Beyond the Blues
Understanding depression is difficult; hear from Psyche's community of peers on their experiences with this mood disorder.
A Lesson in Self-Care
I read an article a while back (after it had circled around on my Facebook feed) that discussed self-care. I agree with the author when I say this: People have a skewed view of what self-care really means. So many people today see self-care as taking a nice bath, eating a piece of cake, reading a book, and buying yourself new lotion, but that is not what self-care is.
By Kendra Felicity Wheeler8 years ago in Psyche
Be Still
Some people say that if you travel far enough, you'll find yourself. I used to find comfort in that assumption. When I realized that things didn't have to remain consistent, I took advantage of it. When something went wrong, when things felt "off," or if an opportunity presented itself — I took it. It was easy for me to leave it all behind. People, cities, universities, relationships. I kept saying I needed to find myself. If only I had known that I was never lost in the first place.
By Patricia batoon8 years ago in Psyche
'Don't Call Me Crazy'
Approximately one in four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year, be it depression, anxiety, or otherwise. It's a statistic we have all heard of, and if you think about it, that figure is astounding! The stigma around mental health has been thrust into the limelight in the UK over recent years, and it's being recognised as being just as important as physical health and I couldn't be happier. I have battled depression on and off for most of my life and I finally feel in a place where I can openly discuss my struggles. It's not something you want to admit to people and you almost feel ashamed of yourself for feeling the way you have when there is so much to be thankful for in life. I am writing this open letter so I can stand up for others and let them know that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Your feelings matter and you aren't "crazy."
By Laura McCarthy8 years ago in Psyche
Healing After Heartbreak
It’s been truly identified as one if the worst things to endure in a lifetime. Heartbreak is the outcome of many events in our lives, but no matter how many times we may experience it, a broken heart never hurts any less. It’s that soul crushing blow to the soul that leaves us in total loss and despair, something I myself am dealing with currently. I wanted to share some of my own personal tips and methods of recovering, in the hopes that I may help a fellow sufferer. Before any of that, I decided to be brave enough to share the truth and reality of the affects of a broken heart, most recently on myself.
By Jessica Murray8 years ago in Psyche
A Letter to My 10-Year-Old Self
Dear Jerico, I’m writing to you on this non-particular day because it’s sunny, there’s not a cloud in the sky, the neighbors' roosters are crowing, and I’m feeling clearer. I can tell you it’s a beautiful day because, my goodness, it is. The only downside, I think, is that it’s hot and I’m sweaty. You’re probably confused as to why you’re getting a letter from a stranger, but I’ll tell you now that I am not a stranger. I am you from the future. 11 years older, exactly. Well, almost 12 years older. Your birthday is nearing.
By Jerico Santiago8 years ago in Psyche
Trigger Warning: Depression
Sometimes depression is really warranted: when friends bail, leaving an aching heart and lonely schedule, or when lovers disappear and stop responding to your calls. But then there are other days, days like today, where nothing at all causes the depressive state; it just happens. Yesterday was Monday, so the depression made sense, and the weather was shitty too, which would also warrant a lowered mood. But today, today is Tuesday, one day closer to Friday, one day farther from Monday. The weather isn’t awful, and the sun is shining. So why? Why, today, is the depression once again eating away at my flesh and bones like a hungry, blood guzzling, monster?
By Donna Sczygelski8 years ago in Psyche
My Depression
Depression is a hard thing to go through. I have been through depression since I was really young. When I lost my grandma in 2002, and my grandpa in 2012, I felt so miserable and depressed. I felt like I lost two of my best friends. I was really close to my grandparents. When I lost my grandma, I started hanging out with the wrong crowd. And I also was getting into a lot of trouble at school. I skipped school and my attitude was very horrible. Then, I was sexually assaulted from when I was 7 to 16 years old. My depression got worse and worse by the minute. I thought nobody loved or cared about me at all, because people I trusted with my life would hurt me. It was hard for me to trust other people in my life. When I started dating my husband, he would try to hold me or try to get close to me. But I would always push him away because I just got out of a very abusive relationship before I started dating him. I was so scared that my husband would hurt me just like my ex boyfriend did. But he was so patient and kind with me. It took me about a good year to finally let him get close to me.
By Shante Hernandez8 years ago in Psyche
