treatments
The past, present and future of psychiatric diagnosis and beliefs about treatment in every culture and pocket of society.
The Year She Forgot How to Be Around People
Emma had been alone for 347 days when she realized she'd forgotten how to have a conversation. It wasn't intentional isolation. It started with the pandemic—everyone retreated into their separate spaces, and Emma's one-bedroom apartment became the entire universe. Then her remote job eliminated the casual water cooler chats. Her best friend moved across the country. Her weekly book club dissolved. One by one, the threads connecting her to other humans frayed and snapped. And Emma told herself she was fine. She had video calls sometimes. She texted people. She scrolled through social media seeing everyone else's lives. She wasn't truly alone. But when her neighbor knocked on her door to ask about a package delivery, Emma opened her mouth to respond and the words came out wrong. Stilted. Like she'd forgotten the rhythm of human speech. "I... yes. The package. It's... I haven't..." She couldn't form a complete sentence. Her neighbor looked at her with concern, and Emma felt a wave of panic. What was happening to her? After he left, Emma sat on her couch and tried to remember the last real conversation she'd had. Not a transactional exchange with a delivery person or a scripted work call, but an actual spontaneous human interaction. She couldn't remember. And when she tried to imagine having one now, her brain short-circuited. The social scripts she'd once known automatically—how to read facial expressions, when to laugh, how to know when it was her turn to talk—felt like a foreign language she'd once been fluent in but had somehow forgotten. Emma wasn't just lonely anymore. Loneliness had physically changed her brain. And she had no idea how to change it back.
By Ameer Moavia2 months ago in Psyche
When Silence Hurts More Than Words
Mia grew up in a quiet house. Her parents never screamed. Never threw things. Never called each other names or slammed doors. To anyone looking from the outside, they were the picture of civility—calm, controlled, perfectly composed.
By Ameer Moavia2 months ago in Psyche
Why Some People Apologize Even When They’re Not Wrong
Emma said "sorry" seventeen times before noon. Sorry for asking a question in the meeting. Sorry for walking through a door someone was holding. Sorry for her email being too long. Sorry for her email being too short. Sorry for needing to use the bathroom during a Zoom call. Sorry for existing in spaces that other people also existed in.
By Ameer Moavia2 months ago in Psyche
Why Your Body Begins to Shake During an Argument (And Exactly What It Means)
Have you noticed yourself shaking your hands during a fight or your voice quivering as you speak during a disagreement? It could be your whole body that feels as though it can’t stabilize as you disagree with someone over a certain issue or topic. Of course, this could make a person feel embarrassed or terrified when it happens – especially when the person affected has no idea what could be causing this issue. People would think it means the person is weak; this isn’t the truth at all.
By iftikhar Ahmad3 months ago in Psyche
Watch Out Wednesdays - Christmas Eve Edition. Content Warning.
Merry Christmas to everyone! Let's look at some things to watch out for today on Christmas Eve. 1. Be observant. Today, some people are rushing around to grab last-day gifts before Christmas. Get a kick out of the ones that are running around frantically in a store. These people are procrastinators. Take the time to observe what you are doing so that you will not become a procrastinator like the rest of the mediocre masses that surround you on a daily basis.
By Adrian Holman3 months ago in Psyche
Adenovirus on the Rise: What You Need to Know About the Silent Virus Spreading Fast
Why Doctors Are Warning About Adenovirus Infections Adenovirus is not a new virus, but lately it has been gaining renewed attention from doctors, parents, and public health experts. Reports of rising adenovirus infections—especially among children—have raised concerns worldwide. While many people think of it as just another cold virus, adenovirus can sometimes cause serious illness if ignored.
By Waqar Khan3 months ago in Psyche
