Mental Health Does Not Discriminate
Mental health does not discriminate. A lived-experience perspective on anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, stigma, and why careless media rhetoric harms vulnerable communities seeking support and hope.
Intrusive Thoughts, Superstitions
Intrusive thoughts can feel frightening and convincing, especially when linked to paranoia, ulterior motives, and superstitions like fear of the number 13. Learn what intrusive thoughts are, what triggers them, and how to overcome them using evidence-based approaches.
When Stigma Comes From Home: My Experience With Mental-Health Judgement
A first-person account of mental-health stigma within a traditional rural Polish family: why it’s hard to explain mental health to older generations, how judgement impacts wellbeing, and what the statistics say about stigma and discrimination in Poland.
Eating Disorders and Mental Health
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that involve a persistent disturbance in eating behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. They are often deeply intertwined with mental health issues and can significantly impact physical health, emotional well-being, and quality of life.
Understanding the Window of Tolerance in Mental Health
Intrusive thoughts and the window of tolerance are closely linked through the lens of stress and emotional regulation. When you are within your window of tolerance, intrusive thoughts are easier to manage and less likely to overwhelm you. Conversely, being outside this zone can amplify their intensity, making emotional regulation strategies essential.
Understanding Hidden Disabilities
Discover the importance of recognising hidden disabilities and supporting individuals with non-visible conditions. Learn how retailers, businesses, schools, and employers can promote inclusion through the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme, staff awareness, and everyday respect.
Understanding OCD: Breaking Down Misconceptions
People with OCD don’t “choose” their thoughts or compulsions. Telling someone to “just get over it” is dismissive, harmful, and perpetuates ableist attitudes. If someone has lived with OCD for decades and tried all known interventions, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), medication, counseling, and even alternative therapies such as hypnosis, it is unjust to boil their suffering down to a fad.
OCD and Addiction
Substance abuse is a broad term that includes the misuse of alcohol, drugs, and other substances. It is often the precursor to addiction, where the use becomes compulsive and uncontrollable. Recognizing the early signs of substance abuse and seeking help can prevent the progression to addiction and improve overall quality of life.
Understanding Invisible Disabilities & Ableist Attitudes
Invisible disabilities deserve recognition, understanding, and respect. Ableist attitudes rooted in ignorance and dismissiveness create barriers that can be just as disabling as the condition itself. Instead of questioning someone’s reality or minimising their struggles, we should listen, believe, and support. The lived experiences of those with invisible disabilities, like the editor who has battled OCD for decades, remind us that what cannot be seen can still have profound impact. True inclusivity means dismantling ableism and embracing empathy.
Can Forgetting Compulsions Help Heal OCD and Trauma?
Stress can play a major role in memory lapses, especially for people living with OCD and trauma. When the mind is overwhelmed by anxiety, daily pressures, or too many competing tasks, it can become harder to focus on intrusive thoughts or compulsions. Preoccupation with other responsibilities may naturally push the urge into the background, allowing it to fade over time. In this way, stress and distraction, although challenging, can sometimes disrupt the cycle of OCD by creating moments where the compulsion is forgotten.