Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
If I Want to Move On...
There were times in my childhood and teenage years when my parents were “absent.” They both left me at times when I was transitioning and when changes were occurring. I should say, it wasn't all bad. I have fond memories with both parents and I'm grateful for the ones I do have. It’s hard for me, having the relationship with them that I do now, to put aside the past and move forward when so much of me is still in pain and hurting. Even in private, only to myself, I find it hard to talk or write about things that bring up painful memories or that might paint my parents in a bad light. Writing this I am knots knowing they might read this and hear me speak my true thoughts. Something I've rarely done with them throughout my life.
By Tabitha White5 years ago in Psyche
Streptococcal Infection and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
For most preschoolers, going to the doctor’s office meant a general check-up, the occasional “I don’t want a shot” tantrum, and a few free stickers and a lollipop after the visit. When I went to the doctor’s office in preschool, it usually meant throat cultures, blood draws and another antibiotic prescription. At around age 4, I began contracting strep throat at least twice per year even with minimal exposure.. When I contracted my first streptococcal infection, I presented with normal symptoms--sore/irritated throat, nausea, and a fever. However, as I continued to contract this bacterial infection repeatedly, I began to show uncommon strep symptoms that presented more like the common cold. Due to this, it became increasingly difficult for my parents and caretakers to recognize the infection. It was perplexing for my family and doctors. They monitored my symptoms closely each time I became sick and I was tested multiple times to determine if I was a carrier for the streptococcal bacteria. However, even with the close monitoring of infections I developed, it was sometimes impossible to tell.
By Abigail Thayer5 years ago in Psyche
Psychology Master's Degree Personal Statement
"I woke up feeling as if I was falling from the sky again last night: head spinning, heart racing — I pulled my knees to my chest waiting for it to end. I felt my kitten lie down next to me and press her tiny, warm body against me, almost as if she knew that I was being attacked from the inside out. I talked myself out of going to the emergency room multiple times in that next hour, repeating over and over, “You’re ok, you can breathe” aloud to myself. As 4 or 5 a.m. hit, I finally fell back asleep after shutting off my alarms and giving up any hope I had the night before of making it to my morning classes.” (Fall 2015 — personal journal excerpt)
By Abigail Thayer5 years ago in Psyche
BPD: Impressionable or Motivated?
Living with Borderline Personality Disorder can be hard, especially when I tend to be really venerable to what others think and say. Maybe it is simply the fact that with BPD, I think others are more worthy than me, therefore, there word means more than my own.
By Katherine Estelle5 years ago in Psyche
Living with a Once Repressed Memory
Okay. Deep breath. Inhale, exhale. Here goes nothing. When I was in kindergarten, a classmate invited me to come behind the curtains with him. We weren’t allowed to hide behind the curtains — it was against the rules. My friend told me not to do it, because if I did I would get in trouble.
By Gillian Sisley5 years ago in Psyche
The Art of Puking in Public Restrooms
There is an art to puking in public restrooms. To start, you must wear average, boring, unrecognizable shoes. If you work in an office building, you must alternate which floor and restroom you use. In the event you run into another person more than once, you must gently pat your stomach and wink.
By Hannah Gerstner5 years ago in Psyche
10 Quotes To Help Strengthen You To Overcome Depression
For anyone who knows me personally, they would know I am currently experiencing what has become the toughest time mentally and emotionally for me, in my entire life to date. This isn't the time or place to share the details about why I find myself in such a dark place right now, however I am not afraid to share with you about how I found myself back in a state of severe depression. It is just a tick over 10 years ago now that I first experienced depression. My life was just completely falling apart, at that point in time. My father had died only a couple of years prior, the relationship I was in was making me immensely unhappy, my financial situation was dire, I was isolated away from my friends and my family, I was surrounded by people who were detrimental to me, but the biggest factor of all was that my job was mentally destroying me. It was during this time I considered suicide, on several occasions. I actually planned out exactly how I was going to do it also. As it turned out, someone came into my life that helped and supported me so greatly, during that time, which ended up being the difference between me still being here, or me having followed through with my intentions. That person ended up becoming my wife. Despite the support she gave though, it wasn't up to her to turn my life around and help me rediscover happiness, that was always my responsibility, and this was the first lesson I learnt in overcoming depression. You have to make some bold decisions, and you have to make changes, otherwise nothing does change.
By David Stidston5 years ago in Psyche
Ratched Netflix Review
When you first meet Nurse Ratched in this series based on Ken Kesey’s ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’, you are introduced to a well-presented woman with style and vigour. But that couldn’t be more untrue. Ratched (Sarah Paulson) portrays the twisted mind behind the nurse and shows the reality of true evil in this sinister and, at times, vulgar Netflix series. How did she be some so cruel? This two-season series aims to tell the tale of the twisted-psyche in this backstory of the 1962 classic.
By Rebecca Elvina Mennell5 years ago in Psyche
