Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Awkward
In the outside world (aside from family) I have always found it easier to talk to strangers over those who are familiar to me. For example, I can be waiting at the bus stop and find myself ‘chatting’ briefly to a stranger with little discomfort. Perhaps that is partly because I am aware that the interaction will be interrupted by the bus’s imminent arrival. I have in the past, much to my horror, found myself seated next to the ‘chatty’ person on the bus following our conversation outside. This is not meant to happen. This is not part of the deal. Our interaction is meant to end upon boarding. Do Not tell me that this person expects me to continue the conversation. Anyway, nowadays I am much more vigilant and prepared for this. There are two approaches to be employed. 1. Board the bus and quickly locate a single seat in a congested area of the bus (reducing the likelihood of the ‘chatty person’ locating a seat near me). 2. Insisting the ‘chatty person’ boards the bus first. Then following him/her on. This buys you some time to watch them take their seat and choose yours accordingly – (away from theirs). This can be awkward when they select a seat with ample room for you nearby, making you feel obligated to take your seat there.
By Jania Williams5 years ago in Psyche
Life’s Ups and Downs
I am 57 years old.I’ve done great things in my life. Then I’ve done the worst things. The great things are when Iwas a critical care nurse for a large hospital group.I truly loved my job;caring for the sickest people in the hospital.I’ve kept the sickest patients alive all night and I’ve helped the sickest die with dignity.I remember one lady in particular. Mrs May was 78 years old and in our critical care unit for three months. She was on a ventilator the entire stay. She was sedated and never conscious for her stay. Her husband came every day to sit at her bedside. I was there to care for him and his emotional needs just as much as I was there to care for her. I worked 12 hour nights at that time. My care for her was mostly comfort measures as aposed to heroic measures. She was a ‘no code’ or DNR- do not resuscitate. The things I did for her were to keep her comfortable and her husband comforted and informed on her status. I washed her hair and styled it like the pictures of her hanging on walls. I painted her nails a pretty pink as that was her favorite color. I spent the time with her family to know these details. These care measures didn’t improve her psychical condition but did help her husband feel she wasn’t suffering. Yes-I also maintained her airway,suctioned her lungs frequently,and assessed her condition continuously. I drew her blood and kept up with her medications. But the maintaining of her beauty and physical care was just as important. Some of the nurses felt Mrs.May shouldn’t have been left on life support for so long as she was dying. But I understood that her husband needed this time to love her and prepare to let her go. I wasn’t there the night she slipped away but her husband called me the next night that I was a work just to talk. He continued to call me every week or two just to talk about how he was managing without her. This went on for a few months then I never heard from him again. My job was finally done. I had done all I could and was satisfied with the results. Pink nail polish still makes me think fondly of Mr.and Mrs.May.
By Margaret pickens5 years ago in Psyche
Circle Games
I recently attended my daughter’s parent-teacher evening at school. I hadn’t felt too bothered about it. I had pictured myself sitting there with her teacher for a short time, then leaving, satisfied that all was well. I didn’t have any major concerns about my daughter’s progress. It was more a case of fulfilling my duty as a parent by showing up. Meetings of any kind tend to make me nervous, but I assumed that I would be able to handle this one on one scenario okay.
By Jania Williams5 years ago in Psyche
All the world's a stage
My daughter climbed in bed with me the other morning. So nice to know my seventeen year old still feels comfortable doing that. I started chatting and became quite animated about something and she said. ‘Are you sure you have selective mutism (SM)?’, jokingly.
By Jania Williams5 years ago in Psyche
Talk Elixir
A few years ago I stumbled upon the term selective mutism (SM)on a social media page. I sat there, dumfounded, mouth agape as I read the words on the screen. ‘Selective mutism is an acute anxiety response’, ‘vocal chords become paralysed’, ‘unable to talk’, ‘often mistaken for shyness’. I could not believe it. I was reading….. ‘me’. With urgent intrigue I read on. ‘The inability to talk in certain situations or environments — typically school’.
By Jania Williams5 years ago in Psyche
Every Scar Tells A Story...But People Make Me Feel Ashamed of Mine.
When I was at primary school in the 80's I had an accident while playing with friends in the playground. We were playing a game of sharks which was an idea from a film, and we had to run and get off the ground in order not to be caught. Like all young children do, I got a little over excited and I ran straight into the double iron gates in the playground and slashed open my eyebrow, close enough to my left eye to have almost killed me as the hospital told me. I still remember the excruciating hot pain, fever, sickness, severe headaches, dizziness and almost concussion from that accident. It is an everyday nightmare that still plays like a video in my head. The children just looked at me, they were really scared, as a teacher rushed me in doors with blood dripping down from my brow to the side of my face while I screamed in agony. I was terrified. As a very young child, I had no idea what was going on, but as the first aider in the school sick room had problems stopping my brow bone from bleeding, and as I was in so much pain, I wanted to pass out as well as a very deep anxiety, I knew it was pretty bad.
By Carol Ann Townend5 years ago in Psyche
The Athlete Who Shot 6, Violent Sports Are To Blame?
Former NFL player Phillip Adams shot 6, killed 5, and then himself a few weeks ago. After so many cases of aggression perpetrated by football players, people are beginning to question the effect of violence in sports on people's mental health.
By Mindsmatter.5 years ago in Psyche
5 Tips for Navigating Summer With an Eating Disorder
Summer is especially difficult for me as someone who has multiple eating disorders . So many of summer’s activities involve food — barbecues, festivals, etc. — and as the world opens up more than it has in over a year, I am finding myself having increased when it comes to my body and food. While food seems to be a big part of summer activities, there is also the added stress of exposing more of our bodies through cooler clothing and swimwear. I admit that I have been struggling with eating disorder behaviors, and I have been extremely anxious about how my body looks as it has changed since I have been in treatment for a little over a year. I am still getting used to how my body looks and feels now and having to wear cooler clothing and swimwear often sends me into a panic and makes it especially hard for me to maintain recovery.
By Ashley Nestler, MSW5 years ago in Psyche
Emotional Block
Since I was a little girl, I looked up to beauty. Aesthetics is the mother of ethics, Brodsky said. I live it in what I do, what I speak, what I think, and what I have to share. But I could never dare to call myself an artist. This question didn't arise even when, during big moves, I packed two suitcases of personal belongings and nine chests of art tools and supplies. To be an artist is a holy mission. I am too little of a human to aspire that high.
By Anastasiia Stu5 years ago in Psyche
