It's been a rough summer for me, anxiety-wise. The news is full of terrible stories from the current president's administration in the United States, and it's coming so fast the scandals just bleed together. Saying the President or his Cabinet has done something awful that threatens the fabric of democracy is like saying water is … Continue reading (Personal) Tharn
Tag: mental-health
(Mental Health) How to Help Others
When I look back on the person I was in college -- during the worst period of my depression -- I am honestly amazed that I still have so many friends who knew me back then. I spent most of my time in the computer lab talking to folks online, and barely had enough energy … Continue reading (Mental Health) How to Help Others
(Mental Health) My Executive Function
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a bit of a misnomer; I think the name is a big reason why ADHD is so poorly understood and controversial as a mental illness. Those of us with the disorder aren't necessarily hyperactive, and it isn't always characterized by a deficit in attention. We aren't bouncing off the walls … Continue reading (Mental Health) My Executive Function
(Mental Health) My Anxiety
When I was a little kid our family had an ancient brown Chrysler my mom called "Nellie". I wasn't sure if it was actually brown, or if the car was covered in that much rust, but Nellie was a formidable vehicle, a 20-foot land yacht with leather seats that gave you frostbite in the winter … Continue reading (Mental Health) My Anxiety
(Mental Health) My Depression
Back when I was 14 or 15, my sister ran away from home for a month and it straight-up wrecked me. We had no idea where she was or if I would ever see her again, and it was the first time we had been apart for that length of time. Growing up, we were … Continue reading (Mental Health) My Depression
(Buddhism) We’re All Mad Here
I've been thinking a lot about anger over the past month and a half. Ever since Michael Brown was killed by a police officer in Ferguson, MO way back in 2014 I've been increasingly political with my online presence -- and the candidacy and ultimate inauguration of Donald Trump has pushed that side of my … Continue reading (Buddhism) We’re All Mad Here
(Fandom) My Mental Health Game Plan for FC 2017
Further Confusion 2017 begins tomorrow! I'll likely be in downtown San Jose Thursday evening registering at con because I completely spaced on pre-registering like some kind of silly guy -- hopefully the wait won't be too terribly long! If you see me staring at my phone and playing Marvel Puzzle Quest, feel free to pull … Continue reading (Fandom) My Mental Health Game Plan for FC 2017
(Personal) Cracking Myself Open
One of the earliest memories I have about my mental illness is breaking down in the middle of lunch in sixth or seventh grade. Things were not going well for me. I was a shy and awkward kid who loved reading fantasy books. I was really sensitive, so I didn't hold up to bullying very … Continue reading (Personal) Cracking Myself Open
(Mental Health) When Depression Strikes You
Chronic depression is one of those things that can be very difficult to deal with, mostly because those of us who suffer from it exist in two states. When things are fine, we might think that we've rounded the bend and things will never be as bad as our last valley again. And then, when … Continue reading (Mental Health) When Depression Strikes You
(Mental Health) When Depression Strikes a Friend
Last Monday, I posted a quick primer on what happens physically and chemically to the brain when depression strikes. On Wednesday, I talked a little bit about what that feels like for me. I wanted to state (again) that depression and other mental illnesses are incredibly varied and complex; there's not a single cause or … Continue reading (Mental Health) When Depression Strikes a Friend
From the Desk of Jakebe T. Rabbit 