Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Psyche.

Sickening Nostalgia
As I sit in his office, Dr. K. I begin to think of the bullshit that got me here. Almost every time I come to these exhausting appointments, I break down. Getting help never hurt so much. The innocence taken from me, starting when I was young, could never be given back. Boys with their clammy, but still soft hands because they aren’t even old enough to truly sit before a judge on their own and not old enough for their hands to gain callus from working so hard, but old enough to know that touching little girls is... gross. I tell myself I forgive them. But is it true? Is it possible to really forgive boys who took this much from you to where when you walk in an office that society thinks is for crazy people YOU even get stared down. Bitch yes, I’m crazy. But so are you so look away from me before I use the anger that has boiled in me from tragedies like these. Tragedies that make me start to tear up to even be looked at for longer than a glimpse because I can’t fucking stand someone thinking that they have power over my body again. Tragedies that have made me this paranoid. But still, I get up, I go to work, and I make my living. My parents always fussed at me for half- assing things but what else can you do on mornings when you’ve spent the night fighting off those flashbacks that you have yet to get used to after an entire decade and longer? Sometimes, half- assing is all I have the power to do. My obsessive compulsive disorder says brushing your teeth just long enough for you to have the ability to look at the very person you are absolutely disgusted with. My obsessive compulsive disorder screams that it is not long enough to brush my teeth as long as I can stand to see my own wreckage. But my depression... see, she’s something serious. Somehow, she has that optimistic side when it comes to brushing my teeth. She comforts me, “at least you don’t have morning breath anymore. Tastes a little mintier baby girl.” She has a way of comforting me when I know I cannot put forward much. She has a good way of telling me that at least I did a little. She is the definition of manipulation. She will reel you in making you TRY the positive outlook thing, and then she’ll giggle with Anxiety, and wreck your whole fuckin day. Well... is it depression or the optimistic little girl that was never able to rise up? Does she still want to think happy thoughts to get her out of this abyss? She was so honest and gentle and sweet. By middle school, she became the kid that had to do mandatory anger management counseling. The anger harbored in her... in me, and took control. To this day, that sweet, innocent girl is still there, who has learned how to tame the anger a little more, and continues to stay honest and true. She... I mean.. I, I love endlessly. So I think it is true. I think I have forgiven them. But I have not, and never will, forget them. Forgiveness, for me, was personal. Those boys have not been seen since before I hit double digits, so what would they even gain from MY forgiveness? It was and still is, all for me. I forgive them so that I can forgive myself because in this mentality bestowed upon me... I blame myself. This is reality. No matter how many people say it’s not my fault or I could not control it, my mind will tell me that somehow my young, tiny, weak body could have done more. And I know, if the world ended today...it would be my fault.
By Sweet Mk 6 years ago in Psyche
Addiction.
Addiction. A couple of months ago, on the brink of football season ending, I visited my favourite coffee shop in the morning, where I do most of my writing. The Penny on First Avenue. The Penny became one of the key places in my journey with writing, however, the point of this piece is not to sing praises to a coffee shop, but rather to talk about the connections I’ve made there. As a very inclusive and warm environment, The Penny often attracts outcasts alike- people that long for a sense of community, a sense of belonging. That wasn’t the case for me per se. What attracted me to that place was the fact that it is a very healthy working environment. I can’t do my writing within the comfortable confines of my room. My inner self requires that I go out somewhere and do it.
By Alex Barbu6 years ago in Psyche
Suicide and the Mental Health Connection
What a word, suicide. There are so many of us people who think about this time and again. I know that it has crossed my mind a few times during my life so far. I think that most just talk about it to get attention from people. The thing about it is to me it is an easy way out. I have had three friends do it and getting over it is something that is hard. The many questions like could I have done something to stop it and when it happens we feel guilty. If you have never had to deal with it you can’t imagine what it is like.
