Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Having Depression in a School that Neglects Mental Health
High school, Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, PhD, job, marriage, children... ...and the cycle repeats itself. As a girl born into a brown family, this is the only acceptable life plan. This is what I've worked towards from the moment I learned to read. I was put in the Extended French program at 8 years old so that I could go to a reputable high school, and I went to countless tutors and paid them thousands of dollars to do well in high school, to get into a top Canadian university, which is where I am in my life now.
By Kendall Chaseley6 years ago in Psyche
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition where the person experiences extreme mood swings, emotional highs like hypomania, or lows like depression. In fact, the emotional mood swings might happen rarely or could happen multiple times a year. And while most people might experience emotional symptoms, many of them might not even. But the fact that matters is, bipolar disorder is common. One in a hundred people have been diagnosed across the globe and it does take about 10 years as what experts suggest for one person to find out, the person is bipolar.
By Vishnu Aravindhan6 years ago in Psyche
Depression
Hi I'm Grace, but I go by Gracie. My life is great but is it really? I have the perfect boyfriend; a great house; amazing brothers; parents that took care of me when I was adopted. What could be wrong you ask? Well thats the thing. My life was perfect growing up but complicated. Why do you ask? You see I was born with scolisos and neurofibromatosis as a kid; so with that I had to get two main back surgeries and one neck surgery as a kid. In school I had to get a lot of accommodations too because of my disability; for gym I had to have someone hold my hands on the beam; classes I had to get my homework accomdated because, I could barely understand it; I had a speech teacher because, I could barely read properly. Basically I was in special education throughout my whole life. Seventh grade came for me... Okay you may ask what about it right? Well..
By Gracie Crusinberry6 years ago in Psyche
Broken
My daughter would be dead. The alarm goes off. I wake up. I get dressed. Instead of heading into work like I usually would, I head towards the make-shift dining room office. I boot up my computer. The low glow of the logo illuminates as it loads up for the day.
By Erick Ian Gael6 years ago in Psyche
Starving to Death
My narcissist husband was empty in a way that was very different from my emptiness. I thought that his quest for fuel was insatiable and tragic. The constant need for external validation, for eyes and ears to hear and see, the thirst for attention, the hunger to feast on their adoration.
By NARC Troopers With Prajinta Pesqueda6 years ago in Psyche
Self-Care
One of the things that really helps me cope with the woes of depression is making sure that I can recognize myself in the mirror. It is so easy to go deep into that rabbit hole of weariness where you don't brush your hair, you might skip a shower or two and you haven't washed the three day old makeup off your face. One thing for me is that I would go days without making my bed. I would literally sleep on a bare mattress with my down comforter and felt fine with that. I just didn't have the energy to straighten up my room even if it was to just make my bed. As of Monday, I went almost a month without making my bed. My mom would beg me to stop living like that and I was like "my mattress is clean." Looking back two days later, in my extended moment of melancholy, sleeping on a bare mattress because you can't muster up the energy to carry out day to day activities is not ok and that's why it is so important to remember to embrace SELF-CARE.
By Dishanta Lopez6 years ago in Psyche
The Things We Don't Talk About in the Light
It took a lot of thought and balls to write this and even more to finally post this for the world to see. At times, I feel like any anxiety or depression I feel isn’t worth talking about or not worth it as I see others who have it worse. Tackling this part of me to ask or seek help is the hardest. Like most men, many of us see it as a sign of weakness and not one of strength.
By Matthew Angelo6 years ago in Psyche
Protect Your Peace
In my last post, I spoke about my struggles with depression and how I am on the lighter end of the spectrum as of now. Do you know what it takes to make sure you remain on that end? You can do this by protecting your energies. Actively choose and decide who you will give your energy too and do it diligently because before you know it, you will feel drained and your inner peace will be destroyed. I recently began dating this young man after going on a five year hiatus of not dating and focusing on my career and school. When I met this guy I literally dove head first into this relationship. I said to myself this was it, this is what I want. I showed him my complete and utter devotion and loyalty I had for the relationship and that I didn't take it for granted. Whenever he needed me I was there hand and feet. Boy did he need, but I kept telling myself that if I hold on and show him that I'm in this and I'm not like other women and show him that he can rely on me that he will fill In the gap that he has failed to put his efforts into. Being the vocal individual that I am, I told him how I was feeling and he would give me the I'm sorry and whatever excuse he could fester up. He knew just what to say to keep me holding on... They always do... With anyone rather it's a friend, family member or in my case, a significant other you have to know when to let that person go. I found myself randomly crying and in the most horrible mood. I mean the emotions I was feeling gave depression a run for it's money. This feeling was and still is a mix of rage and sadness with a sprinkle of self worthlessness. I keep wondering what am I doing wrong? Why am I not enough for him? I have no proof of transgressions but I have proof of the lack of respect for me he and what he has for the relationship and I realized that l, that alone was enough. Last week I decided to take a mental health weekend from everyone and it wasn't hard being that a hurricane was coming so it was easy to just disappear in the anticlimactic chaos. During that time alone I was going through so many highs and lows back to back fighting with what was good and what was bad and what I could put up with and what I shouldn't. It got to a point when I was like why am I doing this to myself. By Sunday my eyes were swollen and blood shot, I was emotionally exhausted and decided that this person is really disrupting my peace. No one who claims to love you should have that power or if they do decide to even do so. If anything they should be protecting you and I felt like I was left out to rot and rust. I realize that it wasn't that I was mad at him but that he was breaking my heart, the feelings I was going through was a actual heart break. The last time I ever felt this way was five years ago where I allowed someone to disrupt my peace and that's when I began to experience depression. That's when I didn't allow myself to love or be loved and became selfish and only cared about myself. I don't want to be that person again. I don't want to miss out on any blessings that could come in the form of my potential life partner, my soulmate, my husband. I couldn't allow him to ruin me to the point that I didn't want to give my energy away again. There is nothing wrong with giving your energies away as long as it is for the right people but when it comes to a point that your peace is being defecated on, you have to let go. Just let go.
By Dishanta Lopez6 years ago in Psyche
Child Development
To understand how someone becomes who they are, one must be able to observe the way they develop their social interactions. Looking back on my own social development creates a realization that without the social interactions and my own reactions I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Humans are social beings, that is why the individuals that make up their social groups, whether it is their parents, siblings, teachers, or school mates, helps create who they become and why they become that. I remember when everything was new and I also remember when I began testing the limitations with my parents and teachers to determine what I could get away with and what I can realistically do. As a toddler I only took the amount of cookies given to me by my mom but as I reached the age of six or so, I began getting my own cookies as a snack after school. Though I knew I was only allowed three, I began taking four or five because I realized I could sneak the extras when my parents weren’t home or not paying attention. I did this until I was caught and I received a punishment. This set a limitation in my mind that I can only take cookies I’m allowed to or else suffer the consequences.
By Katelind Sky6 years ago in Psyche
How Did Ritalin Become a Lifestyle Drug?
Our world is characterized by competition and pressure to perform. Knowledge has become the most crucial resource in modern societies. Increasing pressure to perform and the ever more rapid change in what one can and must know lead many people to a feeling of permanent overload.
By René Junge6 years ago in Psyche
