stigma

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

My Hallucinations...
So I was recently asked this question and the short answer is: yes. But the truth is much longer than that, so I am writing it down. *smile* Please note, these are only my personal experiences with seeing other "people" who aren't really there - not everyone's.
By Adora Hooper4 years ago in Psyche
Sometimes I feel like a fish...
When I had my 20 gallon aquarium in my home years ago, I would sit and watch the fish swim back and forth for hours at a time. I loved the sound of the moving water through the filter, watching them gracefully glide through the water, and even the distinct smell of fishiness was relaxing to me. One day that all changed though as I contemplated my life. I mean, I still love watching the fish swim back and forth, but I can't help make comparisons to how I feel some days...
By Adora Hooper4 years ago in Psyche
For Now we See Through a Glass, Darkly
I know what you're thinking, “A Bible verse for the title? How pretentious!”. To which I answer, “Yeah, probably, but bear with me.”
By Levi Osborn4 years ago in Psyche
THE REALITY OF MENTAL ILLNESS
I just wanted to write this article to promote a little more awareness on the subject of mental health. As we are in the holiday season.
By Les Morgan4 years ago in Psyche
The Last Memory
So there I stood, rubbernecking at the idea that the spinning washing machine resembled my embryonic headache. With that reflection in mind, I went for a cold shower, aiming for easy treatment. The antidote lasted as long as the freezing water distracted me from the woodpecker drilling my brains. Not a second more.
By Ricky Lanusse4 years ago in Psyche
Letter to the Editor
Hi, most people know me better as my online alias and pen name: The Schizophrenic Mom. I had no intention of writing this to my hometown paper as I appreciate my anonymity online – and the freedom I have to talk about my disability without fear of retribution. However, part of my goal is to educate people and I see a big education gap in the rural midwest.
By Adora Hooper4 years ago in Psyche
Sitting By The Pond.
I sit here watching the soft Lily-pads dance amongst only a few beautiful, purple, half-open little flowers. It reminds me of what you once said.
By Carol Ann Townend4 years ago in Psyche
I'm Intelligent AND Mentally Ill. And That's Okay
I am a relatively intelligent person. I am university-educated and have worked as a college lecturer. My primary field is the theatre but I am well-read, and - although my preference would be to bore you for hours talking about Shakespeare and Beckett - I would also be happy to have a conversation about F. Scott Fitzgerald, Maya Angelou, Friedrich Nietzsche, Carl Jung, Frida Kahlo. or the French Revolution.
By Christopher Donovan4 years ago in Psyche
Pick Up A New Hobby To Help Improve Your Mental Health
A fantastic technique to help with enhancing your general mental health and well-being is by taking up a new pastime. There are many benefits to having a hobby, but for many people, the health advantages rank first. Hobbies come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They could be artistic, academic, physical, or simply unwinding. Despite the fact that it's not always easy to find spare time during the day, maintaining good mental health can be made easier by the many various activities and hobbies we can incorporate into our everyday life. However, during these rare moments when you are free from your regular responsibilities, you may have the chance to engage in things that you actually like. A hobby is more than just something you do for yourself; it's something you put time and effort into because it makes you happy and sparks your interests.
By Les Morgan4 years ago in Psyche
Pareidolia
PAREIDOLIA : is a psychological phenomenon involving a stimulus wherein the mind perceives a familiar pattern of something where none actually exists. Common examples are perceived images of animals, faces, or objects in cloud formations, the man in the moon, the moon rabbit, and hidden messages within recorded music played in reverse or at higher- or lower-than-normal speeds. Example : seeing a human face in the marble pattern of the tile floor.
By Rebecca K 4 years ago in Psyche
Entwined Memories
Reader warning: Although this story is a work of fiction, it does include an in-depth look into the mind of someone with severe depression and I would like to thank the over 100 people who spoke and provided their accounts on depression and their suicide attempts for this story.
By Daniel Millington4 years ago in Psyche
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 4 years ago in Psyche