Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
5 Things You Should Know Before Talking About Your Mental Illness:
While I’ve suffered from mental illness most of my life, I haven’t always understood how important it is to really be heard by the people in my life. The idea of talking about what I go through with others never seemed to be an option. Regardless, suffering alone is quite, well, lonely. Since opening up about my issues with chronic mental illness, I’ve received a bounty of love and support and also a heaping load of trash.
By Harley Myers6 years ago in Psyche
20 Major Signs of Poor Mental Health at Any Age to Never Ignore
We’ve all heard of mental health diagnoses like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Sometimes, the first signs of mental illness are seen in decreased functioning. This might appear as bad grades, poor work performance, failing to express whats going on internally, and avoiding people for long periods of time.
By Silena Le Beau6 years ago in Psyche
New Weight Watchers Program Encourages Eating Disorders in Kids Ages 8-17
I was 8 years old when I started my first ever diet, Weight Watchers. Before I had finished growing or hit puberty, I was already trying to make myself smaller. This sparked a long journey of crash dieting, disordered eating, starvation, and body dysmorphia. My parents were only doing what they thought was best, guided by the poor advice of a medical professional. If you are familiar with my story, then you know that they had already lost one daughter at this point. I think my changing body was a reminder of my mortality to them. I think we were all existing in a system that preyed upon this fear. I already had so much of my childhood taken away from me through the trauma of losing my little sister. Diet culture was right there to swoop in and take what little childhood I had left.
By Kate Chessy6 years ago in Psyche
A Quick Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder
You may have never heard about Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). It’s not something that’s often talked about in wider society, but as someone who works in Pediatrics (young people’s health services) I hear the term used frequently. I even have the disorder myself. A lot of children and adults don’t know about the condition until they come to our services, so I decided to write a brief explanation of what the condition is, and what it means for adults and children with the condition.
By Nathaniel Corns6 years ago in Psyche
Someone Saved My Life Tonight
I just completed a 12 hour shift. I'm tired. I'm aggravated... It's cold outside... I'm exhausted, and now the key to the back door of my apartment is stuck, and the door won't un-lock. What do I do? Out of frustration, I started kicking the shit out of the bottom of the door, cursing at the same time, while still wiggling the only key I own out of the key-hole. I don't have a spare, because I lost it at work, and was too lazy to go to a locksmith to have a duplicate made. Once the lock unjammed, and the door opened, I entered my apartment even more aggravated than ever. I removed my department-issued gun, and placed it on the end table inside the living room like I always do. I went inside the bathroom to towel myself off from standing in the rain, when briefly, looked in the mirror and saw that my eyes were blood shot.
By Michael Ashton6 years ago in Psyche
Emily's Journal
8-14-19 Hello to all that might stumble upon this tragedy of a diary. I recently have been advised by my therapist to start writing again, particularly about my day. I thought it odd at first, but he said it will help me to differentiate between reality and what's in my head. Maybe it will help you if you see it in writing, he said to me. So obviously, this is trial and error, because giving meds is usually his last resort with his patients, or so he tells me.
By Listen Inn6 years ago in Psyche
My Post-Trauma Journey: Part 2
Acceptance is the phase that takes the most effort. And by that I mean, you've really got to work at it. It doesn't come naturally. For me, the acceptance came when I finally had to name my experience. That was the single step that started the journey. Saying it that single time emboldened me to take action over what I could do in the aftermath.
By McKenna Kline6 years ago in Psyche
A Look into the Life of Someone with Anxiety
I was nineteen going on twenty when I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Deep down, my whole life, I had a feeling I had anxiety but no one likes a self diagnoser. I finally took a step out of my comfort zone and asked my mother if she truly trusted her doctor. I asked her if he was good. I told her how I really felt around people, I knew or didn't know, places that were new to me, doing things on my own without someone else's assistance. I despised talking on the phone with anyone, even now. I would get nervous and mess up my words when I spoke. Leaving voicemails was a struggle because my mind would go blank and I wouldn't be able to remember what I was supposed to say. I get nervous when being questions at the doctor because I can never remember my family's medical history. I get anxiety when I get voicemails from people or when I get mail. I fear that it would be something bad.
By Dalaney Mendes6 years ago in Psyche
Survivor
My name is Jodi-Lynn and this is my story. I was born December 2nd 1973 in the state of New Hampshire. I wish I could give more details, yet I have none. My parents tell me I belong to them, yet I know in my heart who my true mom is. I have yet to discover who my father is, and I probably never will. I have felt like an outsider my whole life and have discovered some facts that don't add up. I have caught my family in lies and watched them quickly create new lies to cover. I have been given information by innocent bystanders who had no idea the clue they had given me. Yet with all the deception, I have been able to piece together some of the truth.
By Jodi-lynn Piper6 years ago in Psyche
