#Common mental health beliefs

[harmeet-saggi]

Breaking Down Mental Health Myths: Unveiling The Truth About Psychological Well-being

In a world that is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of mental health, it is crucial to separate fact from fiction. Myths and misconceptions surrounding psychological well-being can hinder individuals from seeking help and understanding their own mental health. In this blog, we will embark on a journey to break down some of the most common mental health myths and unveil the truth about psychological well-being. By dispelling these myths, we aim to promote a more accurate and empathetic understanding of mental health. 

[bbbetty]

not to sound harsh but those "law of attraction/assumption" blogs are the scariest fucking thing. just denial and toxic positivity masquerading as empowerment and self care. optimism is good, working to improve your life is good, believing generally good things about yourself is good, but plugging your ears and writing creepy ass mantric posts about how everything in the world is already perfect isn't actually helping at all and you're just going to crash when you realize you're not living up to the unrealistic image of perfection and ease, or when something undeniably bad happens and you decide it's your fault because you didn't 💅💖manifest💖💅 hard enough.

[fogonsunday]

The only reason I don’t completely buy into the nature vs nurture argument of what makes someone more likely to cause harm is because I know someone who quite literally had a picture-perfect upbringing complete with friends, a loving family, and countless opportunities to succeed, and yet they are still far more likely to cause harm to me and others in our circle than I or our mutual friends are to cause harm to them

[ruscha]

getting a powerful urge to do essay research on something approaching the subject of masculinity performance/identification among cis men in the current day and in particular the ryan gosling/he’s literally me/etc effect esp when it comes to the constant framing of “male sadness/loneliness” as a particular kind of feeling that other genders cannot possibly relate to

[thedevotionaltour]

in terms of art alone im sorry. im a jrjr defender to my last breath you be fucking nice to him. i dont wanna hear shit❗️❗️❗️

[methed-up-marxist]

"The study that had the most direct impact on the psychiatric profession— as well as public consciousness—at this time was David Rosenhan’s (1973) classic research On Being Sane in Insane Places which found that psychiatrists could not distinguish between “real” and “pseudo” patients presenting at psychiatric hospitals in the United States. All of Rosenhan’s “pseudo” patients (college students/researchers involved in the experiment) were admitted and given a psychotic label, and all the subsequent behaviour of the researchers—including their note-taking—was labelled by staff as further symptoms of their disorder (for a summary, see Burstow 2015: 75-76). This research was a culmination of earlier studies on labelling and mental illness which had begun in the 1960s with Irving Goffman (1961) and Thomas Scheff (1966). Goffman’s (1961) ethnographic study of psychiatric incarceration demonstrated many of the features which Rosenhan’s study would later succinctly outline, including the arbitrary nature of psychiatric assessment, the labelling of patient behaviour as further evidence of “mental illness,” and the processes of institutional conformity by which the inmates learned to accept such labels if they wanted to have any chance of being released from the institution at a later date. Scheffs (1966) work on diagnostic decision making in psychiatry formulated a general labelling theory for the sociology of mental health. Again, his research found that psychiatrists made arbitrary and subjective decisions on those designated as “mentally ill,” sometimes retaining people in institutions even when there was no evidence to support such a decision. Psychiatrists, he argued, relied on a common sense set of beliefs and practices rather than observable, scientific evidence. Scheff (1966) concluded that the labelling of a person with a “mental illness” was contingent on the violation of social norms by low-status rule-breakers who are judged by higher status agents of social control (in this case, the psychiatric profession). Thus, according to these studies, the nature of “mental illness” is not a fixed object of medical study but rather a form of “social deviance”—a moral marker of societal infraction by the powerful inflicted on the powerless." -Bruce Cohen, Psychiatric Hegemony, 2016

[schizopositivity]

Hearing people throw around the words "delusional" and "delulu" so often when they clearly don't know what it means is so silly to me at this point, but also a little frustrating.

Like I heard someone in a video say "she's the worst type of delulu, where she actually is in a different reality" while describing someone being cocky and overconfident.

As a reminder, delusional means someone is holding a belief or altered reality that is persistently held despite evidence or agreement to the contrary, generally in reference to a mental disorder. Delusions are typically beliefs that exist outside of objective or common reality (so not something subjective like "this art is good"). It is often unshakeable, people can't be talked out of their strongly held belief even if it is completely nonsensical. They typically cause a disturbance to your life, unlike a spirituality or religion that you enjoy.

