Next time you find yourself stuck in the ban corner, I’d suggest actually reading the rules first. Here are the community guidelines—just some basic ground rules to keep things running smoothly around here. We want this to be a space where everyone can jump in and share their thoughts without feeling like they’re walking on eggshells, but that only works if we respect one another. Please keep the conversation civil. We aren't looking for heated arguments or personal attacks—that kind of stuff just kills the vibe for everyone else. If you find yourself getting too aggressive or targeting someone personally, please take a breather. If anyone starts breaking the rules—whether it's spamming, harassment, or being intentionally disruptive—we will have to move them to the ban corner. It’s nothing personal, it’s just about maintaining the quality of the discussion. Basically, just be a decent human being. Treat others with the same level of respect you'd expect in return, and we won't have any issues. Let's keep the focus on the topics at hand and enjoy the discussions. The ban corner.
So, what was even the point of this thread if it wasn't meant to be my own reflection on the moderation here? That conclusion you reached—that I’m just going to be a "passive observer" in the Psychology department—didn't actually come from our discussion, so I don't really see the purpose of the previous back-and-forth since you've already decided to take offense. Besides, filing an appeal for a ban isn't exactly the right venue for gossiping about random users on the forum. Enjoy your reading.
Keith Allen3 said:...and besides, you can just tell from the way the OP introduced the topic how much they're being driven by their own biases—so at the very least they deserve a little bit of mockery from a certain male perspective.
Look, if this topic were being discussed on the US board or some other subforum, I’d get it. But this whole narrative about what kind of women "deserve" what? That just doesn't sit right with me here in Psychology. Anyway, I'll try to be a bit quicker on the draw next time.
Look, over at Psychic Couch, there are definitely certain threads where the moderation is a bit more relaxed—places where dark humor is actually welcomed and even encouraged. But then you have other topics where there’s absolutely zero room for jokes or sarcasm. Since you've already been given a formal warning on this specific thread, you really should have realized which category the "not loving when I shoot myself" topic falls into. This is a space where women are sharing their actual, lived experiences with sexual harassment. Trying to offer "support" to a fellow user by quoting that song is, at best, incredibly tasteless.
Patrick Patel4 said:Honestly, this poll is kind of a mess, especially once it starts veering off on the whole video game topic. I’m not even sure what the point is—we all know girls play games, and they play pretty much everything. Regarding that curve showing women playing less than men... maybe that holds up if you're looking at people who didn't grow up in gaming culture, but I personally know tons of female gamers who crush hard games and absolutely love them. Some of them actually play better than the guys. Is there stigma? Sure. But honestly, the stigma here isn't really aimed at women. It’s more directed at men and their age. Especially if you’re over 30, even though studies show that most guys gaming today are actually in that 30-to-50 demographic. It used to be way different; back in the day, we were playing from age 4 or 6 or 8 and onwards. And those of us who played usually stuck with it as a hobby. I’ve also met plenty of girls who grew up playing video games with their sisters when they were little, and they remember those games so well that they're actually better at Multiplayer than I am. Though, they aren't necessarily better at Singleplayer, nor will they ever be. If I find one, I'll let you know. For now, my reflexes haven't gone totally dull at 30; my timing is still pinpoint accurate.
The wife just wants to graduate. It's really not that deep.
You aren't some authority figure, and you certainly don't have the right to try and blackmail someone just because they hold a different opinion. It’s funny how everyone on this sub talks endlessly without anyone actually mentioning an official diagnosis. It’s perfectly reasonable to discuss symptoms and the evidence we've gathered, whether we're talking about narcissism, sadism, or anything else for that matter.
So, according to your logic, parents should have a free pass to be abusive or violent whenever they feel like it? As long as some government agency hasn't officially diagnosed them or filed the paperwork, they don't actually have a disorder? It’s a pretty cynical way to look at things.
I have a family member with an official schizophrenia diagnosis. He isn't abusive, and I’m not trying to slap labels on everyone or make sweeping generalizations here. I’m simply looking at the reality of my own situation: some people are just inherently malicious, and they happen to deal with mental health disorders that strip away their ability to think logically or maintain a grip on reality. Those cognitive breaks are just part of the clinical picture.
I provided some specific examples. I'm honestly not sure if there’s a better way to label them. Or let's just call them what they are: lunatics. It’s not enough. I’m actually posting about this over on the toxic parents thread as well.
Hey, I don't think we've officially met yet—I'm one of the moderators for the psychology subforum. 🙂
Now that we're acquainted, there’s really no reason for you to be rehashing your situation with your parents here, especially since you're already covering it in the appropriate thread.
The way you're throwing around terms like "schizophrenia" and "schizophrenics" as insults to describe all the crap your parents put you through—well, I won't allow that kind of demonization of the illness in this space. I am truly sorry you dealt with such terrible parents, but that doesn't give you a free pass to come into a forum meant for providing information and support—primarily for people living with schizophrenia—and insult an entire group of people just because you didn't win the genetic lottery. There are plenty of jerks out there without a single diagnosis; having a psychiatric condition isn't a prerequisite for being a complete asshole. Equating shitty behavior with actual symptoms, or trying to play amateur doctor based on nothing, simply isn't welcome here.
David Hall6, this is the third time I'm asking: do your parents actually have a schizophrenia diagnosis? Or were they just terrible parents, and you've decided to slap a bunch of mental illnesses on them just to be spiteful?
