#Mental health condition

[themogaidragon]

I have to ask can people who have GAD use this flag?

Yes! This flag represents anxiety disorders, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is an anxiety disorder.

The other anxiety disorders are: social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder (PD), specific phobia (SP), agoraphobia (AG), separation anxiety disorder (SAD), health anxiety/hypochondria (HA) and selective/situational mutism (SM). They often overlap. :) /infodump

[favorhealthcareservicesllc]

Living with mental health challenges can be overwhelming, but with the right support and Coping Strategies, individuals can lead fulfilling lives. Access to comprehensive psychiatric services in Humble, Texas, is crucial for addressing mental health concerns effectively. Offers a range of psychiatric services to support individuals on their journey to recovery.

[marieabanga]

Help us help Stephen's mother who lives with Schizophrenia

Help us help Stephen’s mother who lives with Schizophrenia. On an evangelistic mission, I met Majolie who has been living with Schizophrenia for around 2 decades now. She has a 10 year old son who is taken carz of by her ailing mother. We would like to as an association also, take her back to see a psychiatrist and offer her all the therapeutic care we can. We do this video to show you some of…

[witsandwellnessmentalhealth]

Bipolar mood disorder is a multifaceted mental health condition that necessitates comprehensive support and understanding from Mental Health Services. Individuals grappling with this disorder endure alternating periods of manic highs and depressive lows, significantly impacting their daily lives. We, as a provider of mental health services licensed in Texas, Maryland, Wyoming, and New York, are a team of professionals committed to offering personalized care and support to individuals traversing the challenges of bipolar mood disorder.

[idigitizellp21]

How To Support A Loved One With A Mental Health Condition

Wondering what to do and what not to do, what to say and what not to say to a loved one struggling with their mental health? Even with the best of intentions, we may quite easily, unwittingly be unhelpful instead. Read on for some guidelines on what could actually help.

A Step-by-step Guide:

1. Understanding Mental Health Conditions: A Starting Point for Supportive Loved Ones Mental health conditions affect millions of people worldwide, and understanding these conditions is the first step in providing support. Common mental health conditions include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more. Each of these conditions comes with its own set of symptoms and challenges. Educating yourself about these conditions is crucial. It helps you recognize the signs and symptoms in your loved one, allowing you to provide more effective support. Knowledge also reduces the stigma associated with mental health, making it easier for individuals to seek help.

2. Effective Communication: Talking to Your Loved One about Mental Health Conversations about mental health can be challenging, but they are essential. Start with empathy and understanding. Create a safe, non-judgmental space where your loved one can open up. Be an active listener, showing that you genuinely care about their feelings and experiences. Avoid offering unsolicited advice or trying to “fix” their problems. Sometimes, your loved one might just need someone to listen and validate their feelings. Ask open-ended questions to encourage them to share more about what they’re going through.

3. Offering Emotional Support: What to Say and What Not to Say Supportive statements and gestures can make a significant difference. Simple phrases like “I’m here for you” and “I care about you” can provide comfort. Avoid minimizing their feelings or telling them to “snap out of it.” Mental health challenges are real, and acknowledging them is important. Never blame or dismiss their feelings. Phrases like “It’s all in your head” or “You’re overreacting” can be hurtful. Instead, validate their emotions and let them know that what they’re going through is valid.

4. Empathy and Active Listening: Keys to Providing Comfort Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It’s a powerful tool in providing emotional support. Show empathy by acknowledging your loved one’s emotions without judgment. Simply being present, both physically and emotionally, can be incredibly comforting. Active listening involves techniques like reflecting on their feelings, validating their experiences, and asking open-ended questions. By actively listening, you create an environment where your loved one feels heard and valued, which is crucial for their mental well-being.

5. Setting Boundaries: Self-Care for Supporters Supporting a loved one with a mental health condition can be emotionally draining. It’s essential to set boundaries to protect your own mental well-being. Boundaries can include allocating specific times for self-care, knowing when to step back if the situation becomes overwhelming, and seeking your support system. Balancing support for your loved one with self-care helps you maintain the strength and energy needed to provide ongoing assistance.

6. Seeking Professional Help: Encouraging Treatment and Therapy Encouraging your loved one to seek professional help is a critical step in their recovery. Gently express your concern and provide information about available resources. Offer to help them find a mental health professional or therapist specializing in their condition. Highlight the benefits of professional treatment, including access to effective therapies and medication when necessary. Keep in mind that seeking help is a courageous and positive step towards recovery.

7. Dealing with Crisis Situations: When to Seek Urgent Help In some situations, mental health crises may arise, and it’s essential to know how to respond. Signs of crisis can include self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or severe panic attacks. If you observe these signs, take immediate action. Stay with your loved one, listen to them, and remove any immediate dangers. Contact emergency services or a mental health crisis hotline for professional help.

8. Reducing Stigma and Building a Supportive Community Reducing the stigma surrounding mental health is a collective effort. Engage in open conversations about mental health, both in your personal and online communities. Share personal stories and experiences to normalize discussions about mental well-being. Support your loved one by attending therapy sessions or support groups with them. Building a strong, supportive community can significantly impact their recovery journey.