So someone saying "I'm the most attractive and most talented person in this room" might be annoying, but it is that person's subjective belief. It's your subjective belief that they are not, but neither is right or wrong because it is subjective.

Having a crush on a celebrity and wanting to marry them and imagining that happening is a conscious choice, it's a daydream. Meanwhile delusions are not conscious choices, it is a symptom a person has whether they want it or not.

It's important to uphold the true meaning of this word, because it describes a mental condition that impacts many people. Having the words definition change by making it mean other things does harm us. If we want to open up to a friend about a serious mental problem in our lives by saying "I have delusions", that person should know the gravity of that, and not think it's some fun quirky personality trait that everyone has.

Also the way people misuse the word tends to be in a negative or insulting way, aimed at the delusional person. But delusions dont indicate anything about the delusional persons personality and morals. The delusions are caused by a mental health problem and not chosen by the person. This is important to remember when people have strange, mean, self centered, taboo, or scary delusions, it doesn't mean that a person wants to believe that, they can't control it.

So please try and use the words "delusion" and "delusional" correctly, don't give it a cute trendy nickname like "delulu". And try and educate the people around you about the actual meaning of these words, and the impact of misusing them.

[astrolovecosmos]

How to Get in Touch with Your North Node

Aries NN: Play more games or join more competitions. Make a list of YOUR wants and needs. Go see a movie alone or do more errands alone to exercise independence. Allow yourself to experience anger and passion. Work on healthy anger management tools and skills. Embrace change and the new. Take action more. Don't be afraid to be a little more impulsive. Make a vision board. Focus on your interests from when you were much younger.

Taurus NN: Do some spring cleaning - and even more so, throwing away. Sit or lay on the ground more. How can you enjoy or incorporate nature into your life more? Forgive yourself from times you were tricked, betrayed, or made an ignorant decision. Practice routine. Take time to disconnect from social media. Address your insecurities in a direct or even tangible way. Remember to see the beauty and strengths in yourself. Lean into resourcefulness.

Gemini NN: Try journaling. Read - read - read. Appreciate or accept your inner child, your flaws, your insecurities. If you can't be honest with a friend, partner, or family member reconsider your boundaries with them. Speak your mind more often. Be open to changing your opinions. Take technology breaks. Yet a meditation or self-care app may be useful. Explore different methods of self-expression. Speak as much as you listen and vice versa. Try something new often.

Cancer NN: Take your mental health seriously. Self-care is worth it. Cook a new recipe or learn how to cook. Practice self-awareness/introspection more often. Consider therapy or self-help books and media. Appreciating and finding strength in your soft side will be a needed challenge. Taking care of something even if it is a plant or pet can be fulfilling. Listen to your intuition. Practicing gratitude and giving can be helpful. Go where you feel safe!

Leo NN: Always schedule time for enjoyment, pleasure, hobbies, indulgence. Hike. Spoil yourself but be sure to spoil others too. Go out to more parties and events. Channel your passion and anger into productivity. Stretch and practice yoga. Do breathing exercises. Get up early more often. Make art - create something. Be open minded to romance and/or affection. Take pride in yourself and life.

Virgo NN: Practice more realism and/or humility. Take part in puzzles, riddles, and anything that uses logic or critical thinking. Tap into your society's common sense and norms that can be most helpful to you. Volunteer or take part in charities. Be part of a team somehow. Reexamine your relationship with work. Surprise someone you care about with a gift, favor, trip, etc. Recognize your talents and skills. Learn a new skill or work on improving a craft. Practice healthy eating and exercise habits!

Libra NN: Be more mindful and selective of who you befriend and date. Practicing self-love is a must. Return favors often. Spend more quality time with that person you haven't seen lately. Be open to frequent date nights, couples counseling, couple events, and double dates if you have a partner. Balance alone time with social time. Get in touch with your romantic and artistic side. Practice objectivity when you can. Don't compare yourself to others. Embrace independence but don't forget to also embrace giving and receiving in relationships.

