It’s not the easiest thing to diagnose.
Derealization Disorder can be described as:
There’s a whole bunch of psychotherapy jargon to describe why Derealization (and Depersonalisation) happens. Here’s a good way to think of it: It’s a self-defense mechanism created by the brain to detach you from certain situations. Usually, situations that are emotionally and/or physically stressful.
While Depersonalisation is greatly linked to Derealization, the two are completely separate entities and it’s important to distinguish the difference between the two. In simple terms:
- Depersonalization = A…
You have a skill. Use it.
I try to write every day. Even on the days when I’m not particularly “feeling it” I knuckle-down and clatter my fingertips to the keyboard until something of some description finally happens. But it’s not because it’s my job; It’s because there’s a part of me that feels like I have an obligation to do what I do.
If you can write (and by “write” I don’t just mean playing with the idea of writing. I mean having a skill for the game) then you should do it as much as humanly possible, in a whole host of ways. There…
Have you found your meaning?
Widely regarded as the greatest cinematic master of all time, Stanley Kubrick created an aura of mystery around his persona during his forty-year career.
Barry Lyndon, A Clockwork Orange, 2001: A Space Odyssey, the list of classics goes on.
As much of an intellectual as he was a visual artist, Kubrick was a famously deep thinker.
His observations went beyond film and ventured into the realms of philosophy, psychology, and the meaning of life itself.
I’ve never been an optimist and I’ve always struggled with finding a sense of meaning in my life — Why am I here? What’s the…
You are the master of your own fate
A lot of people think traits like good self-control run in families. I can’t say I share that idea.
Most of my close and extended family have either been hooked on alcohol or nicotine the majority of their lives.
Some of them even enjoy the occasional bout of heroin or violent outbursts, too. That’s a story for a whole other time.
I’m at the exact opposite end of the spectrum — No major vices, no crazy habits.
Did I have the opportunity to indulge in some of this behavior? Sure, plenty of times. But I chose not to.
In short…
Is penetration less important than we think?
When was the last time you had sex without actually having sex?
That question may sound a little confusing, but it’s true: Just because you haven’t penetrated your partner does not mean you’ve not had sex. Outercourse is being explored and enjoyed by couples from all over the world for a whole host of different reasons. And, yes, it’s more than just foreplay.
Merriam-Webster defines outercourse as:
“Sexual activity between individuals that does not involve vaginal or anal intercourse.”
If you say it like that, it sounds a little bland. But the actual experience should be anything but. If you…
They say money is the root of all evil.
The Co-Operative Bank describes financial abuse as:
“A form of domestic abuse. It occurs when an abuser restricts a person’s ability to acquire, use and maintain money or other economic resources.”
Money makes our world go round, on a personal and global scale.
But if someone we trust abuses our reliance on money and takes control of it for themselves, to further keep us under control, this is financial abuse.
While it does occur in different areas of life, it’s becoming increasingly common in relationships. And COVID has only fanned the flames.
According to the same report from The Co-Operative…
Suicide is a tough subject, especially with someone you love.
Sometimes you just don’t know how to respond…
The day began like any other. It was a Tuesday, I was working (yawn).
Around 11.30 am, a few minutes before I was due to take my lunch break, my phone vibrates.
Three missed calls from Kerry.
One missed call I can deal with, it could have been anything. But three missed calls? That set off some alarm bells.
I headed out of the office into the fresh air of the outdoors, so my phone could pick up some better service.
We basically worked in the basement around this time. …
Don’t let your relationship become toxic.
It’s perfectly natural for people to feel jealous.
When we sense a threat to something we hold dear or believe someone or something has surpassed us, we instinctively desire to be more.
But when it comes to relationships, jealousy on a large scale can become immeasurably toxic.
Not only can it severely damage the mental (and physical) wellbeing of the jealous party in question, it can begin to bleed into other areas of our lives, making them completely unsustainable.
You might have experienced this first hand…
Does your partner exhibit jealous tendencies?
Do they become anxious, protective, or even violent…
Self-destructive behavior is a never-ending cycle.
During my worst depressive episodes, I became increasingly aware of how little I would allow my mind to tiptoe back into the realm of positivity.
It was as if someone (myself) had built a psychological brick wall, cutting me off from feelings of optimism and happiness.
No matter how hard I tried to chip away, the wall would build itself back bigger and stronger than before.
In short, I was stuck.
But I recognized I was doing this to myself. …
Know your worth when you need it most.
Asking for a raise is always risky business.
In January 2020, right before the pandemic, I was waiting with bated breath to find out if I’d be given the pay raise I’d requested a few weeks earlier.
The responsibilities of my position in the company I worked for had drastically increased. They were finally utilizing more of my skills to bring in business and create awareness.
Finally, our Finance Manager joined me for our meeting. With a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye, he handed me a piece of paper.
I read through the technical employment…
Jim Sullivan
Full-time Writer. Featured in The Startup, Invisible Illness, The Ascent & more. Mental Health, Creativity, Productivity. Coffee and cake tend to help!
