Darkness to Dialogue: Living Well With Mental Illness

Understanding Dissociation: A Personal and Practical Guide to Mental Health Recovery A Glimpse Inside My Experience Sometimes I look around and feel a sudden disconnect from the world, streets that should feel familiar look strange, and memories collapse into each other. That disorienting sensation is dissociation, a symptom linked to trauma, chronic stress, and mental illness. Living with anxiety and depression means these moments can appear without warning. Acknowledging them instead of pushing them aside has become an essential part of my recovery. “Dissociation is not a flaw. It’s a signal that the mind is coping with overwhelming experiences.” The Layers of Dissociation Dissociation shows up in different ways: a sense of detachment from your surroundings, watching yourself from a distance, or losing track of time. In my twenties, after surviving early trauma, sexual assault, and domestic violence, I began noticing stretches of life that felt compressed or strangely distant. Re...

Small Practices of Stability Recovery isn’t just about the big breakthroughs; it’s about the  small, consistent practices that help you stay steady every single day . Managing symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges doesn’t always look dramatic; most of the time, it’s the tiny, intentional acts of self-care that quietly build resilience. Simple routines like journaling to process emotions, practicing mindfulness to stay grounded, keeping a regular sleep schedule, or moving your body gently  can make a bigger difference than we often realize. These aren’t quick fixes; they’re habits that compound over time, giving your mind and body a sense of predictability, safety, and control. Focusing on repeatable, small practices rather than perfection helps reduce overwhelm, prevent burnout, and make recovery feel manageable even on your hardest days. Stability doesn’t mean being symptom-free; it means having tools that let you navigate life with a steadier fo...

Weekly Mental Health Tip: Name Your Emotional Weather Emotions can feel like storms, sometimes intense, sometimes subtle, but naming them gives you power over them. Instead of judging yourself for feeling anxious, sad, or restless, try labeling the emotion: “I feel anxious,” “I feel frustrated,” or even “I feel exhausted.” 💡  Try this today:  Spend 30 seconds checking in with yourself.  Name the dominant emotion you’re feeling  and notice where it shows up in your body. Simply acknowledging it can reduce its intensity and help you respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. (I have done this several times, and it was so helpful. Why it matters:  For those living with mental illness, emotional labeling strengthens self-awareness and improves emotional regulation, a critical skill in mental health recovery. Thank you for stopping by! Until next time, remember that you are not alone in your feelings or experiences. I've got your back! For more updates: Ins...

​ When Your Brain Won’t Stop: Understanding Intrusive Thoughts in Recovery Article Summary: Intrusive thoughts can be distressing and disorienting, but they’re not a sign of weakness or danger; they’re part of how a sensitized brain tries to protect you. For those in recovery, learning to observe these thoughts without attaching meaning can transform fear into understanding.  “Intrusive thoughts don’t define you, they reveal how hard your brain is trying to keep you safe.” Rising Above the Noise: My Experience with Intrusive Thoughts I first noticed intrusive thoughts around middle school. They were sudden, random flashes of fear, violent images, worst-case scenarios, or strange “what if” moments that came out of nowhere. At that age, I didn’t think much of it. I assumed everyone’s brain worked that way. By the time I reached college, those thoughts became harder to ignore. I’d imagine something bad happening to people I loved, or worry that even having those thoughts meant some...

Intellectualizing in Mental Health Recovery Article Summary Intellectualizing is a defense mechanism often used in mental health recovery. While it can help us make sense of trauma, it can also delay emotional processing. This post explores how to recognize and balance intellectualization with emotional engagement in recovery. Have You Ever Found Yourself Analyzing Your Feelings Instead of Actually Feeling Them? Sometimes, in the middle of intense emotions, it feels safer to step back, break everything down, and make sense of it all. This tendency, called intellectualizing , is a psychological coping mechanism where the mind leans heavily on logic, analysis, or abstract reasoning to avoid uncomfortable feelings. While it can provide clarity and temporary relief, relying too much on intellectualization can quietly distance us from the very emotions we need to process in recovery. I want to explore how intellectualization shows up in mental health recovery, especially for those of us n...

Honoring Veterans This Month: A Veterans Day Feature November is Veterans and Military Families Month, a time to recognize the strength, sacrifice, and ongoing battles our servicemembers face long after the uniform comes off. My academic background includes research on veterans’ mental health from my doctoral program days, and I’ve also known many veterans personally. I’ve seen firsthand how the weight of invisible wounds follows them home. This month, I’m honored to feature their voices on my blog. Today’s story comes from  Damien Celaya , an Army veteran whose honesty about survival, numbness, and recovery cuts through the stereotypes and speaks directly to the heart of what healing really means. Interview with Damien Celaya Q: Can you share how your military experience shaped your understanding of mental health? "I was already familiar with mental health before I ever wore a uniform. Growing up with a mom who fought her own demons taught me early how deep those battles can go. ...