stigma
People with mental illness represent one of the most deeply stigmatized groups in our culture. Learn more about it here.
I Was the Strong One Until It Broke Me
Introduction People often admire the strong one in the room—the person who always has answers, who never seems shaken, who offers comfort when everyone else is falling apart. I was that person. I wore strength like armor, smiling when I was tired, listening when I needed to be heard, giving when I had nothing left.
By Nadeem Shah 5 months ago in Psyche
I Was the Strong One Until It Broke Me
For as long as I can remember, people have seen me as “the strong one.” The dependable friend. The sibling who always listens. The co-worker who steps up when things fall apart. I carried that title like a badge of honor, proud that others trusted me, proud that I could be the one who held everyone together.
By Nadeem Shah 5 months ago in Psyche
Chains of the Brothel: Part 7 Silent Walls
The Prison Disguised as a Home The place where Anita now lived was not a home. It was a forgotten prison pretending to be a sanctuary. The villagers called it the Old House, but its name was a cruel lie. It wasn’t a shelter for the elderly or a place of care. It was where society abandoned those it no longer wished to see—the “incurable,” the “dangerous,” the “inconvenient.”
By Shehzad Anjum5 months ago in Psyche
Practical Takeaways: Helping Teens Build Resilience During War
Why Practical Tools Matter Theories and statistics provide understanding, but the true value of research lies in how it can be applied in everyday life. When we talk about resilience, it is not an abstract concept but a set of concrete strategies that help adolescents cope with academic pressure, family conflict, war, or even simple misunderstandings with peers.
By Daria Barabash5 months ago in Psyche
Become Radically Divergent
(Originally posted in https://yushanchen.substack.com/p/becoming-radically-divergent) Chaotic, forgetful, overthinking, reckless, emotionally explosive – these are just some things that I described myself (and how my parents saw me) back in the day.
By Yu-Shan Chen5 months ago in Psyche
Attachment Styles and Coping: Insights from Ukrainian Adolescent Research (2024)
Why This Research Matters Attachment theory and resilience are well-known concepts in psychology. Yet when it comes to Ukrainian adolescents - especially in the context of war and displacement - empirical data is still scarce. My 2024 research project revealed a crucial nuance: attachment styles do not directly determine resilience levels, but they strongly shape the coping strategies adolescents use under stress.
By Daria Barabash5 months ago in Psyche
Addicted by Design
Every day, millions of us tap open our favorite apps—liking photos, scrolling through memes, sharing stories. It feels harmless, even fun. But behind the endless feeds and filters lies a hidden truth: these platforms aren’t designed to empower us. They’re designed to control us.
By Shehzad Anjum5 months ago in Psyche
The Weight of Exams
In the quiet valleys of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where poverty is heavy but hope still lingers, lived two brothers — Nabil and Sami. They were not just siblings; they were each other’s shadow, carrying the same dreams, the same burdens, and eventually, the same fate.
By Shehzad Anjum5 months ago in Psyche
Going No Contact: Why I 'Divorced' My Narcissistic Mother
I Finally Divorced My Mother This was not an act of anger. It was the final, radical act of my own preservation. To "divorce" your mother is a jarring concept. It feels like a violation of the sacred bond we’re told should be unbreakable. For years, I believed that, too. I spent decades trying to renovate a relationship that was built on a fault line, hoping that if I just found the right words or the right therapist, the foundation would finally be safe.
By Sunshine Firecracker5 months ago in Psyche
