EMDR therapy By Cassie (Cassado) EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitizing Reprocessing therapy, was invented in the 1990s by Dr. Francine Shapiro after she realized side to side eye movements helped reduce the intensity of unpleasant events. It is most commonly used for (C)PTSD, addictions, and other anxieties. It is not widely known but it is increasing in popularity. During EMDR, a professional will ask you to focus on a painful or traumatic memory while you move your eyes from side...

The basics of going gluten free By Nicole (eumoirous) The Celiac Disease Foundation notes that only about 1% of people have celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disease that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is consumed. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Because of this, people with celiac disease abstain from consuming gluten in order to stay healthy. The Celiac Disease Foundation also notes that roughly 18 million Americans have some form of a gluten...

How to make a rice sock/sack By Chantal (Atropos) We can be green and friendly to the earth by reusing items we already have and turning them into something useful for ourselves. This craft will keep you occupied and allow you to recycle items you already have to make something that can have a variety of health benefits for yourself or others. What is a rice sock or sack? There are many benefits to making a rice sock or sack. Reusing items from your home is one of the many great...

CPTSD and PTSD By Cassie (Cassado) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition that develops from witnessing or experiencing a dangerous or life threatening event. PTSD can occur quickly after an event, or it can take a few months to appear but it almost always develops six months after the traumatizing event. It can be caused by abuse, car accidents, natural disasters, military duties, sudden loss and grieving, or anything that can be traumatic to someone. A lot...

How to make a stress ball By Cassie (Cassado) Stress balls are a great tool to fidget with when you feel anxious or overwhelmed. They can be used when you're studying for exams or trying to keep your hands busy to prevent self-destructive behaviors. With just a few household objects, you can make your own. Materials needed: Balloons (water balloons are not suitable) Flour or uncooked rice A funnel

Brought up by alcohol By Anonymous Since about the age of eight years old I have watched my dad drink. He would have a can of beer whilst playing a game with us while my mum cooked dinner, and that would be the norm for a Sunday night. It never really bothered me that much when I was younger as alcohol has always been in this house and always will be. During the day he is sober, holding down a job from nine to six in an office. He's not the stereotypical ...

What to do if you become pregnant By Nicole (eumoirous) Discovering that you are pregnant can be a very scary and overwhelming experience. Many questions may arise and it can be difficult to know which ones to deal with right away. Who do you tell first? What are your options? What will your parents think? The best thing to do is break this up into steps and tackle one thing at a time. Most importantly, remember that no matter what you decide, there are always avenues of support and you...

Canadian Syrian Refugee Plan By Chantal (Atropos) Canada's Liberal Government launched a Syrian refugee plan to bring in 25,000 (twenty-five thousand) Syrian refugees in November 2015 and reached the total goal of 25,000 on February 27th 2016 in Montreal, Quebec. Canadian's welcome 25,000 (twenty-five thousand) Syrian refugees who are fleeing from a civil war, and have lost everything. It is announced that the Liberal Government will be opening its doors to 280,000...

Irish potato candy By Cassie (Cassado) Irish potato candy began as a way to help people remember and honor the Irish potato famine (1845-1852). It is estimated that one million people lost their lives during the famine due to starvation or other diseases. There is no documented history on Irish potato candy, but it is said that any information has been spread through word of mouth for generations. It is thought that Irish immigrants on the east coast of the United States began making them...

What is the age of consent, and what does it mean for you and your partner? By Bex (Eclectic.) Defining the Age of Consent The age of consent is defined as the age at which a person's consent to sexual intercourse is valid in the eyes of the law. This separates them from being a minor because they are now officially an adult who can consent to sex in his or her own right. When an adult has sex with a minor—even if the minor has consented to having sex—it is called statutory...

Narcissistic abuse By Cassie (Cassado) Narcissistic abuse is most commonly a type of emotional abuse. However, narcissists can also use physical and sexual abuse to manipulate their victims. Emotional abuse is characterized as behaviors that can create an emotional trauma for the victims. Narcissistic abuse is when a person with Narcissistic Personality Disorder harms other people with their severe narcissistic traits. This article is going to explain the two main types of narcissists...

Enjoying Valentine's Day when you're single By Cassie (Cassado) and Haley (Halcyon) Valentine's Day is a highly anticipated day for some, but the complete opposite for others. Many single people struggle with conflicting feelings on Valentine's Day, but they are not alone in their struggles. Luckily, there are many things you can do to help combat the negative feelings you experience around Valentine's Day. Create a plan for the day. Time flies if you're having fun, and ...

Valentine's Day gift ideas By Cassie (Cassado) and Nicole (eumoirous) Valentine's Day is about showing your love for the important people in your life. While love is shown all year around, Valentine's Day is a day dedicated to spending time with your friends, family, or partner. You don't have to be in a relationship to join the fun and celebrate! It can be hard to choose what you want to give as gifts sometimes. Here are some crafty do-it-yourself gift ideas. List the reasons...

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) By Chantal (Atropos) My personal experience with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, commonly known as IBS, has been a very difficult learning process. When you are diagnosed by the specializing doctor (a gastroenterologist) a lot of questions are asked and answered. Some struggles most find when learning that they have IBS include diet, exercise, and therapy. People newly diagnosed with IBS might feel anger, fear, hopelessness, and confusion. What is...

How to insert tampons By Cassie (Cassado) Tampons can be described as cotton plugs that are inserted into the vagina to absorb menstrual flow before it leaves the body. Learning how to use tampons can be a stressful experience. There are so many different brands and levels of absorbency to choose from, and putting them in can seem daunting. Choosing tampons There are a lot of brands to choose from, and different colors stand for different things. Generally, purple tampons...