Scorpio NN: INTROSPECTION NEEDED. Distance yourself from media or people that cause anger, frustration, or heavy sadness or doubt. Self-control is important to practice. Don't lie to yourself! Journal, maybe try a dream journal. Don't underestimate your intuition. Go out in nature. Try something new based on your hunches. Examine yours and others intentions closely. Celebrate the small wins. Get out of your head and get out of your own way. Focus on your goals. Practice and enforce self-respect.

Sagittarius NN: Don't be afraid to explore beliefs and ideals that are very different from yours. Practice independence. Take a few more risks. Give yourself a pep talk. Try power poses. Stick to your morals and your gut. Be honest. Look at the big picture more often. Knowledge is power should be your motto. Learn something new. Speak confidently. Practice authenticity. Try to be present. Make a plan to accomplish small goals and eventually move onto larger goals.

Capricorn NN: Speak up more in meetings! Try going for that promotion or position. Understand the power and importance of money and materialism. Practice self-control and self-discipline. Be more patient. Study or look into history, economics, investments, politics, or business. Work on your boundaries actively. Practice decisiveness when you can. Put yourself first responsibly. Question authority often. Make moves that are more thoughtful or strategic. Pay attention to who supports you and who doesn't. Avoid rushing. Work on trusting yourself.

Aquarius NN: Understand and accept other's intentions. Let go of unhealthy attachments. Practice independence often. Explore themes of rebellion and empowerment. Practice cooperation. Don't resist change. Materialism is not your friend. Try to find what inspires you and be around it often. Cultivating healthy friendships is important. Explore unconventional ideas. Face the unknown when you can. Look at the big picture. Laugh when you can. Practice more tolerance.

Pisces NN: Tapping into your beliefs and exploring spirituality or religion is a major theme. Embrace sensitivity, empathy, and kindness. Give when you can. Don't just relate to others - see yourself in them. Find beauty in yours and others' flaws. Take the scenic route. Practice self-reflection. Practice flexibility and leave behind energy-draining goals or pursuits that don't offer personal fulfillment. Idealism and positive thinking can be helpful at times. Honestly... get lost in yourself or even another sometimes, just remember to come back up to the surface.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Word List: Psychology

concepts to help with your story/poem

All-or-nothing Thinking - In cognitive psychotherapy, a common thought distortion in which the individual irrationally evaluates everything as either wonderful or terrible, with no middle ground or “gray area”

Burnout - A state of exhaustion that relates to engaging continually in emotionally demanding work

Congruence - In humanistic psychotherapy, consistency between the real self and the ideal self; the source of mental health

Dodo Bird Verdict - A nickname for the common research finding that different forms of psychotherapy are roughly equally effective; derived from the line in Alice in Wonderland, “Everybody has won and all must have prizes”

Exception Questions - In solution-focused family therapy, a technique whereby therapists ask families to recall situations when the problem was absent or less severe

Fluid Intelligence - The ability to reason when faced with novel problems

Introspection - The process of looking inside the mind for evidence of mental processes or therapeutic change, rejected by behaviorists for its lack of objectivity

Microaggressions - Comments or actions made in a crosscultural context that convey prejudicial, negative, or stereotypical beliefs and may suggest dominance or superiority of one group over another

Negative Punishment - A form of punishment in which the individual “loses something good”

Negative Reinforcement - A form of reinforcement in which the individual “loses something bad”

Neurosis - Along with psychosis, one of the two broad categories of mental illness used in Europe in the 1800s; refers to disorders such as anxiety and depression in which the individual maintains an intact grasp on reality

Overpathologizing - Viewing as abnormal that which is actually normal; can be reduced by increasing cultural competence

Positive Punishment - A form of punishment in which the individual “gets something bad”

Positive Reinforcement - A form of reinforcement in which the individual “gets something good”

Social Support - Relationships with others who can provide support in a time of crisis and who can share in good fortune as well

Source: Clinical Psychology: Science, Practice, and Diversity (5th Edition) by Andrew M. Pomerantz

More: Word Lists

[kleopatra45]

Asteroid Juno (3)

Asteroid Juno in astrology represents themes of commitment, partnership, and the balance of power within relationships. When Juno is placed in different houses in a birth chart, it influences how these themes manifest in various areas of life.

