"Me, My Selfie, and I - A Child Abuse Survivor's Take on Selfies."
By: Cherry Tigris
While studies may suggest a link between selfie-taking and mental illness, my experience has been anything but detrimental to my mental health. I would hazard to guess many people who suffer from PTSD find selfie-taking a healing rather than damaging activity. Growing up, I was discouraged from looking in the mirror and, as a result, was not able to identify with myself in ways that many people take for granted.
I do not have happy pictures of birthday parties or pictures of any other traditionally happy moments that I can refer back to. These kinds of pictures were simply not available to me. As a result, I grew up lacking a key element in my development.
Selfies take the place of what should have been a happy childhood and provide a grounding emotion that cannot be experienced in any other way. By taking pictures of myself, I am able to document my various emotions as a way of identifying growth, sadness, elation and introspection. When you grow up without positive family role models, child abuse survivors have to find a way to identify with themselves. It is unfortunate when these activities are labeled selfish or as precursors of narcissism.
Having dedicated my life to the cause of child abuse awareness, I feel entitled to a selfie--or two--if that makes me feel better. Believe me, you would not want to have the memories I and others like me possess.
Selfies can be an excellent way of accomplishing a kinder relationship with self. Some will ask why a "selfie" as opposed to someone else taking my picture. My simple answer is that taking a selfie with the right intention and motivation is a private experience that is meant to serve as a personal reflection without the distraction of anyone else's energy in the room. I happen to share the result of my private time with the world because people find them/me funny and uplifting. The social benefits of sharing selfies replaces family for me. That might seem sad to some, but I am grateful for one of the few vices I have in this world.
REFERENCES:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/25/selfie-addiction-mental-illness_n_5022090.html
By: Cherry Tigris
While studies may suggest a link between selfie-taking and mental illness, my experience has been anything but detrimental to my mental health. I would hazard to guess many people who suffer from PTSD find selfie-taking a healing rather than damaging activity. Growing up, I was discouraged from looking in the mirror and, as a result, was not able to identify with myself in ways that many people take for granted.
I do not have happy pictures of birthday parties or pictures of any other traditionally happy moments that I can refer back to. These kinds of pictures were simply not available to me. As a result, I grew up lacking a key element in my development.
Selfies take the place of what should have been a happy childhood and provide a grounding emotion that cannot be experienced in any other way. By taking pictures of myself, I am able to document my various emotions as a way of identifying growth, sadness, elation and introspection. When you grow up without positive family role models, child abuse survivors have to find a way to identify with themselves. It is unfortunate when these activities are labeled selfish or as precursors of narcissism.
Having dedicated my life to the cause of child abuse awareness, I feel entitled to a selfie--or two--if that makes me feel better. Believe me, you would not want to have the memories I and others like me possess.
Selfies can be an excellent way of accomplishing a kinder relationship with self. Some will ask why a "selfie" as opposed to someone else taking my picture. My simple answer is that taking a selfie with the right intention and motivation is a private experience that is meant to serve as a personal reflection without the distraction of anyone else's energy in the room. I happen to share the result of my private time with the world because people find them/me funny and uplifting. The social benefits of sharing selfies replaces family for me. That might seem sad to some, but I am grateful for one of the few vices I have in this world.
REFERENCES:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/25/selfie-addiction-mental-illness_n_5022090.html
