superheronamesforspoonies - Tumblr blog

[superheronamesforspoonies]

hey i was hoping you could signal boost this for me, i started a chronic pain/chronic illness support group on Facebook called "chronicpain09 support". I hope you and your followers come join :)

Of course! I’ll send a join request myself too. I can always use more community support :)

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Mental Illness in Fiction: You’re Getting it Wrong! Eight Urgent Facts You Need to Know About Mental Illness Before You Begin Writing About It

Originally posted by theunknowngirlsworld

In the last decade, mental illness has become a growing topic of exploration and study. Most times, most aspiring writers even professionals write mental illness with personal prejudices and a lack of education. They fill viewers with inaccurate portrayals and a romanticization of an extremely misunderstood condition, even by science. Often writers and the audience make the grave mistake in thinking a depressed person can’t possibly laugh or have fun, and if they do, they are truly not depressed. Below, we dispel unhealthy myths like the latter and give you a list of advice and pointers from a published author and psychiatric clinical nurse on how to educationally write the topic of mental illness into fiction. 

Keep reading

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from the amazing Tina Evans

[picture of a Siamese cat’s head against a triangle-sectioned background with many shades of blue. Top line of text reads: “Have you || Bottom line of text reads: tried juicing?”]

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Employment discrimination against people with disabilities is real

A study by researchers at Rutgers University and Syracuse University has concluded that people with at least one disability are more likely to face employment discrimination than those without. Researchers sent out near-identical job applications, but revealed in one that the candidate had disabilities that wouldn’t affect job performance. Candidates with a disability were 26% less likely to be considered — and it got even worse for workers with disability who had more job experience.

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I’ve never experienced any degree of mutism/being nonverbal, but I was wondering if anybody who does would be willing to describe it to me?  I’m planning something in a story where a verbal character will probably be unable to speak for an extended period of time, but I don’t want to try describing that sensation without any kind of familiarity with said sensation.

You can either reblog on this post or hop into my ask box.

Thanks!

[superheronamesforspoonies]

A friend of mine posted this. Reblog to save a life!

[superheronamesforspoonies]

41 Awesome Mental Health Resources When You Can’t Afford A Therapist

Note: Resources are listed alphabetically by type.

Mental Health Apps

1. ACT Coach

ACT Coach teaches users how to tolerate negative thoughts and feelings by virtually guiding them through awareness exercises and giving tips on how to ditch self-doubt. With an extra focus on mindfulness, this app also provides a log to track your progress. (Free; iOS)

2. AETAS

Designed by therapist Rosemary Sword, this app uses Time Perspective Therapy, a method developed to unglue us from unhelpful or obsessive thoughts.

Chockfull of visual aids to encourage relaxation and self-soothing, AETAS also arms users with a time perspective inventory that helps them understand how they view the past, present and future will either help or hinder their happiness. ($4.99; iOS)

3. Breathe2Relax

Sometimes, all we need to de-stress is take a few deep breaths.

Created by the National Center for Telehealth and Technology, this app teaches users how to do diaphragmatic breathing. Features include educational videos on the stress response, logs to record stress levels and customizable guided breathing sessions. (Free; iOS and Android)

4. DBT Diary Card and Skills Coach

This app works as a daily mood and thought diary. But it also has a coaching module that gives tips on sticky emotional situations, like how to ask for what you need without drama or how to successfully resolve conflict.

And users get positive reinforcement when they’re consistent with their entries. The app also includes a super helpful DBT reference section for more info on coping skills — all backed by research. ($4.99; iOS)

5. Depression CBT Self-Help Guide

Need help managing the blues? Monitor dips in your mood, learn about clinical depression and treatments, try guided relaxation techniques and learn strategies to challenge negative thinking with this app. It’s all just a few taps and swipes away. (Free; Android)

6. eCBT calm

Implementing some of the many strategies of cognitive behavioral therapy, this app helps users assess their stress levels, practice mindfulness and relaxation skills, and connect their thoughts to feelings and behaviors.

The end result is more calm in your everyday life and more awareness of your actions and emotions. ($0.99; iOS)

7. Happify

Want to kick negative thoughts, nix worry and dial down stress? The array of engaging games, activity suggestions and gratitude prompts makes Happify a useful shortcut to a good mood.

