Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Psyche.

It starts with a breakdown.
This starts at the point were I referred myself for a mental health assessment in September. The start of this year was promising, probably said by everyone at this point but we are living through history.
By Scarlett Randell5 years ago in Psyche
I Have Asperger's
I have Asperger’s. Better explained as a form of autism that makes you speak out of turn or about trains or unicorns or whatever peaks their interest. Usually, there is one interest that really makes someone with autism really entertained. Mine has always been psychology or cures of some sort, I like to fix people or make them see the best in themselves. Doesn’t seem bad right…well you’re wrong. I go to the absolute extreme meaning I date people to fix them or I find friends that need fixing. Most of my friends at one point needed help fixing themselves or had something wrong with them that I could somehow help with.
By Alex Moran5 years ago in Psyche
Decisions, Decisions..
I have this interesting idea to post some of my short-stories/free-writing stuff here as well. I think it will ultimately help me grow as a writer and I like the idea that a piece of me will be out there in the void of the Internet and whoever comes across it, comes across it. Whoever doesn't, well...I guess they just don't see it?
By Abstract Ammy 5 years ago in Psyche
The Life Of A Drug Addict
It all started around age 4, My fist addiction. The very first addiction I had was pretending to be okay, when I wasn't okay. You would think at that age I wouldnt have much understanding on what was going on around me, but I did. I understood that my father was an alcoholic, I also understood the pain my mother felt every time he abused her. I understood how scared I was, but my father is a good man. My daddy was an addict just like me, no matter the denial he still has to this day. I will say if it wasn't for rehab and learning that he did the best that he could I probably wouldn't think that as im typing it here and now at age 26. Due to my fathers alcoholism, his neglect and my mothers jealousy and neglect, I have endured a life time of pain. I have escaped reality my entire life, so much so I still have yet to find my identity. I have pretended to be okay when I wasn't to the point I was being whoever or whatever I had to, to ensure no one knew I was not okay. Age 5 was the first time one of my fathers friends snuck into my bedroom while my mother and him argued in his drunken stuper. What happened in that room, what happened to me and why it happened to me, I did not understand. Why this man and many others till age 11 did this to me, I did not understand. Why my older brother also went through what I did, but also began to do it to me, I still do not understand. Why do I hate myself instead of those men? Why is it so easy for me to let go of there faces and what they did, but I can not look in the mirror without being disgusted. All these years I've kept it a secret. No one knew I was not okay. No one knew at age 6 I tried committing suicide for the first time, besides the preditor I couldn't escape from, for a life time. Who knew that such a monster refused to let me die and cut me down from the rope I hung down from, who knew that two years later he would bring home his older friends from the neighborhood to do with me as they pleased. At this point I started getting old enough to try and defend myself, but even then I was still his pray. I couldn't escape, until the day I found alcohol. Age 11 I am a full blown drunk. I'd fill water bottles full of vodka and steal my dads gum from his lunch box to get me through the school day. On the weekends I would get drunk till I blacked out to try and forget everything. Alcohol was my second addiction.
By Andrena Woodson5 years ago in Psyche
Black Dog
Black Dog has kept me company for 15 years. He first came into my life when I was studying Law. It was as if he knew he needed to be there. One day, I just woke up, and there he was, sitting at the end of my bed. He needed company so I stayed in bed with him all day. I fed him, gave him water and a nice comfy place by my side wrapped in thick, soft blankets. I tried to find a home for Black Dog but no one else would take him so I kept him, accepted him as my responsibility. My companion. My enabler.
By Sarah5 years ago in Psyche
Have You a Sufficient Substitute?
Like any old tradition, 12 step programs have their problems. Introduce a profit-driven machine like capitalism, and something as misunderstood as addiction, and there are bound to be unintended consequences. Some people even think that pharmaceutical companies induced addiction to sell more medicine. I think that some people react to drugs differently than other people, and the reward system can be reconfigured partway through life. But I also think that the brain has the capability to rewire itself; we are different people at different parts of our lives.
By omg0d5 years ago in Psyche
Projecting my trauma unto loved ones
I got out of the shower and told my son to get his sister because it was bedtime (10:30 pm). Alexandar ran to grandma's room and came back "um, grandma said she wasn't in there" I walked throughout the house calling her name and she was nowhere to be found.
By Jayme Rios5 years ago in Psyche
Living with Bi-Polar Disorder
In July I got the news that I have depressive bi-polar disorder. I've already been on two medications for my depression for years, but something was always missing. I knew there was always another bit of me that was affecting my life, but I didn't know what.
By Nicole Herst5 years ago in Psyche
Professionals Don't Always Know Best
For years, I was plagued with physical illness's like nausea and headaches. Sometimes my migraines would be so bad that I would fall to the ground and just squeeze my temples, waiting for it to end. My nausea would be so bad that I had to stay in my bed all day, unable to even enjoy a simple car ride. Everything I ate, made me bloated and sick. This was an every day thing for me, not like it stopped me from eating food or anything, I always kept up with eating, I LOVE food. That is why I was so upset. I went to the doctor every few months for blood work, my primary care doctor had me on Zofran for years for nausea. She gave that to me about 5 years ago and still to this day, I get nausea on a daily. I have gone through periods where I had acid reflex and could not eat ANYTHING with citrus at all or else it would just come right back up. I was SO tired and just wanted answers.
By Katherine Estelle5 years ago in Psyche
Is Veganism an Eating Disorder?
First, let’s define what is meant by “disorder.” Lack of order or regular arrangement; confusion. An irregularity; “a disorder in legal proceedings.” Breach of order; disorderly conduct; public disturbance. A disturbance in physical or mental health or functions; malady or dysfunction.
By Resistance Quest Fitness5 years ago in Psyche
Wake Up Call
There comes a moment in one's life where we wonder where we went wrong. I will tell you this, it hits you hard and mine was probably more literal than metaphorical. I spent 10 long years with my abuser, even married him. We had four kids together and I often wondered how the hell I got there.
By Amy Bellows5 years ago in Psyche
I am not shy… I am an introvert!
I watch my phone ring and ring and ring. Wait for it to stop and sigh with relief. I hate, and I do not use this word lightly, talking on the phone. Want me to respond to you? Text me and I will invite you to a texting marathon. Hi, I am an introvert and this is my struggle.
By Nisha Nandakumar5 years ago in Psyche