Category Archives: Mental Health

Untangling Projection and Disassociation

April, Disassociation, Mental Health, Projection, Stay Safe,

Projection

Projection and dissociation are ways our minds try to handle difficult feelings or thoughts, but they can make mental health much worse.

Projection is when we see our own bad feelings or thoughts in other people instead of admitting we have them.   This can lead to misunderstandings and problems in relationships.  To get better mental health, its important to learn to understand and deal with our own feelings instead of blaming others.

Projection is common because its easier to point fingers at others than admit our own faults.  It helps us feel better about ourselves.

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Disassociation 

Dissociation is when we feel distant from our thoughts, feeling, or memories.  It often happens during tough times, like when were stressed or scared.  While it can help for the short term, too much dissociation can make us feel lost and confused but most importantly not living in the present.  To improve mental health, its important to learn ways to stay connected to ourselves, like talking to someone we trust or can learn to trust as well as activities we enjoy.

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In simple terms, dissociation means feeling disconnected from ourselves, while projection means blaming others for our own problems.  Both can make mental health worse, but learning to understand and cope with our feelings can help us feel better.

Take Care of Yourself

Some simple ways to help your healing journey can include, thinking about your feelings and taking time out to write about your feelings.  Staying present to what’s happening right now and not trying to get lost in your thoughts.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help to have someone support you.  Talking about your feeling to someone close to you or even starting treatment with on of our astounding therapists, click here.

Call 734-729-3133

Challenging your thoughts and asking yourself if there is another way to see the situation.  Take breaks and do something you enjoy, like going for a walk, listening to music, or engaging in a hobby – you don’t have to heal 24/7 , we all deserve to be happy and keep life light.  Lastly, try incorporating deep breathing techniques or meditation to help stay calm and focused.

 

Cheers to a Sunny Weekend Michiganders!!

Warm Regards,

Monique (:

 

 

References:

Heshmat, S., PhD. (2022, May 31). When we face overwhelming stress, disconnecting can be a coping skill. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/science-choice/202102/what-is-the-dissociative-mind

Projection. (2022, January 6). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/projection

Empowering Against Narcissism: Finding Strength

Healthy Coping Mechanisms, Healthy Relationship, Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, ,

Being with someone who acts like they’re better than everyone else, like they’re always right, can really mess up how you feel about yourself.  They might say mean things or make you doubt yourself all the time.  It can make you feel like you have to depend on them, even if they’re not treating you well.  It can even make you sick from feeling stressed all the time.  But even though it’s hard, people who go through this keep going, even when things seem really bad.

Learn more about the effects of stress,  Click here

I’ve had family and friends who acted like this, and it really hurt my feelings and made me feel bad about myself.  It took a long time for me to figure out that I’m actually pretty great just the way I am.  I used to feel unsure about myself and even pretend to be happy when I wasn’t.  But that just made things worse.  Dealing with someone who always wants to be in control made me feel like what I though or wanted didn’t matter.  it made me forget how important I am.

If someone acts like they’re better than everyone’s else, never says sorry when they hurt your feelings, or tries to make you feel guilty for thing that aren’t your fault, those are big signs something’s wrong.  They might act really nice at first but then start being mean later.  They might not respect your personal space or get mad for no reason.  Its important to notice these signs early so you can protect yourself from feeling bad.

When you’ve been hurt or treated badly by someone, it might feel like they’ve taken away your power.  But being a victim doesn’t mean you’re weak or helpless.  In fact, it can be just the opposite.  Going through tough times can make you stronger and wiser.  It gives you the chance to learn from what happened and grow from it.  Instead of letting it bring you down, use it as fuel to stand up for yourself and others.  You have the power to choose how you react and how you let it affect you.  Remember, you’re not alone, there are people who care about you and want to help.  Being a victim doesn’t define you; its what you do next that matters.  So, take control of your story and let it empower you to be even stronger than before.

 

National Domestic Violence Hotline

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Call: 800-799-7233

Volunteer Crisis Counselor

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Text LEV to 741741

Mental Health Hotline Michigan

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Call: 866-903-3787

Suicide Hotline

For more info, Click here

Call: 988

I hope you all stay safe and have a wonderful weekend.

Don’t forget, you’re important.

Warm Regards,

Monique

 

 

References:

Admin. (2024, January 12). Mental Health Hotline Michigan | 866-903-3787. Mental Health Hotline. https://mentalhealthhotline.org/michigan/

Domestic Violence Support | National Domestic Violence Hotline. (2023, April 27). The Hotline. https://www.thehotline.org/

Emotional abuse – free 24/7 support – text 741741. (2023, July 24). Crisis Text Line. https://www.crisistextline.org/topics/emotional-abuse/#what-is-emotional-abuse-1

Our Network – 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. (n.d.). 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org/our-network/

Vitalityunleashed. (2023, June 20). How to Identify Narcissism & Narcissist – Vitality Unleashed Psychology. VITALITY. https://www.vitalityunleashed.com.au/identifying-narcissism/

Identifying Narcissism

 

Dangerous Distractions: The Risks of Distracted Driving

April, Driving distracted, Mental Health, Safety First, Stay Safe, ,

Distracted Driving Awareness Month, observed annually in April, is a vital campaign aimed towards raising awareness about the dangers of driving distracted and promoting safer habits on the road.  With the influx of smartphones and other digital devices, distracted driving has become a major concern.  This observance  seeks to educate drivers about the risks.

Chemical dependency, such as addiction to alcohol or drugs can greatly contribute to distracted driving.  When under the influence, individuals may struggle to focus on the road, react to traffic signals, or make sound judgments.  The compulsion to use substances can override concerns about safety, leading to risky behaviors behind the wheel.  Moreover, the impaired cognitive and motor functions associated with substance use increase the likelihood of accidents.  Addressing chemical dependency through treatment and support can help mitigate the dangers of distract driving, promoting safer roads for everyone.

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The statistics surrounding distracted driving are sobering.  I will leave a link at the end regarding this.  Various organizations, including government agencies, non-profit groups, and businesses collaborate to promote educational initiatives and advocacy efforts.

By collectively advocating for safer driving and promoting responsibility on the road, stakeholders seek to decrease distracted driving accidents and save lives.  Raising awareness is essential, but action is equally crucial.  Individually, we can contribute to safe roads by adopting distraction-free driving habits, like keeping our phones away, avoiding multitasking, and staying attentive.  Prioritizing safety whenever we drive helps create a more responsible and secure driving environment for all.

 

For more information, Click here

 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, Stay safe.

Sincerely,

Monique

 

 

References:

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month | NHTSA. (n.d.). NHTSA. https://www.nhtsa.gov/april-distracted-driving-awareness-month

SHzoom It, LLC. (2023, January 2). Distracted Driving: Facts and preventions | SHZoom. SHzoom. https://shzoom.com/distracted-driving-facts-and-preventions/