Juno in the Houses

Juno in the 1st House This placement suggests that relationships are a significant part of your identity and self-expression. You may strongly identify with being in a partnership, and your personal goals could be intertwined with your relationships. Juno in the 2nd House Juno here emphasizes themes of commitment and partnership in the context of material security and values. You may seek stability and security in your partnerships, and financial matters could be closely tied to your relationships. Juno in the 3rd House Communication and intellectual compatibility are highlighted with Juno in the 3rd house. You may value mental rapport and shared interests in your relationships, and partnerships may involve a lot of talking and exchanging ideas. Juno in the 4th House Family and domestic life play a significant role in your partnerships with Juno in the 4th house. There could be a strong emphasis on creating a stable and nurturing home environment together with your partner. Juno in the 5th House Romance, creativity, and children (if applicable) are emphasized in your partnerships. You may seek a partner who shares your hobbies and interests, and relationships may involve a lot of fun, playfulness, and creativity. Juno in the 6th House Service, routines, and health may be important themes in your partnerships. You may find fulfillment in partnerships where you can work together towards common goals, and there may be a focus on maintaining health and well-being together. Juno in the 7th House This is the natural house of partnerships, so Juno here is very strong. You likely place a lot of importance on committed relationships, and your personal growth may be closely tied to your experiences with others. Juno in the 8th House Intimacy, shared resources, and transformation are key themes in your partnerships with Juno in the 8th house. You may seek deep emotional and psychological connections, and your partnerships may involve facing and overcoming challenges together. Juno in the 9th House Philosophy, beliefs, and higher learning may play a significant role in your partnerships. You may seek a partner who shares your worldview or who can expand your horizons through shared experiences and adventures. Juno in the 10th House Career, public image, and ambition are important in your partnerships with Juno in the 10th house. You may seek a partner who supports your professional goals or who shares your ambition for success and recognition. Juno in the 11th House Friendships, social causes, and group activities are emphasized in your partnerships. You may seek a partner who is also your friend and who shares your ideals and aspirations for the future. Juno in the 12th House Spirituality, hidden strengths, and unconscious patterns may be important in your partnerships. You may seek a deep spiritual or karmic connection with your partner, and your relationships may involve healing and spiritual growth.

Juno in the Signs

Aries: Juno in Aries indicates a desire for independence within a relationship. There is a need for a partner who respects one's autonomy and is supportive of personal initiatives. Taurus: Juno in Taurus seeks stability and security in a partnership. This placement values loyalty, sensuality, and material comfort within relationships. Gemini: Juno in Gemini values intellectual stimulation and communication in relationships. A partner who can engage in lively conversations and share diverse interests is ideal. Cancer: Juno in Cancer desires emotional security and nurturing in a relationship. There is a strong focus on family, home, and emotional bonding. Leo: Juno in Leo seeks admiration and passion in relationships. This placement values a partner who is expressive, affectionate, and appreciates one's creative self-expression. Virgo: Juno in Virgo values practicality and service in a partnership. There is a desire for a partner who is detail-oriented, reliable, and supportive in everyday life. Libra: Juno in Libra seeks balance, harmony, and equality in relationships. This placement values fairness, mutual respect, and shared decision-making. Scorpio: Juno in Scorpio desires deep emotional and sexual intimacy in a relationship. There is a need for a partner who can handle intensity and is committed to transformative experiences. Sagittarius: Juno in Sagittarius values freedom and adventure within a relationship. A partner who is open-minded, adventurous, and shares a love for exploration is ideal. Capricorn: Juno in Capricorn seeks a partnership that is goal-oriented and provides a sense of stability and achievement. This placement values a partner who is ambitious, responsible, and supportive of one's career. Aquarius: Juno in Aquarius desires a relationship that is unconventional and based on mutual respect for individuality. A partner who shares progressive values and encourages personal freedom is ideal. Pisces: Juno in Pisces seeks a spiritual and compassionate connection in relationships. There is a need for a partner who is empathetic, understanding, and supportive of one's dreams.

Juno in Aspects

Conjunctions: A conjunction of Juno with another planet intensifies the influence of that planet on one's approach to relationships and partnerships. For example, Juno conjunct Venus emphasizes love and beauty in relationships, while Juno conjunct Mars highlights passion and drive. Sextiles and Trines: These harmonious aspects indicate ease and support in integrating the energies of Juno and the other planet involved. For example, Juno sextile Mercury suggests smooth communication in relationships, while Juno trine Jupiter indicates growth and expansion through partnerships. Squares and Oppositions: These challenging aspects can indicate tension or conflict that needs to be addressed in relationships. For example, Juno square Saturn might indicate issues with commitment or responsibility, while Juno opposition Uranus could highlight a need to balance independence with partnership.

