Virtually You: The Dangerous Powers of the E-Personality by Elias Aboujaoude, MD By Robin (PSY) There are many books that discuss the dangers of an "internet addiction," which can occur when people fall victim to obsessions over online video games, compulsive shopping, and pathological gambling, among other things. Society as a whole understands that spending too much time on the internet can have a variety of consequences, including loss of sleep or insomnia, increased distractibility or...

How to make lucky stars By Hollie (James Moriarty) Chances are many of you have tried out some form of origami in your lifetime, perhaps in school or on your own. This could be by creating something as simple as a chatterbox or, for some people, practicing a more advanced level of origami. Either way, this can be an extremely beneficial and fulfilling activity to take up. The problem for many people, however, is that many designs can look extremely complex, and for beginners, may often...

Asexuality: myths and misconceptions By Chess (Syzygy.) Although most people have heard the term 'asexual', there is some confusion surrounding what exactly this means. Some people, for example, regard asexuality as a choice much like abstinence. Others mistakenly believe that sexual and romantic attraction are one and the same, attributing asexuality to a lack of romantic attraction to other people. Many of these myths have developed as a result of a simple lack of awareness, and with...

Debunking myths of self harm By Jenny (coolkid98) This article describes elements of self harm that may be triggering for some members; therefore, it is encouraged to utilise the Alternatives to Self Harm thread before reading further. There are many myths about self harm and why people self harm. The majority of these views are false and lead to stereotypical views of self harm, which is why it is important to debunk these myths. Some of the myths prevent self harmers from telling...

The role of dogs in society By Chess (Syzygy.) Since their domestication, dogs have proven to be invaluable to human society, from hunting to guarding to providing companionship. They have definitely earned their name as 'man's best friend’, as they are great companions, and they can also be trained to assist people in many different ways. Although the concept of guide dogs is not new, there has been a recent branching out as people have come to understand more about how useful dogs can be....

Through distorted lenses By Casey (Casey.) Stereotypes. We all hold some form of them in our minds. Everyone stereotypes others, even those who claim they do not. Sometimes these stereotypes influence how we see the world and how we react to things that do not fit these stereotypes. Recently, in the news, there was a child whose parents refuse to tell anyone whether the child was a boy or a girl. They decided to let the child grow without being forced into the molds of gender roles and...

The Single Life, Part Two By Dave (dr2005) and Katrina Questions and Answers Thus far, we have conjoined our thoughts and views on each of the above issues presented. However, to give readers a more comprehensive look, we have chosen to answer each of the following questions separately. In doing this, readers are given a male perspective as well as a female perspective, each from different countries, backgrounds, and upbringings. Question #1: “I’ve been single forever. Where do I...

The Single Life, Part One By Dave (dr2005) and Katrina As one enters adolescence, the pressures of being in a relationship are intensified, perhaps by the social networking relationship statuses open for the public to see, or the tendency to feel as though all of one’s friends are in relationships. As we’ve all seen in the movies, teenaged relationships can grow into marriages of “high school sweethearts,” and others still can turn into long term relationships stretching into the twenties....

Is your relationship healthy? By Ada (you'rebeautiful) and Robin (PSY) There are many reasons for a person to seek out a romantic relationship. For the sake of both people involved, however, it is important to ensure that the relationship is a happy and healthy one. Many people fail to make a distinction between the two. For example, one can be happy with their relationship, but exhibit signs of co-dependence. Relationships can also be fun and passionate, but lack the necessary components...

The disaster in Japan By Casey (Casey.) On March 11th 2011 a massive earthquake struck Japan. The 8.9 magnitude was the largest earthquake to hit Japan in over 140 years. It caused multiple aftershocks and tsunami waves that struck several parts of Japan and the tsunami waves hit parts of Hawaii and other pacific islands too. The earthquake caused massive damage and the tsunami destroyed hundreds of homes, taking many lives with them. The disaster in Japan was escalated by unstable...