disorder
The spectrum of Mental Health disorders is incredibly vast; we showcase the multitude of conditions that affect mood, thinking and behavior.
I Finally Had the Courage...
I have been suffering from Trichotillomania (Trich) since I was about five years old. I know what my trigger is, my mom. She was always and still is very verbally abusive to me, starting from an early age. I remember sitting in my room for hours pulling out my hair from my head and hiding it under my bed or buried on my trash can under papers. She would see my bald spots and yell at me because she thought I was using scissors to cut my hair. She would spend hours in my bedroom doorway yelling at me to give her the scissors. Between her and me getting bullied at school, I was able to transition from my head to my eyelashes, which were harder for people to notice. I like to feel the pain of the strand of hair being pulled out, I find it comforting, because I was used to hurting. I always suffered alone. I got married to my ex-husband when I was 21, we were together for about 13 years and have five beautiful kids together. My Trich eased up some because I was so busy being a mom. But sometimes, when I was really stressed, I would sit there at night while watching TV with him and would start pulling at my eyelashes again, he would ask me why I was doing that. I would tell him it was out of stress, and he would accuse me of cheating, saying if I wasn't doing anything behind his back then I wouldn't be stressed. Well fast forward to 2012, I'm pregnant with our fifth baby and I found out he cheated on me the whole pregnancy! I tried for over a year to make the marriage work, but in the end, I decided to leave him. Soon after I got my own place and settled in to my new life I met the most amazing man, we fell in love and got married in 2016. I feel connected to him in a way that I have never felt before, he's always there for me. But with the stress of trying to co-parent with the ex and dealing with my still verbally abusive mother my pulling has been at an all-time high. I have no eyelashes right now, I use eyeliner to hide my bald lash line. I feel so ugly. I was poking around online and that's when I found that it had a name and that millions of people suffer from it. I read their stories and didn't feel so alone anymore, I felt like I belonged to this special community and that there were ways to beat it with the proper support system. So being scared to death I told my husband I wanted to talk to him, so we sat down. He asked me what was wrong and through my tears I told him I suffered from Trichotillomania. He didn't know what it was so I told him about what I do to my eyelashes and that I cover it up with makeup, he smiled and said he never noticed because he loves me for who I am and that I was beautiful with or without eyelashes. I finally had the courage to face my fears of someone finding out what I was doing and there was no shaming, only love. He wants to help me in any way possible to get through this, he would even go to therapy and hold my hand if I wanted. I feel like the world has been lifted off my shoulders, so much so that I don't wear makeup around the house anymore to hide it from him. I actually feel closer to him on a new level now because of the love and support he gives me. If you suffer from Trich, don't be afraid to admit it to yourself and to someone who you trust, because once you do you will feel like a new person with the strength to face this with your head held high.
By Rebecca Johnson8 years ago in Psyche
Developing Misophonia at a Young Age
When you are seventeen years old, it's common to listen to your younger siblings running rampant throughout the house squealing at the top of their lungs and respond by getting irritated with how loud they're being. For some of us, noises that annoy the majority are noises like the clicking of pens, the tapping of fingers on a table and (strangely), in a vast majority, Nickelback’s music. I personally enjoy Nickelback. I find it fascinating, but that’s besides the point. Irritation comes naturally.
By McKy Sillitoe8 years ago in Psyche
PTSD, Depression, Bipolar, and Anxiety Disorders
PTSD. The definition as said from Google translation is "a condition of persistent mental and emotional stress occurring as a result of injury or severe psychological shock, typically involving disturbance of sleep and constant vivid recall of the experience, with dulled responses to others and to the outside world. It is a disorder in which a person has difficulty recovering after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. It is a very common disorder with more than 3 million cases in the US per year. It is treatable by a medical professional and the condition itself may last months or years, with triggers that can bring back memories of the trauma accompanied by intense emotional and physical reactions. The symptoms may include nightmares or unwanted memories of the trauma, avoidance of situations that bring back memories of the trauma, heightened reactions, anxiety, or depressed moods. Finally, treatment includes different types of trauma-focused psychotherapy as well as medications to manage symptoms as well as medication. (Google)
By Kendra Terry8 years ago in Psyche
"I Think Something Is Wrong..."
DISCLAIMER: I am not a psychologist and I am writing from personal experience. This is NOT to be used as a diagnostic tool but a stepping stone to better mental health habits and is a biography rather than a step by step process. Please do not neglect if you believe you have D.I.D, contact a psychologist and or go to GoodTherapy.org
By The Rainbow Ram8 years ago in Psyche
A Letter to My Eating Disorder
Dear Ana and Mia, This letter is to say thank you! Now that might seem slightly odd, thanking you for all the tough years you have put me through—17 years to be exact! I don’t thank you for the hurt and pain you put me through. Instead, I thank you for everything you have taught me!
By Dasha Willis8 years ago in Psyche
Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts
Image Retrieved From: The Full Helping https://www.thefullhelping.com/dedication-vs-obsession-personal-reflections/ I went through a period in my life where my thoughts became extremely obsessive. I would repeat certain phrases in my head over and over again until I felt a peace wash over me. I thought the phrases were causing the peace, but they were actually creating an obsession. Later, I found out that I actually had obsessive compulsive disorder.
By Jaquelyn Cannon8 years ago in Psyche
My Secret Compulsion and the Journey to Overcome It
The vast majority of people will never come across the term 'maladaptive daydreaming'. Indeed, until recently, neither had I. By chance, I stumbled across an article online which looked vaguely interesting, so naturally I read on. In short, it changed my life.
By Maladaptive Daydreamer8 years ago in Psyche
