photo credit: Dan Meyers on Unsplash The heartbreaking lessons I've learned from working in an adult psychiatric hospital. When I was 23 and freshly out of college, I wanted to get hands-on experience working at a psychiatric hospital. I was curious about other career paths in the mental health field, such as nursing or counseling. … Continue reading Family Relationship Trauma in Childhood May Potentially Impact Someone’s Mental Health
photo credit: Fanny Gustafsson on Unsplash Much like other illnesses, we tend to say that we suffer from the symptoms this illness manifests. We are suffering when we experience unpleasant symptoms — our own body is revolting against us somehow. I knew I had anxiety and depression for much of my life, but I hid it and masked the symptoms. I … Continue reading We Don’t Suffer from Mental Illness — We Live With It
photo credit: Brooke Cagle on Unsplash When someone thinks about what truly makes up a narcissist, typically the first thought is manipulation. Narcissists are all about what they can get for themselves. Everything in a narcissist's world centers around their own desires and beliefs. A heavy hand of manipulation comes in when a narcissist needs … Continue reading Gaslighting in Relationships May Be a Common Manipulation Strategy for Narcissists
photo credit: Quinn Buffing on Unsplash Covert narcissism explained through the lens of the NXIVM cult. Covert narcissists are the narcissists that aren’t noticeable. They are often the last person you might think would be a narcissist. But the more you get to know a covert narcissist, the more you see their true intentions. The … Continue reading Covert Narcissism Can Be a Hidden Danger in Relationships
photo credit: Ava Sol Unsplash I was in a crowded bowling alley for an award night. I had joined a year-long bowling league season, and things were wrapping up for summer. I bowled among people on our local USBC hall of fame and pro-bowlers; it was a fantastic experience. At the beginning of the season, … Continue reading Self-Forgiveness Starts with Taking Responsibility For Your Actions
photo credit: Caroline Hernandez on Unsplash Being proactive is being aware My husband and I have recently been discussing when we will have kids. It’s a typical conversation to have between newlyweds, but one that is scary to conceptualize. I want to fill our house with the sounds of a baby and grow our family … Continue reading Inheriting a Mental Illness Isn’t All About Genetics
The helpful ways to protect what is more important: your sanity JC Gellidon on Unsplash For my entire life, I have lived on the lies of a narcissist. What I thought was true was false, and the reality I saw was a delusion. I could never get a single truth to come out of the narcissist. … Continue reading Keep Your Distance From a Narcissist to Protect Your Peace
Being awake was agony, and falling asleep was torturous; each day only seemed to worsen photo credit: lilartsy on unsplash For the past week, I just haven’t been feeling right. My depression was worse, my mood was irritable, and I was so anxious. I was devastated by this change because I thought I had been doing better. Over the … Continue reading Anti-Depressant Withdrawal Symptoms Can Be Dangerous
The greatest weapon that a narcissist has is power — take that away and they have nothing photo credit: Michael L on Unsplash I sat across from them at the kitchen table, my foot nervously tapping on the ground. They sat across from me, eyes cast downward and a stern face with a hint of a menacing … Continue reading Taking Your Power Back From a Narcissist
The signs and symptoms of ADHD I wished I had known sooner photo credit: Elizabeth Lies on Unsplash My morning started like it always did; I got up and was ready to leave for work. As I get outside and head to my car, I notice something small folded on the ground. It looks like … Continue reading ADHD is More Than Just Inattention