9. Supporting Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Issues Supporting young loved ones with mental health conditions requires unique strategies. Communication must be age-appropriate, and involving parents, teachers, and mental health professionals may be necessary. Understanding children and adolescents’ specific challenges is crucial to providing effective support.

10. Taking Care of Yourself: The Importance of Self-Care as a Caregiver Remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish but necessary for providing effective support. Engage in self-care practices such as regular exercise, therapy, and time management to maintain your own mental well-being. By prioritizing self-care, you’ll be better equipped to help your loved one on their journey to recovery.

Conclusion:

In supporting a loved one with a mental health condition, it is crucial to educate oneself about their specific challenges and foster open, non-judgmental communication. Encouraging professional help, setting boundaries for self-care, and actively participating in reducing mental health stigma contribute to a holistic and effective support system. Prioritizing both the well-being of the individual and the caregiver ensures a sustainable and compassionate approach to navigating the complexities of mental health challenges.

– Urveez Kakalia.

[wmhd]

The Society Of Preventive Psychiatry.

The Society of Preventive Psychiatry is having a live celebration in Psychiko, Athens, Greece, in the presence of Ministers of the Greek Government, the President of the Academy of Athens, and the Dean of Athens University, with the following Professors of Psychiatry as speakers- Prof. George Christodoulou (Athens University), Former President, WFMH; Prof. Marina Economou (Athens University); Prof. Nikos Tzavaras (University of Thrace); Prof. Nikos Christodoulou (University of Thessaly).

WHERE: Greece

WHEN: 27th September 2023.

[positivelyqueer]

give love to people with traumatic brain injury, acquired brain injury, stroke, neurological condition, worsening mental health, trauma, PTSD and all other brain based conditions that make you feel conflicted about your identity. About whether or not you’re the ‘same person’ you were before your injury or illness. People constant evolve and change but can be more difficult when changes more sudden, pronounced, and noticed by others. I hope you are doing well and are able to find some peace, support and love.

[kindnessoverperfection]

Please, if you can, take a moment to read and share this because I feel like I'm screaming underwater.

NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder) stigma is rampant right now, and seems to be getting progressively worse. Everyone is using it as a buzzword in the worst ways possible, spreading misinformation and hatred against a real disorder.

I could go on a long time about how this happened, why it's factually incorrect (and what the disorder actually IS), why it's harmful, and the changes I'd like to see. But to keep this concise, I'll simply link to a few posts under the cut for further reading.

The point of this post is a plea. Please help stop the spread of stigma. Even in mental health communities, even around others with personality disorders, in neurodivergent "safe" spaces, other communities I thought people would be supportive in (e.g. trans support groups, progressive spaces in general), it keeps coming up. So I'm willing to bet that a lot of people on this site need to see this.

Because it's so hard to exist in this world.

My disorder already makes me feel as if I'm worthless and unlovable, like there's something inherently wrong and damaged about me. And it's so much harder to fight that and heal when my daily life consists of:

Laughing and spending time with my friends, doing my utmost best to connect and stay present and focused on them, trying to let my guards down and be real and believe I'm lovable- when suddenly they throw out the word "narcissist" to describe horrible people or someone they hate, or the conversation turns to how evil "people with narcissistic personality disorder" are. (Seriously, you don't know which of your friends might have NPD and feels like shit when you say those things & now knows that you'd hate them if you knew.)

Trying to look up "mental health positivity for people with npd", "mental health positivity cluster bs", only to find a) none of that, and b) more of the same old vile shit that makes me feel terrible about myself.

Having a hard time (which is constant at this point) and trying to look up resources for myself, only to again, find the same stigma. And no resources.

Not having any clue how to help myself, because even the mental health field is spitting so much vitriol at people with DISORDERS (who they're supposed to be helping!) that there's no solid research or therapy programs for people like me.

Losing close friends when they find out, despite us having had a good relationship before, and them KNOWING me and knowing that I'm not like the trending image of pwNPD. Because now they only see me through the lens of stigma and misinformation.

Hearing the same stigma come up literally wherever I go. Clubs. Meetings. Any online space. At the bus stop. At the mall. At a restaurant. At work. Buzzword of the year that everyone loooves loudly throwing around with their friends or over the phone. Feels awesome for me, makes my day so much better/s

I could go on for a long time, but I'm scared no one will read/rb this if it gets too much longer.

So please. Stop using the word "narcissist" as a synonym for "abusive".

Stop bringing up people you hate who you believe to have NPD because of a stigmatizing article full of misinformation whenever someone with actual NPD opens their mouth. (Imagine if people did that with any other disorder! "Hey, I'm autistic." "Oh... my old roommate screamed at me whenever I made noise around him, and didn't understand my needs, which seems like sensory overload and difficulty with social cues. He was definitely autistic. But as long as you're self-aware and always restraining your innate desire to be an abusive asshole, you're okay I guess, maybe." ...See how offensive and ignorant that is?)

