advice
Advice and tips on managing mental health, maintaining a positive outlook and becoming your happiest self.
Hi Mom
*suicidal thoughts trigger warning On nights like tonight, I am tired. The obsessive-compulsive behavior has kept me occupied for weeks, maybe even a month: avoiding. Now, at 2:27 a.m., I am ready to give in, almost. I sink into the couch, allowing the gray of its fabric to swallow me whole. My coloring page is still open, unfinished, like most of my daily tasks. I lunge for it, another crutch. I stop myself. I can't always run.
By Abby Kay Mendonca3 years ago in Psyche
The Truth About a Nursing Home Fire Outbreak Revisited
I chose to author this after this very question has been plaguing me for too many years. I had been a registered nurse for 32 years before I had to medically retire after becoming physically disabled from contracting COVID-19 in 2020 whilst working in a hospital where I had been employed full-time.
By Jonathan Townend3 years ago in Psyche
Written Off. Content Warning.
I published a poem about a car accident I was in earlier this year. It is a reflective piece that looks at my thoughts and feelings after the event and the consequences of my actions that night. As a result of what happened, I was sent on a driving course, the purpose of which was to advise but also to assess and, I suppose, to rehabilitate.
By Rachel Deeming3 years ago in Psyche
Decision Fatigue - How It's Affecting Your Life and Work Performance
Whether we realize it or not, we're making decisions all day long. Whether it's choosing the right brand of coffee or scrolling past an add or deciding which social media to check. We're making decisions all the time.
By Syed Balkhi3 years ago in Psyche
You won't feel lonely anymore
I believe we are currently facing a significant crisis of loneliness. It has become increasingly common for people to grapple with feelings of isolation. In fact, approximately one in three individuals report having few or no friends, experiencing a sense of disconnection from those around them. If you find yourself in this situation, feeling lonely, rest assured that you're not alone. Loneliness is a more prevalent experience than you might imagine, and over the last decade, it has been on the rise without showing any signs of abating. Loneliness affects a wide spectrum of individuals, from the elderly who lack social interactions to young adults who isolate themselves. No one is immune.
By Rkia Rokia3 years ago in Psyche
Magnesium’s Crucial Role in Mental Health
Magnesium, an essential mineral, is a powerhouse in over 300 bodily functions. It keeps your heart ticking and your nervous system electrically stable. But that's not all; magnesium also steps in to regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin. Some experts even suspect that low magnesium might be the culprit behind treatment-resistant depression.
By Marlene Silvio3 years ago in Psyche
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
had a dream about a dinosaur wearing a leotard? Or maybe you've said something that you later realized was totally inappropriate? Our minds are amazing, constantly working to keep us going and make society function smoothly. We're grateful for all the things we can do, but sometimes we wish we could stop doing certain things. Did you know that your mind is the most complex thing in the universe (besides other humans' minds, of course)? It's so complex that we still don't fully understand how it works. But that won't stop us from trying to figure it out! Did you know that the word 'psychology' originally came from the Latin word for "study of the soul"? Pretty cool, right? Nowadays, we define psychology as the science of behavior and mental processes. It's interesting to note that the term 'psychology' wasn't even coined until the 16th century, and it wasn't until the mid-1800s that it became the science we know today. But let's be real, humans have always been curious about themselves and what makes us tick. Even Aristotle pondered the seed of human consciousness, but he was totally wrong when he thought it was in the heart instead of the head. We've come a long way since then! Two millennia ago, Chinese rulers pioneered the administration of the world's inaugural psychological examinations, mandating that public officials undergo personality and intelligence assessments. Similarly, in the late 800s, the Persian physician Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Rhazes, renowned as Rhazes, emerged as one of the earliest individuals to elucidate mental illness. Notably, he even provided treatment to patients within a rudimentary psychiatric ward at his Baghdad hospital. Since the endeavors of these early intellectuals, the discipline of psychology has been dedicated to grappling with profound inquiries. These include understanding the capacity of humans to perpetrate abhorrent acts such as genocide and torture, as well as comprehending our innate awareness of the moral reprehensibility of such actions. Furthermore, psychology seeks to explore the extent of our autonomy, questioning whether our behavior is solely driven by environmental, biological, and subconscious influences or if we possess free will. Additionally, the field aims to define mental illness and develop effective interventions. Moreover, it endeavors to unravel the enigmatic nature of consciousness and the concept of self. If one were to lose self-awareness, does their humanity persist? These are the profound questions that lie ahead. Over the course of the next six months, we will embark on a collective exploration of how our brains function, how they can malfunction, how they can be restored, why our behavior sometimes contradicts our intentions, and the essence of cognition, emotion, and vitality. [Intro] When the term psychology is mentioned, the majority of individuals likely conjure an image of a therapist attentively listening to a patient as they divulge the intricacies of their day, all while reclining on a couch. Perhaps this therapist is adorned with spectacles, engrossed in the act of chewing on a cigar, and gently stroking their bearded chin. It is undeniable! If one contemplates the realm of psychology, it is highly probable that Sigmund Freud comes to mind. Sigmund Freud was an immensely influential and contentious intellectual of his era, perhaps even of all eras. His theories have contributed significantly to our