#break the stigma

[iambeautifullyunhinged]

[suicidal1sociopath]

No, your abusive parent, friend, partner or ex probably wasn't a narcissist.

According to statistics NPD isn't that common and there is actually really low chance that your abuser is a narcissist.

And even if your abuser is a narcissist. Why the fuck does it matter??? "Narcissistic abuse" isn't only ableist and ignorant but also abuse explaining. Someone abused you because someone is a fucking abusive asshole, not because they're a narc.

[iambipolarbaby]

[ableist-cut]

How AJ Lee's WWE Gimmick Played with Madness and Paid the Price

Towards the mid-2010s, AJ Mendez (AJ Lee) was one of the most recognizable faces on WWE's women's roster. The female wrestler brought an agile performance with unmatched charismatic mic skills. However, the character didn't become most known because of her wrestling skills. It's cause she was "crazy."

AJ Lee's gimmick of the "Crazy Girl" was not so subtle. When she came out, she would skip to the ring in Converse sneakers with her head tilted to one side. When the character was featured in matches, she was often there to manipulate, sabotage, or lash out altogether.

Consistently, she was called unstable, erratic, and obsessive. This storyline wasn't written to heal past trauma or even educate people. It was purely a character written for someone's entertainment. WWE, around this time, leaned into this theme very hard. They even changed AJ Lee's role to a General Manager, so that she could interfere in matches erratically. The company even pushed her into love-triangle storylines, where he craziness was the twist in the story.

This gimmick is not new whatsoever. We've seen it in characters like Harley Quinn from the Batman series and Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction. This stable expresses that women are allowed to be powerful, as long as they are unhinged. These "crazy" behaviors are fun to watch and easy to dismiss.

After leaving WWE, AJ Mendez (AJ Lee) revealed in her autobiography, Crazy is My Superpower, that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This only made her resent how her character was written and handled on the WWE network. She wrote openly in her book about her own struggles with mental illness and how uncomfortable she had felt for being known as "crazy" on screen. Since then, AJ has become a very strong advocate for mental health awareness. She uses her established platform to promote real-life conversations people should be having about mental illness.

AJ Lee made this gimmick work for so long because she was just that talented and dedicated to her craft. However, we shouldn't have to ask women, or anyone, to perform their trauma for entertainment. Mental illness is NOT a character flaw. IT'S NOT SEXY! IT'S NOT SCARY! It's humanity.

[untold-truth-hehe]

BLIND FAITH.

How far has blind faith sunk its roots into humanity? How deeply has it intoxicated the world? We must ask ourselves: what is the purpose of faith if it erases the boundaries between right and wrong?

Faith is meant to uplift, to inspire hope and love, but blind faith? It blinds judgment. It leads to actions that are not only irrational but often catastrophic. Just because someone acts in the name of faith doesn’t mean their actions are inherently right—or that dissent is inherently wrong.

What people often fail to grasp is the essence of morality. True morality transcends rituals and dogmas. It is the compass that guides us toward compassion, justice, and humanity. Being human means having the ability to distinguish right from wrong, not through blind allegiance to belief systems, but through conscious understanding.

Faith without morality is dangerous; it becomes a weapon that divides, harms, and destroys. Let us choose wisdom over ignorance, and humanity over blind devotion. Because in the end, what defines us is not what we believe in—but how we act.

[spicebutchmansion]

beginner guide to autistic stim toys

I too was once scouring the internet just after realizing I was autistic, but turning up what was mainly the blogs of "autism moms". Not exactly was I was looking for since they're weird and actually autistic adults and teens are not their target audience. So if you are finding yourself unsure where to look or what's actually good, I hope you enjoy this list!

funkyfidgetsshop.co.uk - this site has a lot of very reasonably priced and high quality fidgets and sweets. my favorites are their moon & stars stress ball, Needoh nice cube, and textured sensory ring. items listed include ones that are silent & classroom/workplace friendly, and ones that make noise.

tanglecreations.com - a well loved classic, the variety of tangles is very good! I am obsessed with the textured series, hairy tangle, and infinity pearl aqua. visually stunning options as well as lots of different textures and feels for different sensory needs. pretty silent and safe for school or work as well.

harkla.co - the sensory sock they make is widely well reviewed, as well as coming in child and adult sizes. a great addition to a reading nook, as you can cocoon yourself inside if so desired.

us.loopearplugs.com - I definitely recommend these and love the pair I own. with a wide range of noise cancelling/muting ranges and colors to pick from, these are great. I have the quiet loops and appreciate the soft silicone material, this makes it so I can sleep with them in.