©️kleopatra45

[teaboot]

Forgive me if you’ve already answered something similar but how do you deal with crushing guilt when you did fuck up but there’s not really anything you can do to like make amends or you’ve already done anything you could and still feel guilty?

Like I know the guilt isn’t productive at all, if anything it’s just paralyzing me, and mentally beating myself up over it isn’t actually helping anyone. But I don’t know where to go from there. Idk how to actually forgive myself, or at least be able to move on

CW FOR SELF HARM

Okay, so this is something I've had to work through for a very long time myself, and there's a few different strategies that I've used to cope and process with varying levels of success.

What I used to do was handle the "I've ruined everything and hurt people and am never going to be forgiven" feeling by hurting myself in a number of creative and stupid ways, from physical hurt (Everything you'd expect) to mental hurt (wallowing, speaking badly of myself, going over the bad thing over and over again in my head) to passive hurt (neglecting my health, not eating properly, failing to pursue good living conditions, letting others hurt me, deliberately wandering into risky situations) and despite any short-term relief or peace I got, none of it ultimately fixed anything.

At the end of the day, making myself suffer as retribution or apology didn't fix the thing I'd done and didn't make the guilt go away, and all it gave me was an additional sense of shame and isolation because now not only was I a garbage person, I was a garbage person with something to hide from my loved ones. Zero out of ten, do not recommend.

The stuff that DID help was harder and is going to sound stupid because *I thought it was stupid* until it worked for me.

First: Learn the difference between GUILT and SHAME.

GUILT is how you feel about your choices.

SHAME is how you feel about yourself.

"I was late to a date again, that was inconsiderate": GUILT. The issue can be resolved by analyzing the reason behind the action and planning steps to avoid repeating it in the future. Guilt is productive because it motivates us to improve our choices. Once you've corrected the behaviour, it's over.

A"I was late to a date again, I'm inconsiderate": SHAME. The issue can be resolved by asking ourselves:

What negative thing to I believe about myself?

What other experiences support this belief? What evidence do I have that the bad thing is true?

Do those previous experiences have anything in common? Where they actually proof of a personal lack, or did someone just tell me they were? Were my choices and actions understandable? Did I have a reason? Was I trying to hurt others, or was it a mistake, accident, or learning experience? Have I grown from that experience?

Can I forgive myself for the past? What do I need to do to forgive myself for those past events? Was I really at fault at all, or was it out of my control?

Accept that.

Your present traumas and shames often have roots in beliefs you had about yourself before the new shameful thing occurred. When you dig into resolving the issues that led to today, you can use those conclusions to work through tomorrow. This is something I learned in cognitive behavioral therapy.

There are a number of ways of unpacking these questions, but as I felt I was deliberately avoiding my thoughts and feelings, I chose to jump into them directly, and found it to be effective.

You can write things down, talk to someone, paint something, draw something, whatever. Whatever at all works for you.

My solutions was to find a comfortable place on the floor, sit down, close my eyes, and do box-breathing (in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4) while deliberately thinking about every upsetting memory attached to a specific bad belief that I could recall until I had nothing left to go over.

Judge and jury. Was I a bad person, or did I make a mistake? Did I have malicious intentions, or did someone accuse me of malicious intentions? Am I bad, or have I been conditioned to believe I'm bad? And at the end of it all, am I capable of better? Do I want to be better? And would a truly bad person care?

It was more emotional than I expected the first few times. Cried a lot, actually. But if I can liken it to a common feeling, it was like getting out of a very thorough shower and realizing you didn't know how dirty you were before.

The process sucks ass, no lie, but it's worth it. Like draining pus from a gnarly wound to get it healed up properly.

I'm not an expert, of course, but life has gotten better since I started. I'm better at forgiving myself, at least.

Also: Some people will never forgive others even for tiny things. Sometimes once you've done your best, you've just gotta say "fuck 'em". C'est la vie, mon amie.

Good luck, yeah?

♡

[rafeyswrd]

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS

benedict bridgerton x princess (poc) reader

prologue.

