Just in Case You're Unaware

Hello, everyone! Now that I've shared why I wanted to start this blog, I want to provide you all with an overview of some important terms.

What is self care?

The definition of self care is "The practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress."

Self care is fixing your sleep schedule, taking a shower, brushing your hair, getting dressed, going to work and/or school, etc. For someone with a mental illness, these tasks may feel like chores sometimes. Self care is more than just taking care of your physical health, though. It is investing time in your hobbies, connecting with family and friends, maybe trying something new, etc. Now, this does not mean you must force yourself to do something if you hate it. But you must take time for yourself and take care of yourself.

Depression and Anxiety

• Depression: A mental illness with many symptoms that can range from mild to severe. The American Psychiatry Association states the following:

"Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act...It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home."

• Anxiety Disorder: A condition that causes severe anxiety which interferes with your life and inhibits you from participating in or completing daily tasks.

• Panic Attack: Physical symptoms brought on by sudden and severe anxiety or fear, often where there is no imminent threat of danger. Symptoms during a panic attack can range from hyperventilating and faster heartbeat to an inability to speak and zoning out.

• Dissociation: Often a side effect of other mental illnesses or severe trauma. This can involve feeling disconnected to your own body, memories, surroundings, feelings, etc., and often affects your perception of time and identity.

I recommend checking out WebMD or The American Psychiatry Association and other websites if you would like to research more!

LGBTQ+ Community

• LGBTQ+ or LGBT: Acronym for "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, etc."

• Sex: Assigned at birth

• Gender: Identity

• Lesbian: A woman attracted to women

• Gay/Homosexual: A person who is attracted to the same gender

• Bisexual: A person who is attracted to two or more genders

• Transgender: A person who identifies as a gender other than their sex assigned at birth

• Pansexual: A person who is attracted to others regardless of sex or gender

• Asexual: A person who experiences little to no sexual attraction

• Demisexual: A person who feels sexual attraction only after forming emotional bonds

• Non-Binary: A person who does not identify with any gender.

• Cis-Gender: A person who identifies with their biological sex

• Gender Dysphoria: Experiencing anxiety and discomfort with one's physical body due to it not aligning with your gender identity

• Transition: How one chooses to begin living as the gender they identify with. I would like to note that there is not one perfect way to transition; surgery is not the only way in which a person can live as who they are.

• Preferred Pronouns: Using specific pronouns such as She/Her, He/Him, They/Them, and others to identify a person. Ie; I am a cis-gender woman using she/her pronouns and I have non-binary friends who prefer they/them pronouns.

I recommend visiting the Human Rights Campaign for more info!

Happy Pride, everyone!