topic which is why many people, young and old, including myself are scared to talk about it or to get help. I personally think about mental health as if it's a disease, because it is but instead of it being physical its emotional/mental. I think that employees should be allowed to take mental health days like any other sickness but unfortunately big corporations like Taco Bell (speaking from experience) don't care how you feel and think if you need a mental health day that you're just trying to get out of work. To them you're just a number.
By Jordyn Rachelle4 years ago in Psyche
I'm Not "Dramatic", It's Neurodivergence!
As a society, we absolutely need to stop using functioning labels to describe autistics. Here's why. 1. They're ableist. Functioning labels are independent of intelligence, and don't do a great job considering the abilities of an individual. By saying someone is low-functioning or high-functioning, we isolate them from their non-disabled peers by implying defectiveness. Think about it. We speak of autistic people the way we speak of a malfunctioning machine, which diminishes humanity and encourages stigmatization. Let's use the term low-functioning as an example. By referring to a person as low-functioning, we imply they can't get by on their own, and that their success in life comes only from the assistance of others. We degrade them to a term, a disability, rather than an independent person with ideas and talents. With each disablity hurdle comes an overwhelming skill.
By choreomania4 years ago in Psyche
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
This piece is about mental health awareness and the struggle many people face every single day. It is not meant as a diagnostic tool or to give any medical advice whatsoever. Every individual has their own story and their own treatment plan, so even if you see part of yourself in this piece, it's vital that you seek the help of a trained professional. It IS okay not to be okay.
By Analise Dionn4 years ago in Psyche
