Medication to treat mental health disorders By Dez ( *~Sparkly Queer~* ) Medications are commonly used in order to help treat and reduce the symptoms of many mental illnesses. While many people find it beneficial to use medication to treat their symptoms, it is important to make sure that going on medication is something that is right for you. There are many things to consider before starting a medication to treat your mental illness. Things to discuss with your prescriber ...

Staying cool during the summer By Shane (MyVisionIsDying) When people think of summer, they usually associate the season with sun, time off from work or school and heat. Sometimes the temperatures can reach record highs such as England reaching an astonishing 37°C (approximately 99°F) at London Heathrow Airport on Wednesday, July 1st, 2015. Dangerously high summer temperatures can cause heat related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Heat stroke happens when the body is...

Caitlyn Jenner's journey by Cassie (Calico.) and Dez (*~Sparkly Queer~* ) The term transgender refers to people whose gender identity is not equivalent to the biological sex they were assigned at birth. People often expect someone to conform to the societal norms of a male or female, when the person may feel differently inside. Children with gender dysphoria generally feel that they need to hide part of who they are because societal norms say that they must do male or female things, ...

Effective Goal-Setting By Jess (i_like_black) Goals are a good thing to have in life. Having something to work towards can help develop a sense of achievement and can also combat symptoms of mental illness. Being aware of a direction builds a sense of purpose, and it is well recognised that having a sense of purpose contributes to a person's longevity. Something that commonly trips people up with goals is that they know what they want to achieve but not how to achieve it. Having a vague...

How to perform a self breast exam By Cassie (Calico.) A breast self exam, or BSE, is an exam that people do regularly to look for any possible changes in their breasts. Mammograms are able to see tumors before they can be felt, but a self exam will allow you to understand the normal appearance and feeling of your breasts. This understanding will help you to determine whether or not there are any abnormalities in your breasts. According to John Hopkins Medical Center, 40% percent of women...

Feminism Basics By Oliver ( *~Shimmery Queer~* ) Feminism has become a trending topic, but many people still do not fully understand what the movement's aims and ideals are. Feminism began in Western culture in the late 19th century. While it has gained women more rights than they initially had, feminists still believe there is more work to be done in order to achieve equal rights. What is feminism? Feminism is defined as the movement for social, political, and economic equality of...

This article has been labeled as triggering, particularly on the subject of rape and abuse. The contents of this article might therefore not be suitable for certain sensitive users. Please take this into consideration before continuing to read. An inside look at PTSD By Anonymous Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. PTSD has several types of symptoms that include reliving,...

What is consent? By Cassie (Calico.) and Nicole (eumoirous) Consent is the voluntary agreement of all involved parties to engage in sexual activity. It should be assumed that one has not given consent unless there is a clear agreement prior to engaging in any sexual activity. It is preferred for consent to be a verbal agreement; however, it can be written as well. Consent should be clear at each stage of the activity, and the ability to say "no" should be respected by both ...

Being an alcoholic By Jessie (Palmolive) My Story Nothing could have prepared me for the world I was about to enter when I picked up my first bottle of vodka. I was about 17 and had suffered with mental health problems since I was 11. I struggled with depression and anxiety which turned into BPD, PTSD, depressive episodes, psychotic episodes, and eating disorders. They all added to my stress levels and I didn’t think I was going to become addicted to alcohol too. I had never drunk much...

Debunking the myths of alcoholism By Jenny (coolkid98) The myths and misconceptions about alcoholism can make it hard for those affected to reach out and get help due to fear of being judged. Some of these myths can also lead to alcoholics being in denial about their problem because they don't fit a stereotyped appearance of an alcoholic. Alcoholism, also know as alcohol dependency, describes an addiction to alcohol in order to cope with everyday life. Myth: Those who often get drunk are...

Worry stones By Cassie (Calico.) Worry stones are smooth stones that vary in size, shape, and color. Some have thumb indentations and are engraved with a single inspirational word, or a phrase. These stones are supposed to alleviate worry when held between your thumb and index fingers. Most worldwide cultures have something similar to alleviate worry, but it is thought that worry stones originated from Native American or Greek cultures. Native Americans had sacred stones that...

Creating a safe place By Sammi (Elixir.) What is a safe place? In a nutshell, a safe place is something you create to escape from the world for a time. While it may sound like a physical space, there are no limits to what your safe place can be. It's entirely possible to create a safe place that doesn't exist (or can't be visited) anywhere besides your mind. Your safe place is a place for you to relax, recenter, and rejuvenate. It allows for "me" time whenever you need it, whether it be to...

The common misconceptions of PTSD By Cassie (Calico.) Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD is a serious mental health condition that develops from experiencing or witnessing a horrific or life threatening event. PTSD develops from trauma, whereas other mental illnesses do not and that is what separates PTSD from other illnesses. It can affect anyone of any sex, race, age, or background. Like other illnesses, PTSD has a negative stigma that often prevents sufferers from getting...

Tips for a successful time in university By Dez ( *~Sparkly Queer~* ) When people go to university, they want to be successful. However, sometimes things such as procrastination, difficult class material, or making friends can be a problem for students. There are ways to combat these problems before they grow too large, and to aid a student in being successful in university. In this article, the term 'professor' will be used to refer to the person teaching the class, but other terms such...

Am I pregnant? By Nicole (eumoirous) Fearing that you may become pregnant is very common, especially when you first become sexually active. Most barriers or hormones to prevent pregnancy are up to 99% effective, which means that although the chances of becoming pregnant are extremely low, it is still possible. If you suspect that you might be having symptoms of pregnancy, the first thing you should do is to remain calm. Symptoms and signs Among the most common signs, the one that...