Abuse survivors and the professionals that work with them split up abusive behavior into emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Emotional abuse is generally regarded, though not necessarily consciously, as the least harmful, and physical abuse is usually seen as the worst. Many survivors, when seeking to downplay their trauma to cope, will say to themselves … Continue reading The Three Types of Abuse
Review: The PTSD Workbook by Mary Beth Williams
The PTSD Workbook by Mary Beth Williams (second edition) is an interactive journey through trauma recovery backed up by science and personal wisdom. It largely conforms to other works about trauma I have read, especially Judith Herman's ideas about the three phases of trauma recovery. I was super excited to dive in and do all … Continue reading Review: The PTSD Workbook by Mary Beth Williams
On Distraction and Ableism
There's an attitude-- and it's a subtle one-- that mentally ill people are doing something wrong. Even among otherwise understanding professionals and loved ones, there's an idea that if mentally ill people would just learn to think correctly, like everyone else, they wouldn't be mentally ill anymore. This idea has its basis in the benefits … Continue reading On Distraction and Ableism
Creative Self-Care
I got a tattoo recently: a black and white lit match about two inches long. You can find it on my left forearm, where I used to cut. The inspiration comes from the song "Amy AKA Spent Gladiator 1" by the Mountain Goats. Here are the lyrics: Do every stupid thing that makes you feel … Continue reading Creative Self-Care
How to Help Someone with Self-Harm
The common mental health problem of self-harm is often dramatized and sensationalized to the point where people aren't sure what to even think about it. Therefore, many people deal with the self-harm of others in a way that's not constructive for anyone involved. If someone has come to you about their self-harm, the following is … Continue reading How to Help Someone with Self-Harm
14 Ways Tech Can Help You Hack Your Brain
We’ve often heard the negative ways that technology can affect our mental health. For example, studies have shown that spending too much time on Facebook and comparing your life (and body) to those of others can cause or exacerbate depression– and most of us are constantly aware how much faster (and more stressful) life has … Continue reading 14 Ways Tech Can Help You Hack Your Brain
Recovery Heroes: Pat Deegan
We share in the certainty that people labeled with mental illness are first and above all, human beings. Our lives are precious and are of infinite value.–Patricia E. Deegan, Recovery and the Conspiracy of Hope From the videos of her many talks and lectures, audiences can see that Pat Deegan is an exceptionally well-spoken woman … Continue reading Recovery Heroes: Pat Deegan
The Ugly Bullet Journal: A Practical Organization System for Increased Mindfulness
I am a hot mess, but I used to be worse. A few years ago, I would miss the opportunity to renew my food stamps applications because I threw the notice on my desk and then just forgot about it, leaving me without food money for a month. I would miss work deadlines because I … Continue reading The Ugly Bullet Journal: A Practical Organization System for Increased Mindfulness
Introducing: The Art Journal Mental Health Bible … Thing …
I’ll be honest, I’ve been working on it for years and I still have no idea what to call it. Written in the cover page is “Jay’s Declassified Brain Survival Guide,” a reference to a 2000s Disney TV show, but that’s just a personal joke. I guess a mental health-focused “art journal” would be the … Continue reading Introducing: The Art Journal Mental Health Bible … Thing …
“Just Show Up”
If you struggle with anxiety, overwhelm, or just plain feeling like a failure, I have a mantra for you that’s been really helping me out lately: Just show up. As I’ve said elsewhere on this blog, I am a peer in mental health issues, and my biggest problem has always been depression. I’ve had to … Continue reading “Just Show Up”
