Stories

anonymous
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Loosely definedDeeply disturbingIn my mindPerpetually hurting Furthermore, Psychoanalysis dissectsPicks at the psycheEntitles intellectConforming clinically But I, Vitally dissolveTerminology abusePositively dis-involveDiagnostic cues For the turmoil withinBreaks the brawniest warriorThe nightmares I spinDemeans the most despicable horror My Reality’s removeAttached to anotherThe visions gluedUnabating hover The Countless triggersPull the cordHaunting figuresTerror sword Therefore, Vernacular apathizesAggravates the soreMerely Read More …

anonymous
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My first eating-disordered thought that led to my relapse happened on Rosh Hashana last year. This spiraled into a full-blown relapse, and within months, I was whisked away to a treatment center to begin my healing process. I was in intensive therapy for the past eight months. The whole year of 5780 was dedicated towards Read More …

Anonymous Female
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I’ll always remember the first panic attack that I experienced in reaction to my child’s mental health issues.  Don’t get me wrong, I had already had many sleepless nights and terrifying, tear-filled moments. But never an actual panic attack. It was the first night of Rosh Hashana. Our teenaged daughter had been recently hospitalized for severe Read More …

anonymous
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when you are a new arrival  to the mental health world, the road is long, the night is dark. it’s overwhelming:  you feel so alone,  and the pain is deep. nobody can ever understand  what you’re going through and surely, few have gone through what you have and even more-so, none have passed through this Read More …

Anonymous Female
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You came into my life when I was all of seventeen years old. You wreaked havoc on my simple and blissful existence. You overtook me, you controlled me. You unhooked my cart from the train of life. You ruined my plans, my dreams. Panic attacks, manic episodes, and confusion became part of my life. Psychiatrists, Read More …

anonymous
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Living in the world of trauma and mental illness, I have a special place in my heart for Tisha B’Av and the three weeks. I feel that this time of year is a time that Hashem feels my deep pain, the pain that I hold in my heart a whole year. And I try to Read More …

Anonymous Male
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I’m an anxious person.  Actually, let me rephrase that. I’m a very anxious person.  I worry about anything and everything. My job, my health, dating, and pretty much each and every slightly intimidating social interaction.  I just naturally assume the worst and trick myself into thinking that’s a sure-fire reality.  Journaling my Worries A couple Read More …

Anonymous Female
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Editor’s Note: This piece contains descriptions of the author’s Sexaholism symptoms in general terms, which some readers may find uncomfortable. Refuat Hanefesh believes that addiction is a critically important issue to shed a light on in the Jewish community, particularly this segment of addiction as it is seldomly discussed. We commend the author for sharing Read More …

Anonymous Female
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I just recently turned 22. A birthday is always a good time to stop and reflect on the previous year and make goals for the coming year. And currently being in quarantine, I can’t help but remember where I was a year ago on my 21st birthday. The period around my 21st birthday was the Read More …