Ashley L. Peterson
Bio
Mental health blogger | Former MH nurse | Living with depression | Author of 4 books: A Brief History of Stigma, Managing the Depression Puzzle, Making Sense of Psychiatric Diagnosis, and Psych Meds Made Simple | Proud stigma warrior
Stories (56/0)
Why Are Psych Meds Seen as a Moral Issue?
For most health conditions, taking medication is typically accepted without too much fuss as a standard part of treatment. When it comes to mental illness, however, medications aren't just something we take. They often become a part of how we define ourselves, and how others define us. Taking medication becomes a moral question, as well as a medical question.
By Ashley L. Peterson5 years ago in Psyche
My Meds Make Me Fat
I was never the size extra-extra-small that seems to be so idealized in Western society. In my earlier adult years I was around a size 8, and I was totally content with that. I never had any interest in dieting, and disagree with fad diets on principle, because I firmly believe that eating should be pleasurable and about healthfulness.
By Ashley L. Peterson5 years ago in Psyche
Easy Money-Saving Tricks
My parents raised me to be careful with my money. It's something that's always been important to me, and it has served me very well. I've learned that when it comes to savings the little things really can add up, and in this post I'll share with you some of the tricks I use to save money.
By Ashley L. Peterson5 years ago in Lifehack
How Does Genetics Relate to Mental Illness?
It's a common misconception that we're born with the genes we're born with, and that's that, end of story. Except that's only the beginning of the story, and that's what the field of epigenetics is starting to explore. It has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of why people get sick.
By Ashley L. Peterson5 years ago in Psyche
Bullet Journalling—The Basics
It can be all kinds of intimidating to look at Pinterest and see the gorgeous decorative bullet journals people have come up with. Most of us are just not that artistic; I'm certainly not. But, fear not! It's still possible to have an awesome bullet journal, and it really is the content that matters, not the presentation.
By Ashley L. Peterson5 years ago in Lifehack
ECT: The Real Story
There are a lot of myths out there about electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), sometimes referred to as shock therapy, and quite a lack of accurate information. Probably the most common misperceptions come from the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, where ECT was essentially administered as a punishment, there was no anesthetic, and Jack Nicholson's character was incoherent afterwards. The reality of ECT is very different; it's a legitimate and very effective medical treatment, not a torture strategy.
By Ashley L. Peterson5 years ago in Psyche
What Does This Study Actually Tell Us?
The media is filled with reports of the findings of the latest study, which may seem to tell us exactly the opposite of the last study we heard about. There are also plenty of products being marketed that are citing various studies to show how effective they are.
By Ashley L. Peterson5 years ago in Longevity