Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Read This When You Want to Drink
In my earliest days of recovery, when I was the must gung-ho about turning a new leaf and writing a new chapter, there was a voice in the back of my head that kept telling me I wouldn’t succeed. It wasn’t telling me it was only a matter of time before I picked up another drink, but rather telling me that I would get this under control and be able to drink again one day. It romanticized my drinking and made me think of nights spent reading by a fireplace-glass of wine in hand, sitting oceanside with a tall, tropical drink I had yet to try, watching a baseball game, beer in hand, surrounded by laughing friends, and having (truly) just one Bloody Mary with the rest of the family Christmas morning.
By Emily Christyson6 years ago in Psyche
Don't Wait
I sit here today feeling accomplished and generally happy. I feel ambitious, positive, healthy and capable. Tomorrow may shine a different light on my life, so I close my eyes and tell myself to live in the moment. The impending doom that I try so hard to avoid every day will eventually make an appearance. It might not be today, tomorrow, or even a few weeks from now, but the feeling of being swallowed up by the whole world and sucked into a deep pit of despair will rear its evil head. I believe that acceptance and being aware of what that looks like before it consumes you is key to surviving this whirlwind of a disorder: BPD. Borderline Personality Disorder.
By Keisha Wilson6 years ago in Psyche
When Is a Disability Not a Disability?
His formal diagnosis was in 1989, but he had been struggling far longer than that. Depression continues to strangle his potential and smother all joy. Counselor after counselor, doctor after doctor, every medication known to man, two hospital stays—nothing has diminished half a century of torment.
By Joelle White6 years ago in Psyche
My Brain Is a Mess
When I was 14 years old my world almost ended. I was in a horrific accident where I was close to losing my life. But I didn't, and I spent the next five years trying to figure out why. I was considered lucky, all things aside. On the outside you cannot tell really that I have gone through anything terrible. On the inside I am a mess.
By Hannah Elliott6 years ago in Psyche
The Epidemic of Toxic Relationships
It seems the past two decades have created a legion of diverse narcissists. Although, as humans, we're all capable of narcissism from time to time, what I want to explain clearly in this article is the stark difference between healthy narcissism and the toxic narcissism that creates very toxic relationships that never seem to end well (and they all end at some point).
By Michelle Arbeau6 years ago in Psyche
Coffee and Cognitive Functions
Although legally sold all over the world, caffeine is the most popular psychoactive substance worldwide. According to Healthline, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that about 80 percent of US adults take some form of caffeine on a daily basis.
By Christos Poulakis6 years ago in Psyche
Not Feeling Good Enough
I spend a lot of time paralysed by a voice in my head that tells me I’m not good enough or not worthy to follow my ambitions. Some days I lose hours battling with it to get the simplest of things done and it often leaves me wishing I had an off switch for my brain or a way to completely check out of thinking for a while.
By Alicia Brunskill6 years ago in Psyche
Adult Addicts Living with Parents
Parents want their grown addicted children to live at home. Why? So they can cure them? Because they feel responsible? It’s their parental obligation? They feel it is in their power and control to heal them? If they are diligent, they can keep their child out of harms way? Constantly asking themselves or God, “Where did I/we go wrong”? And finally, that really big ‘What if’ question’. What if I put them out on the street, and while they are out there, they die? What if they die from an overdose, or suicide, or at the hands of someone else? These are really BIG questions. Now let’s expose some of these fear thoughts.
By Charlotte Kratchmer6 years ago in Psyche
Things to Spend Your Money on If You Have Any Kind of Anxiety
Since I’m writing for the Psyche section right now, I wanted to talk anxiety. You can’t realistically say you have zero stressors in life nor any kind of anxiety. I mean, we’re in the modern age where people are screaming at you things to BUY to compensate for your out-of-control-mind. THAT’s where we’re at in 2019.
By Paige Bird6 years ago in Psyche