Designed with input from 18 health and happiness experts, Happify’s positive mood-training program is psychologist approved. Even cooler? Its website links to bonus videos that are sure to make you smile. (Free; iOS)

8. How Are You

Tracking your moods can help you fight the blues and teach you to tune into positive things. That’s the premise behind this app.

But, as a bonus, it also allows you to compare your mood with worldwide averages, see which emotions you feel the most and export your mood tracking data so you can share it with a mental health professional or trusted friend. ($9.99-$12.99; iOS and Android)

9. MindShift

This straightforward stress management tool helps users re-think what’s stressing them out through a variety of on-screen prompts.

At the same time, the app encourages new ways to take charge of anxiety and tune into body signals. (Free; iOS and Android)

10. Operation Reach Out

This mood tracker and resource locator was designed by Emory University researchers to aid in suicide prevention.

The setup is simple: Users create a personal profile that includes emergency contact information, current medications, safety plans and reminders for appointments or medications.

Plus, the app uses GPS to locate mental health care services nearby, should any user enter crisis mode. (Free; iOS and Android)

11. PTSD Coach

If you suffer from PTSD symptoms, this 24-hour tool that’s linked directly with support services is a valuable thing to download.

Available as an app or on the Web, PTSD Coach lets users select the specific issue they want to deal with (from anxiety and anger to insomnia and alienation), and then gives them guidance on how to lift their mood, shift their mindset and reduce stress. (Free; iOS and Android)

12. Quit It

If you’re a smoker, you probably already know all about the nasty health consequences. But that probably doesn’t stop you from lighting up.

This app’s approach is different. It shows you the hit your wallet takes every time you get another pack. Even better: Quit It calculates how much money you save each time you don’t smoke.

Think of it as extra financial incentive to kick nicotine and tobacco (and save for something far better!). ($1.99; iOS)

13. Quit Pro

Think of this as a fitness tracker for your smoking habit. By monitoring your cravings over time, the places you puff the most, the triggers that lead you to light up and the money you save by resisting a cigarette, this comprehensive app is a much better thing to have in your back pocket than a pack of smokes. (Free; iOS and Android)

14. SAM

How do you know what’s pushing you over the edge and reel yourself back in? SAM’s approach is to monitor anxious thoughts, track behavior over time and use guided self-help exercises to discourage stress.

SAM takes it to the next level by offering a “Social Cloud” feature that allows users to confidentially share their progress with an online community for added support. (Free; iOS and Android)

15. Step Away

A study funded by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found this pro-sobriety app helped reduce heavy drinking among users by 60 percent.

Step Away offers tips on maintaining sobriety, encouragement and strategies to avoid drinking during stressful times. You’ll also be able to plug in your top drinking triggers to prepare yourself before facing down any tricky situation. (Free; iOS)

16. Stop, Breathe, Think!

Got five minutes? That’s enough time to cultivate mindfulness, which can improve your mood, lower stress and help you feel more compassion toward yourself and the world.

Skeptical? Well, consider that mindfulness and happiness tend to go hand-in-hand. And as added incentive, this app can also improve your focus. (Free; iOS and Android)

17. Stop Drinking

Relying on the powers of relaxation, visualization and positive suggestions, this pro-sobriety app has the goal of calming your mind and getting it to a less stressed place — where you’ll be less likely to crave a drink.

Take advantage of the reminder feature that gives periodic chimes to prompt you to breathe and focus on the good throughout the day. ($2.99; iOS and Android)

18. Stress and Anxiety Companion

Sure, we know that releasing negative thoughts, practicing relaxation techniques and engaging in mindful awareness is good for our wellbeing. But that doesn’t mean we actually do it.

This app can help make the process a lot easier by guiding you through proven techniques to reduce those off-kilter thoughts and emotions while cultivating a much more present mindset.

Additional features allow you to identify anxiety triggers to make sure they don’t catch you off-guard. ($4.99; iOS)

19. Talkspace

Bet you didn’t think you could chat with a therapist for just $25 a week. Well, Talkspace makes that possible.