After a series of agonising years of begging her mother to be let out into society — as a commoner would, equally putting her as the diamond of the season, the queen has finally, yet hesitantly agreed. Though with a single condition;

Sponsor the upcoming season. SUCCESSFULLY.

It was proven to be a challenge when her faith was put into the hands of the eldest bridgerton, whom was stubborn beyond belief. And it was only with the help of the second eldest that the princess might accomplish her goal.

However, getting Anthony to be married seemed to be less of a struggle in comparison to the hardship soon to occur with Benedict. Whose eyes never seem to leave her own.

OVERALL WARNING. smut!! (and lots of implied sex & talk), age gap (almost 8 years), toxic family, mentions of mental health issues, classism, abuse of power, mean ish lady danbury (i had to okay), alcohol consumption, misogyny, miscommunication, slowwww burn.

GENRE. fluff, angst, smut. a slight Rapunzel retelling, set in season 2–3 with mentions of season 1.

AUTHORS NOTE. ahhh!! i’m so excited for this, i’ve had this idea since i rewatched season 2 of bridgerton and read a one shot on here about princess reader, and it has not left my mind since. it takes place in season 2 and will have snippets of season 3. please feel free to leave suggestions of what you’d like to see xx

also!! i’ll finish your requests in my inbox soon i promise, this’ll probs make me go back to wp lol

[absolutepokemontrash]

This stupid Headcanon might be out of character- but Solomon has been alive and in the human world for a DAMN LONG TIME, so safe to say he’s seen the advancements in human medicine, and specifically mental health research, but can you imagine if he accidentally held onto some REALLY out of date beliefs that he never realized he kept until he says them out loud because it clashes with his ACTUAL MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE AND COMMON SENSE.

Solomon: Oh don’t be silly, MC, Levi doesn’t have autism, autism isn’t real. People just get possessed by demons sometimes-

Solomon: Wait-

—————

Solomon: Ah, Thirteen, you’re feeling anxious and rowdy? It’s that pesky uterus. You must have hysteria. Bedrest for you, and no leaving your room.

Thirteen: EHHHH???

Solomon: Wait no that’s not right-

—————

Solomon: Guys no people get wet dreams because succubi suck them off in their slee- wait-

MC: That one was quicker, at least-

—————

Solomon: Hysteri- wait no-

Lucifer: pray tell, Solomon, what is the cure for hysteria?

Solomon: Well, it was intense bedrest, isolation, and sometimes having an orga-

Lucifer (on the phone): Diavolo I cannot come to work, I have hysteria. I am going to the seaside to be cured, would you like to come with me-

[beguines]

Yet problems in the legitimacy of psychiatry's vocation have remained, and reached crisis point at the cusp of deinstitutionalisation in the 1970s. At the time, a number of significant studies demonstrated the profession's inherent tendency to label people as "mentally ill," to stigmatise everyday aspects of a person’s behaviour as signs of pathology, and to make judgements on a person's mental health status based on subjective judgements rather than objective criteria.

The study that had the most direct impact on the psychiatric profession—as well as public consciousness—at this time was David Rosenhan's (1973) classic research On Being Sane in Insane Places which found that psychiatrists could not distinguish between "real" and "pseudo" patients presenting at psychiatric hospitals in the United States. All of Rosenhan's "pseudo" patients (college students/researchers involved in the experiment) were admitted and given a psychotic label, and all the subsequent behaviour of the researchers—including their note-taking—was labelled by staff as further symptoms of their disorder. This research was a culmination of earlier studies on labelling and mental illness which had begun in the 1960s with Irving Goffman (1961) and Thomas Scheff (1966). Goffman's ethnographic study of psychiatric incarceration demonstrated many of the features which Rosenhan's study would later succinctly outline, including the arbitrary nature of psychiatric assessment, the labelling of patient behaviour as further evidence of "mental illness," and the processes of institutional conformity by which the inmates learned to accept such labels if they wanted to have any chance of being released from the institution at a later date. Scheff's work on diagnostic decision making in psychiatry formulated a general labelling theory for the sociology of mental health. Again, his research found that psychiatrists made arbitrary and subjective decisions on those designated as "mentally ill," sometimes retaining people in institutions even when there was no evidence to support such a decision. Psychiatrists, he argued, relied on a common sense set of beliefs and practices rather than observable, scientific evidence. Scheff concluded that the labelling of a person with a "mental illness" was contingent on the violation of social norms by low-status rule-breakers who are judged by higher status agents of social control (in this case, the psychiatric profession). Thus, according to these studies, the nature of "mental illness" is not a fixed object of medical study but rather a form of "social deviance"—a moral marker of societal infraction by the powerful inflicted on the powerless. This situation is summated in Becker's general theory of social deviance which stated that "deviance is not a quality of the act the person commits, but rather a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an 'offender.' The deviant is one to whom that label has successfully been applied; deviant behavior is behavior that people so label".

