CW: Mentions of self-harm, harmful behaviors, and addiction. Two years ago, I couldn’t imagine giving up self-harm or non-suicidal self-injury (SH/NSSI). Because my wounds would always heal, I felt like there was no risk in engaging in these behaviors. Now that I’ve been clean for over a year, I can appreciate the growth and healing […]
CW: Self-harm, depression, and anxiety. I have a lot of bad habits, all varying in severity – from procrastination to my habits of cutting and skin picking, often to the point of self-injury. Both are self-destructive tendencies that harm me in some capacity, but the difference lies in the type of harm. In my opinion, […]
Last fall, I was diagnosed with several mental illnesses that shaped my mental health support, therapy, and treatment plans. Psychiatrists diagnosed me with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, an unspecified eating disorder, and bipolar disorder. Through my own experiences, I’ve learned that getting a health diagnosis can be challenging–but [...]
CW: Depression, Mental Illness, and Self-Harm Waking up early to go to the gym or going for a run after a long workday can be challenging, especially for those living with mental health conditions. Exercise is usually the last thing on someone’s mind when it takes all of their energy to get out of bed […]
CW: Binge eating, self-harm, addiction. Most people deal with stress throughout their lives. Learning to cope with stress in healthy ways can make people more resilient and help combat chronic illness and mental health issues according to the CDC. However, not all coping mechanisms are healthy. Negative coping mechanisms such as substance abuse, compulsive spending, […]
Imagine you’re on a road trip and you end up on a different side of town. Nothing looks familiar. You’re feeling lost, because you’re not quite sure which exit to take on the highway. It’s getting really late, and the thing you want the most is to get home safely. Thankfully, you manage to get […]
The first time I brought up suicide to anyone, I felt scared. I was confused and concerned about what they would think. I had never even thought about reaching out to someone to tell them what I was thinking until that point, and instead I questioned everything that went through my mind. “Does it even […]
[Content Warning: The effects of sexual assault on mental health] I think for a long time I’ve strived to be normal or to “pass” for normal. I’ve tried to hide my past and my continued struggles, but my past is a part of me. And those struggles? Well, they are too. Today, I feel stronger […]
Suicide Prevention Month stirs up a lot of different emotions for different people. While some people use this time to show that they are here to help those who are struggling, other people feel a sense of sadness, hopelessness, or despair. The topic of suicide isn’t an easy one to talk about… as I write […]
“Excuse me, but what are those?” “What the hell did you do, blow up a grenade on yourself?” “You should cover that up.” “Those are insane!” “What’s wrong with your skin?” “Everyone’s going to judge you, you know.” “I personally think scars are sexy.” All of these comments were uttered to me by total strangers […]
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Adira Bennett