For that low fee, you can text message with a trained professional every day of the week, as many times as you want. They also offer services for individuals and couples. Oh, and the best part? You can do it from your couch. ($25/month; iOS and Android)

20. Worry Watch

We all get anxious only to realize later our anxieties were overblown or irrational. The idea behind Worry Watch is to nip these moments in the bud.

This app enables users to track what kickstarts their anxiety, note trends in their feelings, observe when the outcomes were harmless and keep tabs on insights to stop future freakouts.

To lower your anxiety even further, Worry Watch is password protected, so whatever you divulge in the diary feature is safe and sound. ($1.99; iOS)

Websites, Online Support and Forums

21. Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation

People with Body Dysmorphic Disorder have a damaging preoccupation with their appearance and an obsessive focus on their physical flaws. If that sounds familiar, you might find some relief on the BDD Foundation’s website.

Resources for better understanding the problem, seeking treatment and spreading the word about the disorder are all laid out here.

22. Center for Complicated Grief

Hosted by the Center for Complicated Grief, this long list of resources gives people a ton of alternative outlets, social support groups and organizations to connect with when healing from the loss of a loved one.

23. CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers

Founded in 1994 as an alliance to promote and maintain LGBTQ community centers, CenterLink’s helpful services have now moved online.

Check out all they have to offer — from links to health centers across the US to advocacy groups and educational services.

24. GLBT National Help Center

A great resource for folks identifying all across the LGBTQ spectrum, this site includes information on everything from support to education to community organizing.

One of the center’s best resources is its online volunteer-run chat room. All chats are confidential (read: no transcripts or recordings are saved). Chats are open 1 pm to 9 pm PST during the week and between 9 am and 2 pm PST on weekends.

25. Healing From BPD

For anyone with borderline personality disorder, this peer-run chat is the perfect online space to ask questions about BPD and its treatment, especially considering that mental health professionals often chime in.

It’s also a place to share experiences, discuss progress and challenges, and potentially make some new friends who get where you’re coming from because they’re right there with you.

26. IMAlive

If you’re in a place where picking up the phone seems too daunting, you can still access support through IMAlive’s virtual crisis chat.

Staffed by a network of trained and supervised peer volunteers around the country, IMAlive’s goal is to empower individuals in despair, address their situations and help them navigate the darkest and most difficult emotional times.

27. International OCD Foundation

An invaluable space for those struggling with obsessive compulsive disorder, this site has many links, resources and opportunities to get involved in the ongoing fight to preserve mental health.

Find help, learn more about the illness and even apply for grants here.

28. MentalHealth.gov

The main goal of this government-sponsored resource is to educate as many people as possible about the realities of mental illness in America while offering resources to those seeking help.

Consider this your go-to site for a rundown on what mental health disorders look like. It also includes information on how to get help, support someone you love, or start a dialog about mental health in your community.

29. National Alliance on Mental Illness

From education about mental illness to updates on insurance coverage, NAMI offers a slew of resources. People who want to get informed about the workings of the mind and our government’s recognition of mood and behavioral disorders will get the full scoop here.

But arguably the most helpful resource is the heart-wrenching and hopeful personal stories from individuals across the country sharing their accounts of living with mental illness.

30. National Center for Victims of Crime

This impeccable resource enables victims of all types of crimes (think: bullying, physical abuse, stalking and even terrorism) to secure the specific type of help they need.

Individuals in need can plug in their desired assistance, from case advocacy to counseling, along with their state and county for immediate, local help ASAP.

31. National Eating Disorder Association of America

A pioneer in the education and treatment for eating disorders, NEDA extends a wide range of support services, learning tools and opportunities to advocate on behalf of those with an eating disorder.

You can also get involved with the association’s sister program, Proud2BMe, and join a community geared toward promoting a healthier relationship with food and weight.

32. National Institute of Mental Health

One of the most comprehensive and trusted sources for information about mental illness, the National Institute of Mental Health’s site is packed with educational tools designed to promote awareness and provide funding for research.

It serves as a hub on a variety of topics: the latest news on a range of disorders, updates on new treatments and reports on insurance coverage. And, yes, you can also search for support via NIMH’s site as well.

