For some people, the idea of spring or summertime coming is a welcome joy, but others may dread the hotter months of the year. They may even experience feelings of depression or sadness during the spring or summer months, which can be symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Sometimes referred to as seasonal depression or […]
CW: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, homicidal urges, mentions of depression and anxiety. Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional. The following explains my experience with OCD. When you hear the term “OCD”, you may think of lining everything up in order or keeping your room extremely clean. You may even picture Jack Nicholson’s character in […]
CW: Eating disorders This year, Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) takes place from February 26th to March 3rd with the theme of “healing in community.” EDAW is an annual campaign that focuses on educating the public about eating disorders and provides information, hope, visibility, and support to those affected by eating disorders. According to the […]
TW: Mention of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, psychosis, mass shootings, and violence. The stigma around anxiety and depression has impacted my healing journey. At 17, it discouraged me from asking my parents for help, ended my friendships, and left me feeling alone. At 22, it caused me to doubt my ability to be successful. At 25, […]
When people hear the word “disabled,” they typically think of people who are visibly disabled. However, people who are dealing with more invisible disabilities are often overlooked because of the assumption that they are not disabled. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), reauthorized in 2004, recognizes 14 disability categories. The first category is low-incidence […]
TW: Panic attacks, suicidal ideation Panic attacks are scary and sometimes come without warning. When panic attacks occur, some people feel as if they are losing control, having a heart attack, or even dying. That’s why it’s helpful to know the signs of a panic attack as well as the strategies that can be used […]
Oftentimes, it can be a struggle to broach difficult subjects with our friends. However, now more than ever, discussing mental health is incredibly important, especially for teens. In 2021, over 29% of teens struggled with mental health, with LGBTQIA+ teens (52%) and girls (41%) being two of the groups most affected. As such, being there […]
CW: Mention of suicide, and suicide ideation. Crisis. The word itself is daunting and complicated, presenting itself uniquely in the experience of each individual. Crisis can take on many forms: perhaps it may look like suicidal ideation, relationship turmoil, financial strain, personal loss, or overbearing stress. These are just a few of the many examples […]
CW: Depression, Mental Illness, and Self-Harm Waking up early to go to the gym or going for a run after a long workday can be challenging, especially for those living with mental health conditions. Exercise is usually the last thing on someone’s mind when it takes all of their energy to get out of bed […]
CW: Mention of Eating disorders, body dysmorphia, anxiety, and depression. Based on U.S. research, around ⅔ of all young people face some sort of insecurities about their body or have experienced body dysmorphia (Linardon). Body image issues often stem from insecurities about weight, hair, muscle mass, and skin concerns, like acne (Byrne and Young). These […]