From now on, I’m going to flag any posts about "schizophrenics." Go demonize mental illness somewhere else.
The headline is pure clickbait—this isn't some roommate drama, it’s your own humanitarian project. As for why you're doing it, well, I guess that's something only you can answer.
It’s completely understandable why you’re worrying about your parents—especially your mom. Relationships with parents aren't always perfect, and they can get incredibly messy; when a parent passes away, that weight just feels heavier because you lose the chance—and the time—to fix any old mistakes or smoothed over those jagged edges along the Mississippi that you might have been putting off forever. I am so incredibly sorry for how your father passed; unfortunately, so many people go through similar tragedies and end up with similar funerals—it’s just a grim reality of the world we live in, a sad statistic that, well, some people just have to face. What really concerns me, though, is how you described struggling to function day-to-day—the stress in your marriage, the issues in your sex life, and all of that. Plus, looking back, I see you were posting about similar struggles as far back as 2017, so it's clear this has been weighing on you for a long time. Losing a parent as an adult is, sadly, a natural part of life, and while it hits most people hard, usually folks find a way to cope a bit more easily than what you're describing here. I wouldn't necessarily label this as a clinical disorder or anything extreme, but I do truly believe talking to a professional could help—mostly to ease the pressure of looking after your mother, and then perhaps to work through any lingering tension left over from your relationship with your father. I don't have a specific therapist to recommend, unfortunately.
I'll keep this brief and skip the fluff. I’m posting this in Psychology since that seems most relevant.
It’s been over six years, and I still haven't moved on from my ex. I’ve reached a point where I'm somewhat content with my own life, but there's this persistent void where our relationship used to be. Six years later, and I still can't seem to fill it. Finding out he got married after we split was the final blow. It felt like any chance we had was gone forever.
I tried settling down myself, but I just couldn't find any real happiness. I regret the breakup deeply. I honestly thought we were living some kind of American dream—that we’d be together forever. Reality had other plans. The regret is constant. I cycle through anger, bitterness, and pure disappointment because he walked away and never once looked back. He made it clear I wasn't his choice anymore. For a long time, I felt played and pathetic, yet the grieving process just won't end.
Amy Kelly said:That’s not my son—he’s been shaving his head for years now, so I’m totally used to it😁
Let me be clear: I don't have any issue at all with a bald head, whether it's natural or intentional😁
I tried asking him about it, but he just brushes it off with a joke. But if something is actually weighing on him and he feels like he can't talk to anyone, why would he just give me a straight answer?
The context here is that lately, he hasn't been showing interest in things he used to be amazing at. He seems different, and other people have noticed it too. Now, on top of that, there's this whole "chin" thing, haha
Isn't this classic psychology? Does anyone here happen to be a pro psychologist?
It’s what Olivia Chavez3 is saying that really has me worried😲
Don't you think that's pretty vital information that should have been included in the original post? People have been asking for context over and over again.
Yeah, it's definitely possible the kid is struggling with something. Shaving his head is probably the least of his worries, but what was quoted here is what's actually setting off alarm bells. It could be anything, really—but since none of us are licensed psychologists, it would be totally irresponsible to try and "diagnose" him over the internet.
If you're able to and you feel up to it, maybe try talking to him. Just let him know you're there and that you're willing to listen or help out. You could also point him toward some local youth counseling services in his area—if those even exist where he lives—or maybe reach out to his parents or someone else close to him.
Don't you think society still holds a double standard when it comes to seeing a shaved head—you know, whether it's on a male or a female?
I mean, look at how people react after a breakup. Some women just go out and chop their hair off—their own hair, on their own heads—usually settling for a haircut that's considered "socially acceptable." Others might go out and grab a few drinks, maybe hook up with someone new—nothing worth a clinical diagnosis, really. 😁
To be honest, you didn't give us enough context in your opening post. Sure, there are definitely situations where it would be genuinely concerning if a 17-year-old guy suddenly shaved his head, but I doubt this online jury is going to jump to any extreme conclusions about the person in question based on what we know.
Amy Kelly said:Should you be worried if someone shaves their head?
She’s always had "normal" hairstyles, then suddenly—buzz cut down to the skin.
Male, younger guy.
I read somewhere that this can sometimes be a "cry for help."
Where did you see that? Do you have a link or a reference for it?
Personally, I think people should be allowed to do whatever they want with their own bodies—as long as they aren't hurting anyone else. And honestly, a shaved head on a guy is just a perfectly normal hairstyle.
Jerry Flores70 said:Dear Helen Keller, we’re dealing with almost the exact same thing, except my situation has an extra layer of frustration: his mother actually sneaks into our house when we aren't home. She goes around inspecting everything—checking for dust under the bed, looking at the furniture, seeing if the windows are clean, or if I’ve finished the dishes. And here’s the kicker: if she finds anything she doesn't like, she won't say a word to my face. Instead, she tells her son, and then he comes to me with some kind of complaint. 😛One time, he just casually mentions, "Hey, I found a pile of dust under the bed," even though he never once cared about checking for dust before! It happened several times, and I realized immediately that she was being incredibly malicious and spying on us. Honestly, her own house is so filthy you'd think nobody even lives there...
This thread is from 2007, and the original poster hasn't logged in since 2011. If you want a more current discussion about mothers-in-law, check it out here.