33. OK2Talk

Designed for teens and young adults with mental illness, this site offers an online outlet for people to come forward with their own stories, find support and discuss the diagnoses they may have received.

OK2Talk comes with plenty of motivational posts and mantras as well. One quick look at the site will tip you off that, whatever you’re struggling with, you’re most certainly not alone.

34. Stalking Resource Center

You probably already know stalking is an extremely serious issue. But you may not know what type of help to seek if you or someone you know is a victim. Here’s where the Stalking Resource Center can help.

They present a number of options for anyone struggling with endless unwanted attention or obsessive behavior. From a brochure explaining what stalking is (and how to tell if you’re being followed) to tips on developing a safety plan, this site should be the first stop for anyone in need of assistance.

35. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

This government-sponsored resource is chockfull of data, research insights, grants and educational tools about substance dependencies and mood or behavioral issues. SAMHSA also offers many resources for people suffering from these issues.

36. Trevor Space

Are you a young person seeking support for an identity that falls along the LGBTQ spectrum? This site, an endeavor sponsored by the Trevor Project, is an excellent safe haven to connect to other young gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans* or queer people.

You’ll also pick up news about LGBTQ issues and get tips for joining in the community, wherever you live.

Hotlines and Call Centers

37. Borderline Personality Disorder Resource Center: 1-888-694-2273

If you’ve been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder — or you have a hunch you or a loved one may be displaying symptoms of BPD — the social workers staffing the Borderline Personality Disorder Resource Center’s hotline can arm you with all the information you need about local resources and provide immediate over-the-phone counseling.

38. National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

With the primary aim of keeping you going even in the darkest of times, this suicide prevention hotline is available 24/7 to offer a compassionate ear — no matter what you’re dealing with.

Pour your heart out to a skilled staffer without fear of being judged, and if you’d like referrals to local mental health care services after your call, hotline representatives can set you up.

39. Disaster Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990

If you’ve recently been the victim of a disaster (whether caused by nature or man), this is your go-to contact for all things related to counseling and relief. The trained counselors staffing the Disaster Distress Hotline provide help to those suffering in the wake of hurricanes, floods, wildfires, droughts and earthquakes as well as incidences of mass violence or health epidemics (like the Ebola crisis).

The call center is also open to friends and family members of victims. An alternative way to connect is to text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.

40. GLBT National Help Line: 1-888-843-4564

Need to talk to someone who gets it when it comes to coming out, being bullied for your sexual orientation, or navigating same-sex relationships? Look no further than the GLBT National Help Line, run by peers and allies of the LGBTQ community.

This hotline is ready to hear your concerns and can connect you to the GLBT National Help Center’s massive list of resources for LGBTQ-friendly services and organizations near you.

41. GLBT National Help Center for Youth: 1-800-246-7743

If you’re under 21 and looking to speak with a peer counselor who really understands issues related to gender or sexual identity, this is the number to call. Similar to the national help line, this version for youth lets young LGBTQ-identified individuals dial in to talk about hardships faced in their day-to-day lives.

Callers can also access a ton of resources to help bolster them well into their 20s and beyond.

[superheronamesforspoonies]

Calling all Autistics!

Hello friends! I am in the college of engineering at my university and am starting my introductory project! I plan to make a specifically designed comfort/stim toy to teach autistic children that it’s okay to stim and it’s okay to be overwhelmed and need a place to turn. That’s where I need the help of tumblr’s autistic community! I know what my stims are, but there’s such a wide range, I want to make this toy as universal as possible! If you can, please reblog or tag this or inbox me with your favorite childhood or current stims or any recommendations you have for what would make this a great toy! I will be working on this over the next month, so I need thoughts fast! Signal boost if you can! Thank you all so much!

[superheronamesforspoonies]

Researcher looking to hear from autistic voices:

Hello, My name is Laura Lewis and I am a nurse and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Vermont.  I am looking for individuals who may be willing to participate in a research study about barriers to being formally diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as an adult. The study is entitled, “Barriers to formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in adults.” I am looking for individuals who have been self-diagnosed or formally diagnosed with an ASD when you were 18 years old or older. Participation is entirely online and includes completing a survey about the types of barriers you faced in getting or formal diagnosis if you are diagnosed, or the reasons that you are not formally diagnosed if you are self-diagnosed. It will likely take about 30 minutes to complete. You must be 18 years or older to participate.