Stop preventing healthcare for people with a disorder just because it's trendy to use us as a scapegoat.

If you got this far, thank you for reading, and please share this if you can. Further reading is under the cut.

NPD Criteria, re-written by someone who actually has NPD

Stigma in the DSM

Common perception of the DSM criteria vs how someone may actually experience them (Keep in mind that this is the way I personally experience these symptoms, and that presentation can vary a lot between individuals)

"Idk, the stigma is right though, because I've known a lot of people with NPD who are jerks, so I'm going to continue to support the blockage of treatment for this condition."

(All of these were written by me, because I didn't want to link to other folks' posts without permission, but if you want to add your own links in reblogs or replies please feel free <3)

[tenth-sentence]

Tom's need to live out his life as a memorial to his comrades taught me that he was suffering from a condition much more complex than simply having bad memories or damaged brain chemistry – or altered fear circuits in the brain.

"The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, brain and body in the transformation of trauma" - Bessel van der Kolk

[healthiswe]

Understanding and Managing Depression

[uncanny-tranny]

I think it would really benefit people to internalize that mental illnesses are often chronic and not acute. Some of us will never be able to jump the hurdle of managing illness, much less sustaining a sense of normalcy. Many of us will never "recover," will never manage symptoms, will never even come close to appearing normal - and this is for any condition, even the ones labeled as "simple" disorders or "easy-to-manage" disorders.

It isn't a failure if you cannot manage your symptoms. It isn't a moral failure, and you aren't an awful person. You are human. There's only so much you can do before recognizing that you cannot lift the world. Give yourself the space to be ill because, functionally, you are.

[favorhealthcareservicesllc]

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood as a condition solely characterized by an irrational fear of dirt or germs. However, the reality is far more complex. OCD encompasses a wide range of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that significantly impact an individual’s daily life. Let’s delve deeper into this misunderstood mental health condition.

[detentiontrack]

People loooove to romanticize bipolar disorder and it pisses me off. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be in a stable loving relationship because 4-6 times a year, I’m manic and completely not myself. I have to intensely monitor my sleep, my diet, and my routines to make sure I don’t go into an episode. I have to take several medications every day that have terrible side effects on my body and mind. I couldn’t hold a job until this year. I almost failed out of college multiple times because I was too psychotic to focus on school. Every time I tell someone I’m bipolar I can hear the fear or judgement in their voice. You don’t want bipolar. Mania is not a quirky thing that makes you interesting. This disease has almost killed me or ruined my life permanently many different times.

[quarterlifekitty]

Uhhhhhhh I’ve been thinking about like turn of the century 1899 American Midwest setting. John Price as the head physician at the sanitarium you’re staying at. And all of the orderlies say that you’re very lucky that he’s taken such special interest in your case. That he’s giving you a specialized treatment plan— personally overseeing your care, even though he’s such a busy man.

He’s really just grooming you into the perfect wife. Making sure you depend on him. Love him for saving you from yourself. And he can just keep pushing back the discharge date until he thinks you’re well… And by well, he means ready for the real thing.

[nonbinarymlm]

We Need to Accept that Silly Things Can Hurt People

Please allow me to ruminate a bit more on mental health on this blog. I have ADHD and OCD, both disorders commonly stereotyped and conflated with minor, silly behaviors like yelling SQUIRREL when you see a squirrel and organizing things by color. These stereotypes can often minimize and erase the genuine difficulties and harm that these conditions can cause. That’s very true, and it often causes intense sensitively and knee-jerk denial around stereotypes around this. I don’t think that’s necessarily the best reaction, because sometimes people can have symptoms very similar to these stereotypes.

I think we need to accept that silly things can hurt people. Silly, ridiculous symptoms can devastate people’s lives. People shouldn’t have to react into their painful past and trauma to get people to take their symptoms seriously when those symptoms are silly on their face, because that turns things into a pain competition and can result in gatekeeping how much people must suffer before their seemingly ridiculous symptoms get taken seriously.

I think we just need to, as a society and culture and social norm, accept that silly things can genuinely, sometimes intensely, hurt people. Yes, I do have the impulse to tell an animal’s name when I see that animal, and yes it’s part of my symptoms that makes it harder to me to drive and hold conversations and do basic functioning. Yes, I do worry about incredibly tiny and silly things, that the world’s tiniest cut means I’m literally dying, and this has at times been incredibly miserable to live with and severely inhibited my functioning and nearly lost me a job. Also I’m going to joke about it sometimes because it’s funny. I’m not going to find a joke about it from a stranger with no OCD funny, because they have no idea how much pain it can cause me.

Sometimes these conditions are absurd in ways that are funny. That’s true and people with the conditions should be able to joke about it. But everyone needs to understand, just because a symptom is absurd doesn’t mean it can’t also devastate you and ruin your life. So if you don’t have these conditions and aren’t super close to someone who has them, I think you should be sensitive and avoid joking even if it seems silly and funny. I think there is where true destigmatization lies: accepting that the silly brain can also really hurt.