[talkinghearingloss]

Let’s be honest—hearing loss isn’t something most of us dream about growing up. No one’s walking around saying, “When I grow up, I hope I miss half the punchlines at the dinner table!” But here we are. And you know what? That’s okay. Because while life doesn’t come with a volume knob, we do get to choose how we respond when things quiet down. Hearing loss isn’t the end of your story—it’s just a different chapter. And with the right mindset, tools, and a bit of rebellious confidence, you can absolutely own it.

[anthroxlove]

The Feminine Hygiene Routine No One Taught Us

"If you've ever thought I smell off, even right after showering, THIS is probably why. This is everything I wish someone told me about feminine hygiene before I wasted years doing it wrong."

[saryumeheta]

🌿 The Complete Guide to Family Wellness in India 🌿

Planning your family’s future? Here’s where to find the best support:

🏥 Top Counseling Centers: • Parivar Seva Sanstha (affordable care) • Marie Stopes (trusted reproductive health) • FPA India (inclusive sexual health education)

🧠 Mental Health Matters Too: Featured experts like Dr. Samir Parikh (child psychology) and Dr. Harish Shetty (family counseling) – because emotional health is just as important as physical health.

💻 Digital Support: Online options available via @lyfsmile for discreet, accessible care from home.

💬 Let’s Talk: What’s your experience with family planning services in India? DM for resources or share your story (anon enabled).

📞 Phone: [+91 98047 91047] 📧 Email: [help@lyfsmile.com] 📍 Visit Us: Dwarka, Gurgaon, Delhi

[cowtownpride]

This World Mental Health Day, let's shine a light on mental health in the queer community. LGBTQIA+ individuals face unique challenges that impact mental well-being, from stigma and discrimination to higher rates of depression and anxiety. You are not alone, and your mental health matters. Let's break the silence, support each other, and advocate for accessible, affirming mental health care for all.

[iambeautifullyunhinged]

[ambeebambiilee]

You reached for the secret too soon, You cried for the moon.

Shine on you crazy diamond.

Threatened by shadows at night, And exposed in the light.

Shine on you crazy diamond.

Well you wore out your welcome With random precision, Rode on the steel breeze.

Come on you raver, you seer of visions, Come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!

Created: 2018

[iambipolarbaby]

I have bipolar disorder 🧠

[bakingforthebrain]

What we are ABOUT:

Hello everyone, and welcome to the Baking for the Brain blogging account😊

In these posts, our main focus will be on mental health

Our goal for this account is to spread awareness and break the stigma of mental health/illnesses

Typical post will circle around positivity, wellness, self-love/care/importance, mental disorders, etc.

Here, we will also discuss about baking our favorite sweet treats (give us some recommendations!), sharing recipes, and talking about our comfort foods

If you are interested in either baking, mental health, psychology, wellness, or all of the above—follow our page+insta (I’d really appreciate all the support I can get😅)

Let us know what you guys want to see from us too

Thank you, and hope to see some members!

[introvertontheoutside]

Illusion Of Choice

From the way we dress to the way we live, much of what we call “personal choice” is often a carefully constructed response to societal expectations. We like to believe we’re independent thinkers, making decisions based on our desires and values. But in reality, many of our choices are shaped by an unspoken rule: fit in or stand alone.

Dressing for Approval, Not for Ourselves

Fashion is often seen as self-expression, but how much of it is truly our choice? Trends dictate what’s “in,” and the fear of looking outdated or out of place pushes us to follow them. Even those who claim to dress uniquely often do so within socially acceptable boundaries. The question is: if society didn’t care, would we still dress the same way?

The Life Milestones We ‘Choose’

Society sets a timeline: graduate by a certain age, land a stable job, get married, have kids. Anyone who deviates from this path faces judgment—especially women, who often hear, “When are you getting married?” as if it’s an inevitable step rather than a personal decision.

Many people don’t question these milestones; they simply follow the path carved out for them. But how many truly want what they’re chasing, and how many are simply avoiding being labeled as “different”?