By James Yeo6 years ago in Psyche
Break Through Mental Health Slumps
It is no secret that I suffer from the effects of anxiety and depression. I have struggled with the grips of these illnesses since I was a child. Lately, my mood has been less then ideal. I've been agitated, fatigued, panicked, and full of pain. There are many nights I sleep very little and quite a few days I have to fight to make any sort of progress. Self care helps. I do practice taking time for me where I can, trying to do activities I enjoy. I make a solid effort most days to get up, get dressed, shower, do my hair and makeup. I follow a pretty consistent schedule which is helpful.
By Tierni Marie6 years ago in Psyche
WHY YOU SHOULD NOT COMMIT SUICIDE IF YOU SUFFER FROM A MENTAL ILLNESS
Your life matters! Please, put down that gun. Please, don’t swallow those pills. Please do not cut yourself. You are a great person. An inspiration to us all. We need you to stay alive and fight through whatever it is that you are going through. You may not believe it, but it is, in fact, true. Your life has significant value to those that are around you. You may feel like you are alone, and you may feel like nobody cares. However, that is furthest from the truth. The reality is that those that love and care about you will be there for you.
By Carlin Hertz6 years ago in Psyche
Trout
There was a rainbow trout who lived in the babbling brook. Maggie was born that summer; the trout was a year older than her.
By Luke Logan6 years ago in Psyche
Flying my drone to help with PTSD symptoms
A few years ago I was diagnosed with PTSD by the doctors at the VA hospital. I’m a Veteran from the Iraq war and have had a few problems since my return home. I had begun talking to a Dr about my symptoms and they tried medication after medication to get my mood, anxiety, depression and so forth in Check. I still had a lack of interest in really doing any activity that I had previously enjoyed. That’s where I started to think of something different and ended up buying a drone. I got a good one, not one of these that crash every few seconds. I got one that took video and photos in high definition, because that was one of the biggest reasons I wanted one is to take beautiful pictures from the sky. I believe that taking pictures of your loved ones, nice sky’s, scenery, etc is a good healing tool and it’s fun to fly also. I traveled around some and have been able to take a quite a few good pictures of family events, of beautiful scenery and of things that people need to sell, like houses and property. That always seemed to take away a lot of my stress and made my depression symptoms not as bad.
By Steve Postalwait6 years ago in Psyche
Diary of a Psychologist
Today was day one back from holidays and it was a busy start. With 8 clients scheduled in and a phone that rang or received frequent texts for new appointment requests. I have been a Psychologist for nearly 20 years now and everyday my practice gets busier. Humans are struggling and the demand is growing.
By Em 6 years ago in Psyche
Help is here
If you are in immediate DANGER or fear for your safety, please CALL 911. ITS OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP VictimLink at 1-800-563-0808.
By Danika harnett 6 years ago in Psyche
When trance hijacking or doing conversational hypnosis I use a variation of this technique almost every time
The Point Fixation Induction is a hypnotic storyteller's and covert operator's bread and butter. As I work on the new hypnosis book I am going out to bring a hypnotic or trance experience to others. I'm collecting transcripts of the experience so that beginners will have context on how to approach people and examples of what can be done on the spot out in the field. One of the questions I am constantly asked is how to find people to practice these skills. I want this book to demonstrate that opportunities are all us.
By Joseph Crown6 years ago in Psyche
Working with Hypnotic Regression, Progression, and Association
What I am sharing with you all here today is a first draft on the chapter of Working with Hypnotic Regression, Progression, and Association for my new book. In sharing this I am opening up an invitation for other MCs and Hypnotists to share how you are practicing your art in these areas. Don't hold back share your goals for what you want to explore with your write up/transcript and what the results were if you performed it. You just might be offered the opportunity to have your work showcased in my next book. Enjoy the draft and I hope it inspires you.
By Joseph Crown6 years ago in Psyche
Perfection kills
When harmless cleaning routines, hygiene and list making behaviours once deemed to be positive implementations into life, turn into the catalyst of unhealthy, ritualistic and life threatening behaviour...
By anonymous 6 years ago in Psyche