Bruce M.Z. Cohen, Psychiatric Hegemony: A Marxist Theory of Mental Illness

[aeth-eris]

★ indicators of an abusive household ★

★ moon in hard aspect to saturn often points to an emotionally distant or restrictive household. this could look like a lack of warmth, affection, or support, usually from one or both parents. criticism or high expectations might’ve created feelings of inadequacy or a belief that love must be “earned.”

★ moon opposite saturn tends to reflect a push-pull dynamic in emotional needs, where support and boundaries are inconsistent. this might mean experiencing emotional neglect, being pushed to “grow up” too soon, or taking on responsibilities early. the mother figure may have seemed distant or emotionally unavailable.

★ moon conjunct saturn feels like a heavy emotional weight. it’s often a home where vulnerability wasn’t encouraged, creating an atmosphere where emotions had to be controlled or hidden. affection could feel conditional, and nurturing was often linked with obligation rather than warmth.

★ moon in hard aspect to pluto points to an intense emotional environment marked by power struggles and manipulation, often with the mother or primary caregiver. control may be exerted through fear, and the atmosphere could feel stifling, creating deep-rooted mistrust or secrecy.

★ moon opposite pluto sets up a tug-of-war between emotional security and control. family members may use intimidation or emotional dominance, leading to a household where fear or anxiety was often present.

★ moon conjunct pluto adds a layer of emotional entrapment, with a caregiver’s influence that might feel overwhelming, making it difficult for the person to establish their own boundaries or independence.

★ mars in the 4th house/aries ic can bring aggression directly into the home environment, often manifesting as arguments, explosive temperaments, or even physical aggression. people with this placement may feel like they’re always on edge, as if the home is a “battle zone,” and they may develop strong defenses as a means of protection. if mars has difficult aspects to saturn or pluto, this can suggest a highly toxic or abusive environment where boundaries are frequently violated, either emotionally or physically.

★ pluto in the 4th house/scorpio ic can create a family environment steeped in secrecy, control, or even hidden trauma. it often indicates a home life with intense power struggles, where manipulation or coercion might be common. this placement may hint at family secrets or a history of trauma, resulting in a household that feels heavy with unspoken issues. if pluto has challenging aspects to personal planets like the moon or mars, this could make the home environment feel more oppressive, adding themes of emotional or psychological control.

★ saturn in the 4th house/capricorn ic usually signals a restrictive, often cold household, where there might be a strong emphasis on discipline or duty over emotional support. people with this placement may have experienced an authoritarian parent or a home life that felt more like a set of obligations than a space of warmth and acceptance. if saturn has hard aspects with mars or pluto, it can intensify feelings of neglect or suppression, sometimes indicating harsh discipline or an emotionally closed-off environment.

★ venus in hard aspect to pluto reflects complicated family relationships, where love and acceptance might be tangled with control or possessiveness. this aspect often brings a theme of conditional love, where the individual may feel they need to earn affection, leading to issues with self-worth. when venus and pluto are in conflict, family relationships can feel like a power struggle, with themes of jealousy, control, or manipulation affecting how the person relates to love.

★ moon conjunct, square, or opposite neptune can reflect a confusing or unstable home life, often where boundaries are blurred or reality is avoided. this is common in households where denial, addiction, or mental health issues create an atmosphere of uncertainty or instability. with this aspect, the person may feel that their emotions are invalidated or overlooked, leading to confusion and a struggle to distinguish between fantasy and reality within family relationships.

