Self Caring After Trauma
Self-care is a vital aspect of maintaining mental and physical well-being. It involves activities and practices that we engage in regularly to reduce stress, enhance our health, and restore our balance.
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.
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Universal Credit Reforms
Labour is facing the prospect of another mass rebellion from its own MPs as concerns mount over proposed reforms to the universal credit system. The focus of unease is on changes to the assessment process for disability benefits, particularly the health element of universal credit (UC).
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.
Facing Inner Demons: Why Trauma Survivors Turn to Drugs and Alcohol
Trauma leaves lasting wounds, but numbing pain with drugs and alcohol only deepens the suffering. Although self-medication may seem like an escape, it damages the body and creates new chains of dependency. The path to healing is not easy, but it is possible. With therapy, support, and healthier coping mechanisms, people can face their fears, overcome their inner demons, and take back control of their lives.
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.
Enforced Disappearances: The Hidden Mental Health Crisis
“Enforced disappearance is not only a serious crime under international law but also a mental health emergency. Victims and families face wounds that are invisible, prolonged, and often overlooked. As Professor Forrester and Dr Ahmed emphasise, there is a ‘dire need’ to recognise these harms and provide effective, compassionate, and culturally sensitive care.”
Never Take Your Parents for Granted, A Personal Story and a Reminder
Disclaimer: This article is written from personal experience and is intended for informational and awareness purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical, mental health, or professional advice. If …
Understanding Emotional Distress Tort
Through tort law, individuals and organisations, councils included, can be sued for damages provided there’s evidence of negligence or intentional wrongdoing. Compensation is available and varies depending on the severity of harm and supporting evidence.
Link Between Trauma, MS, Financial Stability & OCD
If only we could erase bad memories and achieve financial stability for the rest of our lives, our mental health would no doubt improve. A reflection on trauma, OCD, MS, and the importance of stability for wellbeing