Relationships: Love or Expectation?

Even in relationships, choices are shaped by social norms. Who we date, when we settle down, and even how we express love are influenced by cultural expectations. From traditional gender roles to pressure from family and friends, the idea of a “perfect relationship” is often built on what’s deemed acceptable rather than what actually makes us happy.

The Fear of Being Different

At the core of this illusion of choice is one thing: fear. The fear of judgment, of isolation, of not belonging. Humans are wired to seek social acceptance, and while that’s natural, it often forces us to conform in ways we don’t even realize.

Breaking Free: A Choice We Can Make

Fitting in isn’t always a bad thing, but blindly following the crowd is. The key is to recognize when we’re making decisions out of genuine desire versus social pressure. Ask yourself:

Do I actually want this, or do I just not want to be different?

Would I make the same choice if no one was watching?

Am I living for myself, or for the approval of others?

True freedom isn’t about rebelling against society for the sake of it—it’s about making choices that genuinely align with who we are. And that starts with questioning everything we assume we “have” to do.

Are you really choosing, or are you just trying to fit in?

[gabatelepsychiatry-blog]

Is Domestic Violence Connected to Depression in Men?

Depression isn’t gender biased, both women and men are equal victims of this mental disorder. In fact, it is harder to recognize the signs in men than in women. How many men do you know who openly share their inner thoughts and emotions? Definitely not the men we know!

This society has created such a social stigma around men and their emotional intelligence that we don't know or have never understood the pain behind their actions. 

This generation is thriving to build a more inclusive society. Domestic violence from men can actually be related to a depressive disorder. Some studies have found a correlation between depression in men and an increased risk of perpetrating domestic violence. 

Your happiness matters. Connect with a depression counselor for a brief call and discover the support you deserve.

How common is depression in men?

In the U.S., about 1 in 6 men will experience depression at some point in their lives. This can make the risk of suicide significantly higher, with nearly 14 men taking their own lives every day.

On a global scale, depression affects over 280 million people, and more than 700,000 people die by suicide each year. Men are especially at risk, being roughly three times more likely to die by suicide than women. This underscores the urgent need for better mental health support and intervention for men everywhere.

Signs of Depression in Men

Identifying signs in men is quite challenging, considering the fact that you notice the men around you more often and can notice even a slight shift of emotion or mood in them. Here are some common signs you can look out for:

Constant sadness or irritability

Loss of interest in activities they usually like to do

Sleep patterns change

Feeling tired constantly

Sleep patterns

Problems with focusing or memory

Heightened angry 

No longer interested in food or losing weight 

Self-medication through the use of drugs or alcohol

To Learn more on Depression and its effects and symptoms, visit our page to read a comprehensive blog

How Domestic Violence Contributes to Depression in Men

Research has shown that men dealing with depression might be at a higher risk of exhibiting harmful behaviors in their relationships. It's important to handle this topic with empathy and understanding, acknowledging that mental health issues and domestic violence are complex and intertwined. 

Depression and Behavior: Depression is something that can change a person’s perception of their ability to cope well with stress. It often ends up with the person displaying actions like anger, irritability, mood fluctuations, an inability to manage their emotions, or intrusive thoughts. For some, this may escalate further into harmful actions.

Impact on Relationships: Depression can contribute to unhealthy family dynamics, including withdrawal, increased conflict, and communication breakdowns. In extreme cases, this can manifest as abusive behavior.

Risk Factors: We can’t categorize every man out there as susceptible to abusive behavior or domestic violence if they have depression. But certain risk factors, such as history of abuse, untreated trauma, substance abuse, or a lack of support systems, should also be considered. 

Approaching the Issue

Depression and domestic violence are both complex issues with many contributing factors. Not all depressed men are violent. It's essential to emphasize that the majority of men with depression do not engage in domestic violence. Depression alone does not cause someone to become violent. 

Addressing domestic violence requires a complex approach that includes mental health support, substance abuse treatment, education about healthy relationships, and challenging harmful societal norms.

If you or someone you know is navigating these challenges, seeking support and talking about these issues can be a powerful step toward healing. Let's foster conversations that promote mental health awareness and safety for everyone. 

Feeling lost in a sea of sadness? Connect with a depression specialist over a call and start your journey towards healing and hope.