To find out more about this study or to participate, please see the study website: https://survey.uvm.edu/index.php/926548/lang-en.

[superheronamesforspoonies]

white chronically ill folk

i cannot tell you how many times, that people dont think i am chronically ill. because i’m brown. even on tumblr, the amount of people who immediately assume i am not chronically ill because i talk ab racism at the same time.

when i talk ab racism and racism with white spoonies, you all white ppl default to assuming i am not a spoonie myself. that is just. racism like you wouldn’t even know.

if you knew the racism that doctors perpertuate against chronically ill people of colour you would shut the hell up.assuming a nonwhite person talking ab racism with white spoonies to not be chronically ill is a form of racist medical violence

.you’re not better than the doctors who laugh at us and say we’re just lazy or that we try to milk the medical system like fuck all of you.i see to many of you like this and none of you hold yourselves accountable

[superheronamesforspoonies]

waiting for pain meds to kick in..

at first

but then

[superheronamesforspoonies]

Spoonie problems—

I need pressure but hate being touched

I need a blanket but am sweating

I need 5 blankets because I’m freezing

I am starving but can’t eat

I need to be distracted from my pain but noise and lights hurt

I feel so lonely but am too exhausted to converse

I want to be normal, but I can’t do anything normally.

[superheronamesforspoonies]

Me and @crashthefandoms are twinsies!! We both wrote about being deaf in our school paper! Im really proud of it so if you have time give it a read!! @rikkipoynter @deaflepuff @thatdeafblackguy @deafine @deaf-and-dorky @deafdiaries @thatdeaffeel

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credit

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One of the things that frustrates me most about the “good disabled person” narrative you hear from “allies” is that they are missing one of the things that is most useful to allies. Let me explain:

An ally’s job is to learn from an oppressed person. They’re job is to sit down, shut up, and listen. First off, allies telling disabled people to be nice have failed step one. They are telling us what to think, what to feel, what to say. Congrats on the gaslighting, you filthy hypocrites!

This is all super obvious (though somehow not to the assholes I’m talking about) and it has been talked about before, at length. What I am talking about is how useful the anger of the oppressed is as a teaching tool for allies. You’re not going to actually learn anything from us by listening to us when we’re being good little disabled people. No, you can reblog us and get your feel good ally cookies and go on with your day.

When we are being angry we are telling you exactly what the problem is! We are telling you how it makes us feel. We are screaming about the ways that the world is hurting and killing us. We are opening ourselves up, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable. We are not doing this for you. We are doing this for catharsis, and to find support in each other. All the same, you can see very clearly just how wounded we are.

I think that’s the problem. There is nothing feel good about witnessing our pain in its rawest form. It’s not something you can witness and then passively reblog. Seeing that kind of pain requires action and a lot of self examination on the parts of those with privilege. It’s uncomfortable as hell. Tough cookies! Get over yourself and do something.

Being an ally isn’t supposed to be easy. It’s not for making you feel like a good person. It’s not for giving you a sense of accomplishment or whatever it is you think you are getting out of this. It’s not for you! You are not doing this for you!

Fuck your ally cookies! This isn’t a fucking bake sale.

[superheronamesforspoonies]

Ryer and I do EXACTLY the same thing when someone wakes us up.

[superheronamesforspoonies]

[word cloud saying: microaggressions macroaggressions special special~needs short~bus stupid crazy psycho OCD incompetent are~you~deaf capable amazing super~hero perseverate quiet~hands spaz spastic slow~learner out~of~control inspiring what~happened~to~you what’s~wrong~with~her when~are~you~getting~better wheelchair~bound confined~to~a~wheelchair I~don’t~think~of~you~as~disabled but~you~look~so~good you~don’t~look~disabled what’s~wrong~with~her non~compliant dependent splinter~skills handicapped inspiring hope cure inaccessible you~are~inspiring you~are~amazing you~are~capable grandfathered~in How~fast~does~that~thing~go Want~to~race? Can~I~hitch~a~ride Do~you~have~a~license~to~drive~that~thing handicapable low~functioning high~functioning]