understanding of childhood, personality, dreams, and sexuality. However, his work has also generated a legacy of both endorsement and dissent. Spanning a significant period of history from the American Civil War to World War II, Freud's life was extensive. Nevertheless, akin to most eminent scientists, Freud's groundbreaking ideas were built upon the work of his predecessors, and the field of study continued to evolve beyond his contributions. In actuality, psychology is a highly diverse scientific field that encompasses a wide range of inquiries, methodologies, and various schools of thought and disciplines. It can be argued that psychology is an integrated melting pot of knowledge, surpassing any other scientific discipline in this regard. During the era of Freud, there existed numerous schools of thought that offered distinct approaches to the study of the human mind. Primarily, the concepts of structuralism, functionalism, and psychoanalysis were prevalent. The inception of scientific psychology can be traced back to 1879 in Germany, when physician Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig. This occurred shortly after the publication of his Principles of Physiological Psychology, which is widely regarded as the first authentic psychology textbook. Wundt and his disciple Edward Bradford Titchener drew inspiration from chemists and physicists and posited that if these professionals could deconstruct all matter into basic elements or structures, then the same could be done for the brain. An attempt was made to comprehend the intricacies of consciousness through the utilization of introspection, wherein patients were prompted to reflect upon their experiences when witnessing a sunset, perceiving the aroma of coffee, engaging with a kitten through licking, or any other relevant stimuli. This approach was coined as 'structuralism' by Titchener; however, despite its seemingly rigid nomenclature, it heavily relied on subjective introspection. It should be noted that individuals may perceive and experience these stimuli differently, even if they were to engage in the same act of licking a kitten. Given that psychologists are unable to directly observe a patient's inner thoughts or emotions, the structuralist school of thought ultimately had a relatively short lifespan. In contrast, the American physician and philosopher, William James, presented an alternative series of inquiries, centering on the rationale behind our cognitive processes, emotions, olfactory perceptions, and even our gustatory actions. Essentially, his emphasis was on comprehending the purpose and utility of human behavior. Termed as 'functionalism', this approach was rooted in Charles Darwin's notion that adaptive behaviors persist across the course of evolution. In 1890, James authored his seminal work, The Principles of Psychology, which established psychology as the scientific study of mental processes. Coincidentally, during this period, Sigmund Freud was beginning to make significant contributions to the field. Freud commenced his medical profession at a hospital in Vienna, but in 1886, he established his private practice, focusing on the treatment of nervous disorders. It was during this period that Freud observed his colleague, Josef Breuer, utilize a novel talking therapy to treat a patient named Anna O. Essentially, he allowed her to articulate her symptoms. As she continued to express herself and recall distressing memories, her symptoms gradually diminished. This marked a significant breakthrough that had a profound impact on Freud's perspective. Subsequently, Freud began encouraging his patients to freely discuss any thoughts that came to mind, a technique known as free association. This approach served as the foundation for his career and an entire branch of psychology. In 1900, he published his seminal work, "The Interpretation of Dreams," in which he introduced his psychoanalytic theory. While contemporary understanding often associates psychoanalysis with the patient lying on a couch, Freud's concept was far more intricate and groundbreaking. A fundamental tenet of psychoanalysis revolved around the notion that our personalities are molded by unconscious motives. Essentially, Freud postulated that we are deeply influenced by mental processes of which we remain oblivious. Although this concept may appear self-evident to us today, it is crucial to acknowledge that Freud's theory possessed a remarkable ingenuity for its time, particularly in the year 1900. The notion that our thoughts and actions could be propelled by forces unbeknownst to our conscious minds was exceedingly difficult to comprehend. It presented a level of abstraction and invisibility that paralleled the challenge of comprehending the concept of organisms evolving through natural selection. Consequently, this idea seemed irrational and perplexing. However, another significant aspect of Freud's theory was the notion that the unconscious, which is situated beneath the level of consciousness, could still be explored. Despite being unaware of its existence, one could gain insight into it through a therapeutic approach that employed techniques such as dream analysis, projection, and free association to uncover repressed emotions and achieve self-awareness. Essentially, Freud posited that mental disorders could be remedied through talk therapy and self-exploration, which represented a major breakthrough. Prior to this, individuals with mental illnesses were typically institutionalized and, at best, assigned menial tasks, while at worst, they were restrained to bed frames.
By Tom Mutinda3 years ago in Psyche
Your Peace May Require Going No Contact with Someone You Love
Are you stuck in a relationship that makes you miserable? Maybe that connection is with a romantic partner or a best friend. If you're really unlucky, you may just have that kind of relationship with a family member.
By E.B. Johnson 3 years ago in Psyche
My Journey Inside Seven Twisted Psyches
The psychopath test classifies a wide spectrum of persons as psychopaths. Paul embodies the stereotypical psychopath: a natural-born crook who seems to revel in spreading havoc everywhere he goes. However, not all psychopaths fit Paul's description. For every psychopath like Paul, there is another whose antisocial conduct is the product of bad luck rather than premeditated malice. Danny was in this situation.
By Esther Anima3 years ago in Psyche