★ the ruler of the 4th house in hard aspect to mars can bring conflict, aggression, or volatility into the family dynamic. this may manifest as frequent arguments, an unpredictable atmosphere, or even physical aggression. when the 4th house ruler is in hard aspect to pluto, there might be hidden power struggles or control issues that color the home environment, sometimes leading to feelings of being trapped or dominated. with hard aspects to saturn, the home environment could feel cold, strict, or devoid of emotional warmth, where rules and expectations overshadow affection.

★ chiron in the 4th house often represents emotional wounds connected to family and home. this can mean feeling “unwanted” or “unaccepted,” as if the individual didn’t fit within their family. chiron here might signal a caregiver who was emotionally unavailable or critical, leading to long-lasting feelings of inadequacy or shame. people with this placement may also feel a strong sense of responsibility for family issues, as though they’re meant to “heal” or “fix” familial wounds, even at their own emotional expense.

★ moon in hard aspect to uranus often suggests a highly unpredictable family environment. with this aspect, the person may have experienced sudden changes, separations, or erratic behaviors from family members. this setup can create emotional insecurity and make it difficult to form a stable sense of trust or attachment.

[starastrologyy]

Astrology Notes 🪐

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When your Solar Return Mars is in the 6th house, this is likely to be a very productive year. However, you need to make sure you’re taking care of your health and not overworking yourself. Burnout and poor health will often emerge in such a year, if you are not prioritizing your health and peace.

If you have the ruler of your midheaven in the 10th house, you may own your own business or be in a managerial position at your job. People who reach great heights in the careers often have this placement. It is also possible that you may work in a traditionally ‘prestigious’ or well respected career. Examples are working as a doctor, lawyer, CEO of a successful company etc…

If you have the ruler of your 8th house in the 4th, you may find that you make a lot of money investing in real estate. This is also a placement that can suggest receiving an inheritance from a family member.

Saturn transiting your 3rd house can be a very somber time in your life. You may feel unmotivated or prone to feelings of loneliness and melancholy during this time. Similar to Saturn transiting the 9th house, your outlook on life in general may not always be the most pleasant during this time. Nevertheless, this can be a good time to enroll in a short course or some kind of educational program.

Saturn in the 9th house of a composite chart can be that the two people have very different belief systems and that consequently causes restrictions within the relationship. However, it can also be the opposite. Meaning, the thing that “binds” the couple together is in fact their shared belief systems. Saturn in the 9th is also common to see in the composite charts of couples who are long distance or those who travel long distances together(couples who travel to different countries together).

Something so interesting is that we often have aspects or placements that are associated with the sign over one or both of our parents 5th house cusp. For example, your mother may have Uranus in the 5th house, and you may have an Aquarius Sun, Moon, or rising. Alternatively, it could be that Uranus aspects many of your other placements. I know this may not apply to everyone, but look into your parent’s birth charts! You may be surprised!

A new romantic or business relationship can often start when your Progressed Moon makes a conjunction to your natal descendent. This is especially true if it is a “progressed new moon”. Meaning, your progressed moon is making a conjunction to your natal sun.

Moon square Mars synastry can at times be difficult (especially if it occurs at an orb that is less than 3 degrees) because the Moon person may perceive the Mars person as being insensitive, harsh, or even impulsive. Whereas the Mars person can view the Moon person as being overly sensitive. In a romantic relationship, this aspect can add to the attraction. However, if there are no mitigating factors there can be hurt feelings over time.

When someone’s Mercury falls into your 12th house in synastry, you may feel comfortable opening up to them, and telling them things you would not ordinarily tell someone else. You could often talk about spirituality, mental health, and things you prefer to keep “hidden” from others. At times you may even feel like they can “read your mind” or easily sense what you’re thinking.

People with the North Node in the 7th house tend to be hyper independent (South Node 1st house). Thus, actively dedicating time to connect meaningfully with others is a big part of their karmic destiny here on earth. There is a tendency to self isolate with a 1st house south node, especially when the individual is struggling in any capacity.

On the topic of isolation, those who have the ruler of their Ascendant in the 12th house are also inclined to isolate themselves from the world when struggling. Escapist behaviors can also be high with this placement. However, these are some of the most compassionate and resilient people you will meet.

People with Mars retrograde in their charts may struggle when it comes to the manner in which they express anger/their drive. These people can often hold onto anger for extended periods of time only to let it all out at once. Thus, their anger can often seem misplaced or to come from “out of the blue”.