pop culture
Representations of mental health in pop culture; dissect and discuss popular psychology, mental illness stigmas, and media depictions.
I’m the One Who Never Falls Apart—Until I Did
By Nadeem Shah I’ve always been “the strong one.” You know the type—the person who listens at 2 a.m. when someone needs to vent, who holds space for tears that aren’t their own, who never seems to crack no matter how heavy the storm gets. That was me.
By Nadeem Shah 6 months ago in Psyche
The Silence Between Us
By Nadeem Shah It had been 472 days since we last spoke. Not that I was counting—at least, not anymore. In the beginning, I counted everything. The days since the argument. The hours since I thought about calling. The number of messages I typed and never sent. The seconds I stood outside your door that one night… and turned away.
By Nadeem Shah 7 months ago in Psyche
Under the Gaze: The Psychology of Social Pressure
Introduction To be human is to live in relation to others. From birth to adulthood, our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are continuously shaped by the people and norms around us. While this interconnectedness is fundamental to development, belonging, and social survival, it also carries an invisible weight: the pressure to conform, to meet expectations, and to perform according to standards often beyond our control. This phenomenon, known as social pressure, is not just a matter of peer influence or societal rules—it is a psychological force that deeply impacts our identity formation, decision-making, and emotional well-being.
By Siria De Simone7 months ago in Psyche
Anemonia: The Nostalgia for Time Never Lived
Introduction There are moments when a person gazes at an old painting, walks through the halls of a historic building, or listens to the crackling melody of a bygone era, and is suddenly overwhelmed by a strange, unplaceable feeling. It is not merely admiration or aesthetic appreciation, but something far deeper and more intimate. It is as if their soul remembers something their body never lived. This emotion—complex, bittersweet, and haunting—does not fit neatly into existing psychological categories. It is not nostalgia in the traditional sense, since it does not concern a lived past. Nor is it simple romanticism or escapism. This phenomenon, increasingly discussed in contemporary psycho-aesthetic theory and cultural psychology, is beginning to take shape under a new conceptual name: anemonia.
By Siria De Simone7 months ago in Psyche
The Gentle Rebellion of Doing Things That Don’t Matter (But Actually Do)
There are nights where I sit hunched over a diamond painting, one tiny gem at a time, carefully pressing each one into its designated place. It’s absurd, really. Hours pass, and I have nothing to “show for it” but a sparkling portrait of a colourful flower or a moonlit forest — and a slightly aching neck.
By Scarlett R. 🍁7 months ago in Psyche
The Complex Role of Dopamine in Our Lives: Understanding the Science Behind Pleasure and Motivation
*The Complex Role of Dopamine in Our Lives: Understanding the Science Behind Pleasure and Motivation* Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in our brain's reward and pleasure centers. It is often referred to as the "feel-good" hormone, and for good reason. Dopamine is released in response to pleasurable activities, such as eating, exercise, or social interactions, and it helps to motivate us to repeat those behaviors. However, when dopamine is released in excess or in response to artificial stimuli, such as social media or pornography, it can have negative consequences for our mental and physical health.
By Ikram Ullah7 months ago in Psyche
