Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
The Edge Of The World
As I step towards the cliff, the wind pushes hard against me. It may have been trying to convince me to go back the way from whence I came. But I have already traveled that path and it led me here. I make my way to the edge, peering down at the steep drop, I am unable to see the end. A thick gray fog blocks my vision, not only from the drop itself but also from what lies beyond. The cliff continues for miles in either direction, but that worries me not. I am exactly where I need to be.
By Destinee Romero5 years ago in Psyche
Living With Mental Health
Living with mental health problems has never been easy for me. Some days are easier than others. Some days I just want to break down and other days I feel like anything is possible. Those are my good days. A lot of the time I have good days. My husband really does try to help on my bad days. I know a lot of people suffer from mental problems too, and I know many of them may not have the support that they need.
By Claudia Nicole Parker5 years ago in Psyche
The Round Table
by Echo Johnson Oh, how I held court. The crowd gravitated to me. I had been holding court for what seemed like a lifetime and then was silenced for what felt like an eternity. One day I came alive again. “She” discovered me and gave me a second shot at what I did best. And that was creating endless bonds with people. All sorts of bonds. New friendships. Extremely difficult conversations. Laughter. Tears. Screams of sorrow and belly laughs so loud, they woke up the entire neighborhood. I was “The Entertainment.” To her, my new owner I was, a brand-new purchase. However, the reality was I was an undervalued steal from the local thrift shop that held so many secrets. Yes, I was small, but I was ordained in mosaic tile with imperfections. I stood proud and I made a statement. My journey with her began about 5 years ago. And this journey was no doubt my favorite one yet.
By Echo Johnson5 years ago in Psyche
Modern Confusion
Trigger Warnings: Emotional Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Depression and Suicide Disclaimer: This is my real life story and experience that has shaped my opinions on the world around me, so I feel entitled to do so. None of my imagery will be graphic as it is likely even more difficult for me to recall than it would be for you to read. If this were a movie, I'd give it a PG-13 rating; however, I know a lot of people with similar life experiences could be thrown back into the vivid emotions and memories of those experiences by reading the following. As such, I recommend that you exercise the level of caution you feel appropriate for the point you are in your life right now. The few names used are shortened to initials to protect the privacy of those involved on both sides.
By Cici Woods5 years ago in Psyche
Control: The Mental Health Issue
Much of my own life in the past seven years has been attempts at fighting off panic attacks, anxiety, depressive episodes where I don't eat more than one small meal a day, or some combination of the three. The therapist I used to see said my anxiety probably stems from some issue (or issues) in my past that I tried to resolve, didn't quite get what I needed in full, and learned to cope with it as best I could at the time. Because of this, my brain chemicals don't function properly--or, at least they don't function how other people's brain chemicals function.
By Alex Prange5 years ago in Psyche
On Seizures
i. Foreword Introduction This is going to be a very long topic. It is going to be a very difficult topic. Not only for me to share. But likely for any of you to hear. Thus, I will steer into the subject with something of a foreword to ease the words to come.
By James Henwood5 years ago in Psyche
Suicide Contagion
Suicidal behavior is complex; many factors lead to someone taking their own life, some of which are almost impossible to do anything about as an outsider looking in. These factors include adverse life events followed by deep depression. Often, a person already experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings may be pushed over the edge by a phenomenon known as suicide contagion. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines suicide contagion as the exposure to suicide or suicidal behaviors within one's family or peer group or through media reports of suicide that can result in an increase in suicide as well as suicidal behaviors. Contagion comes in clusters - suicides that occur close together, whether in time or location. Contagion is an increasingly severe issue that can be prevented only through education. To safely protect potential “victims,” we must understand where the exposure is coming from, reasons people contemplate suicide, and how to approach someone who may be suicidal. With so many personality suicides being prominently displayed, contagion turns self-destruction into more than just an idea.
By Ashley Croban5 years ago in Psyche
My 2021 Year Resolution
I've for a long time of my life, allowed my self conscience and loyalty over-whelm me so an extent that is a lot of times dangerous to my own health, or life completely. This is going to be a story and or short paper that will somewhat shock you or maybe even upset you also make you cry. Maybe, I don't know. I just know that my life has been a lot of things that it shouldn't have been. I have allowed myself to stay in a terrible, unhealthy, and dangerous marriage. I allowed it by letting my conscious and loyalty control me instead of what was happening to me. So it started as my husband painted a picture of someone that he wasn't. As in kind, caring, loving, generous, family and father type. I believed it. Apparently too soon. I should have waited and should have not allowed him to convince me of doing drugs with him. YES!!! DRUGS!!! I allowed him to completely control me. I did drugs with a man I didn't really know, All because I believed this total image of him that I did not give time to learn for myself. Oh and did I forget to mention that I had two kids of my own. Without fathers. So I have given into this man to the point that he has convinced me that I could do these drugs and actually do better in my life. I did not think for long enough to realize that he had just begun reeling me in as I had just begun allowing my loyalty, self-conscience, and his possessive habits to control me. Within a few weeks. I was in hell. Yes!! Hell!! I can not begin to express what I was feeling and you actually know what I was truly feeling. This year is different for me. This year I will not allow anyone and I mean anyone control me the way that this man did. I was married within 6 months. I was starving for food within 2 years. I was cheated on, spit on, abused, violently and physically. I have been through so much. I can't believe that my daughter actually witnessed some of it. I can't believe that I actually stooped that low to let him. I will not ever do that this year. I will not ever from this year forward be the woman that ever feels I need a man to the point of letting my soul be taken away. I am a mother, a woman of God, a strong and passionate human being. When it comes to loyalty and what is important in my life I have finally began to put my God, my kids, and most importantly myself first. I can finally focus on my spirit, my soul, my career, and my children. I do feel like I am someone now. I feel like I can overcome who I was before. The person that let a man that was not truly a real man, that his soul was still a dumb boy, control me over my loyalty in the wrong person. It is over. I am a strong woman this year and I will continue being that. For putting me and my kids first and foremost God first. By letting go of a drug habit that also my husband had attached me to. Yes! I let it all go. I am me now. I am myself beginning this year. I have began a new me and a new life. 2021, here I come. Not just becoming stronger but by having more faith in God and not allowing myself to get wrapped up in this world and the people in it. What it has come to is insane. I will not allow myself to become what this world has become. Which I believe starts with standing up for yourself and not trying to just please everyone around you. Not trying to seek satisfaction in others. Otherwise just be you, be satisfied with being proud of yourself not just being satisfied with what others think of you. Be Yourself and Be Strong!! Be innovative and Be optimistic!! Be a leader and Be a Starter!! Be loyal to yourself!! Thats what I'm doing starting this year!!
By Samantha Rena5 years ago in Psyche
Small Acts of Kindness
My life has been an interesting one. I was the born the illegitimate child of a mentally ill mother and a Middle Eastern father who, for reasons unknown to me, has never been a part of my life. I entered this world a burden on my family and on society. I will tell you that I don’t believe the disfunction began with me. I believe it takes generations of trauma to bring about the kind of disfunction seen within my family and others like us. I think each generation does their best given their individual circumstances but, over time, all the little mistakes they make only get amplified with the next generation and so on. So, to look at my side of the family which includes just myself, my mother, and my grandparents as I had no siblings that I’m aware of, it may have started with my maternal grandmother consuming alcohol during her pregnancy with my mother.
By Diseree Lee Zacher5 years ago in Psyche
