Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
A Toxic Kind of Love
I'm laying in a hospital bed, spilling my guts. I'm telling my family everything about Ben. Things I was never able to tell them due to being kept away from everyone. I share about the drugs, I share about the abuse, I share about the forced shoplifting (I'll get into that more here soon). My mind was a literal melted bowl of ice cream at this time. I thought I had almost died via OD like a week prior and that a demon jumped into my body while I was at the brink of death to save me and inhabit my soul. I remember even telling my grandmother that I am bisexual. Something I swore to never tell her because I was afraid she would stop loving me. I told all of my deepest secrets, about how I've needed help for a long time. I shared about how I was raped at 15, and how I was kidnapped and sexually abused by a "boy-friend" at 17. The look of shock and sadness in my grandmothers eyes will never leave me. I will forever have the look of my mothers serious yet saddened eyes as she tells me to never do something like this again. I knew she was frightened, and I knew she was hurt. I knew that I caused that by my selfish actions. I was eventually whisked away to a mental rehabilitation hospital, Hickory Trail.
By Ashley Starkweather5 years ago in Psyche
How to Spot the Signs of Addiction
Many people think that if their loved one was struggling with addiction, they would know right away. Many people don’t even think about what addiction looks like until they have been personally and deeply affected by it. However, addiction is a complex and sometimes sneaky disease that isn’t always easy to identify in the early stages. That being said, identifying addiction early on is critical, because the sooner a person gets treatment, the better.
By Hailey Parks5 years ago in Psyche
The Spider and the Dragonfly
Good morning my darlings, how are we all today? Breath, remember to breathe, you're not alone, I know it feels like that sometimes, and I know how it can destroy a day, a week, or a month. I promise there is light at the end of the tunnel just not in the way you might think. The light is coming from you, not the end of your journey. After all, as Budha said there is no end, just new beginnings. Each depended on your own karma. I hold onto that, it gives me comfort. I used to feel alone, which is somewhat true. We come into this earth alone and naked, and we end that life the same way. You take nothing and nobody with you. I came from a very violent traumatic childhood that shaped how I grew from a child to adolescent, to an adult. I am still working hard to change the pathways in my brain, find better, healthier defense mechanisms to ‘Save myself’ from situations, in fact from mostly everything. I have good days where I bounce out of bed, and get the day started. Today isn’t one of them, but I have learned to use tools, coping strategies. I say this with respect, but no one can save you but you. I like that saying. I am in my late forties, and have suffered from multiple mental health issues. I used to go to the doctor, hoping for help, or councollers. And some were good, some were terrible. My first stay in a phyciatric unit was in a small community, Sechelt BC. I went in feeling drained, afraid and suicidal. I was expecting.. I'm not sure what I expected, other than simply help a little bit of compassion and understanding. I was mortified to find out it's not always the case. Talk about bursting a bubble. The nurses were tired and overworked, there were a few nice people, but one thing I learned was that doctors, therapists, nurses they are all just human beings with their own damaged psyche. Some are just able to hide it better than me. After two days, I was told I had to leave. I was shocked, I still felt bad, felt like killing myself and they were going to send me home. I did something I never had before. I begged. I begged with tears streaming down my face, please do not release me yet I told this psychiatrist. I knew in my heart I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t feeling strong enough to be out on my own. My family hadn’t come to see me, no one said anything, mental health was a dirty little secret that no one wants to admit or talk about. I was alone. After an exchaused sigh he looked right at me and said if your going to kill yourself, get it over with. My mouth dropped open, how could anyone say something so cruel, A physiatrist at that. To this day, his words haunt me every morning I wake up.
By MoriaCavandish5 years ago in Psyche
How Art Therapy Is Used to Help People Heal
The use of artistic methods to treat psychological disorders and enhance psychological state is understood as art therapy. It may surprise you to find out that artists are often an efficient tool in psychological state treatment. What could art possibly need to do with psychotherapy? As an expressive medium, art is often wont to help clients communicate, overcome stress, and explore different aspects of their personalities.
By Stanley Ren5 years ago in Psyche
This Is How Donald Trump Contributes To The Stigma of Drug Addiction
There were many reasons why watching the first presidential debate was infuriating. Donald Trump’s childish tantrums and displays of disrespect were worse than usual. I’ve seen grade-schoolers with better impulse control and guests on the Jerry Springer show behave better than he did during his first live debate with the former Vice President.
By Alyssa Sprague5 years ago in Psyche
Things One Should Check Before Downloading A Mental Health App
Mental health is one of the main issues among young people. There are over a million children and youth who are dealing with mental illness in Canada alone. According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), around 75% of people who have a mental illness do not have access to specialized treatment.
By Jack thomson5 years ago in Psyche
Healing a Bleeding Heart
Having my heart broken is one of the worst experiences I have had as a person living with borderline personality disorder (BPD). When my heart is broken, I can’t describe it as “feeling sad.” I honestly don’t know if I have ever just felt “sad.” Rather, I feel like the pain is tearing me apart from my core, inside out, and my only thoughts of reprieve from the pain are suicidal.
By Ashley Nestler, MSW5 years ago in Psyche
An Impulsive Mind
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental illness classified by nine different diagnostic criteria, five of which an individual must meet to be diagnosed. However, there are various other signs of BPD that add to the complexity of the condition.
By Ashley Nestler, MSW5 years ago in Psyche
Eating disorders
Before I met my wife she was hiding away from the world, locked up in her bedroom. If she went out she would wait till is pitch dark so no one will be able to see her. She was very emotional a lot of the time, she had no job nothing going for her in her life. The worst part of it all was that no one understood her illness.
By Zamir Hanif5 years ago in Psyche
What is BPD, and how do we control it?
Please note that I am not a doctor and this is only my interpretation of the disorder itself. I am in no way qualified to diagnose anyone or tell anyone that they have Borderline Personality Disorder. If you think you have BPD, please consult a doctor for diagnosis. This is purely for informational purposes. I am also in no way sponsored by anyone or any product mentioned here.
By Dylan Satterfield5 years ago in Psyche
