Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Does the Past Become the Future
So, in order to fully understand what it is like to be in my shoes, we are going to have to travel back in time a bit. Actually, more than a bit, like 40 years or so. I know, just bear with me for a moment or two and you will understand why I have to go back this far. This is my story after all, and one that I feel needs to be shared.
By Mike Cunningham7 years ago in Psyche
Bipolar Penpals
My aunt, who, like me, struggles with mental illness (me, bipolar disorder, her chronic depression). We've begun to exchange letters to track our comings and goings in hopes of at least to keep a steady diary charting our moods, at most to offer one another consolation and guidance to live fuller, more stable lives.
By Ryan Ziemba7 years ago in Psyche
Narcan Saves Lives
There a lot of issues that are stigmatized in society, whether it be mental illness, drugs, or other various health issues. That is just to name a few and I am sure there are tons more. So, why did society become that way? Was society always so intolerant or naive to these issues?
By Marissa Hall7 years ago in Psyche
The Ever-Changing State of Mind
I don’t feel anything. Nothing matters to me. I’m feeling more than I can. Everything matters more than it should. Everything is at stake. Meh, I don’t care much about it. Whatever. Why can’t I stop thinking about everything? I need to calm down. Wow, this is weird. I can barely express anything. I don’t feel like doing anything. I feel so stagnant. Oh GOD why!! Why can’t I stop feeling so terrible? I just want to cry. I don’t know how to stop. Why do people have reactions? I barely have any reactions. Wait, why don’t I react to things? I don’t understand why I overreact so much. Why can’t I control my emotions? Where are my emotions? Why? What is happening to me? What is happening to me…………...…?
By Gourav Bhattacharya7 years ago in Psyche
Addiction
Addiction is a great, compulsive, and uncontrollable interest in a thing or action, or a strong desire to have something. Other sources defined it as an enslavement to a behavior, practice, or action that creates a habit either physically or psychologically. Addiction to something makes an individual abnormally dependent on it to such an extent that he/she cannot live without it. In an attempt to shun life stressors and other daily routines through the use of drugs and other activities, one can get so addicted to them that he/she will no longer be able to lead a normal life without them. An accurate definition of addiction, however, is dependent on both, the person asking the question and common beliefs and norms. The current essay seeks to discuss the brunt of addiction to the society, explaining why the society puts up with the impact of addiction.
By Samanta Woods7 years ago in Psyche
Lost in a World That Maybe Doesn't Want Me
How does one "talk" to a therapist? Like, I never understood how to unload on them with anything. I know I need to see one. I've needed to see one for a lot of things. Not being good socially, I feel makes it difficult for me to just be like, "Hey, this this this this." I don't—I don't know.
By Kota Wolfe7 years ago in Psyche
Mental Health - Depression Is Real
Depression is a real issue and I feel it is an issue that is not really handled until it is too late. I myself struggle with it on a day to day basis, and it causes me to be even more anxious than I already am. Alongside being on the spectrum, it feels very difficult.
By Kota Wolfe7 years ago in Psyche
Blinding Darkness
I remember thinking about it.... I remember wondering what it would be like to leave. I remember wondering if I would go to hell for doing this. After all, the nun said it was a sin. I remember thinking I didn't want to burn in hell. Multiple times a week, when I was in a place I didn't want to be... having to babysit my youngest siblings who were 6 that June, while I was 14. Taking them for a walk to the corner store for popsicles, while my friends were at the park; hanging out, laughing and having fun. My middle brothers able to go out, play baseball and be with their friends. I was told it was my duty as the oldest of 5 children to help with the younger ones when my father had to work 2 jobs and my mother had to work a night job. Feeling detached from the social circle, but more than that, feeling so different and freakish at almost 6 feet at 14 years old. Maybe I didn't belong there anyway. After all, I was tall, skinny, and ugly and they were pretty. They had boys paying attention to them. No one looked or talked to me like that.
By Patricia Heitz7 years ago in Psyche
Natural Remedies to Alleviate Symptoms of Anxiety
Anxiety disorder is considered a nervous condition that is brought on when a person is experiencing an overwhelming feeling of fear, doubt, uncertainty, nervousness, and apprehension. Symptoms associated with anxiety attacks are irritability, restlessness, racing thoughts, nervous tremors, inability to concentrate or focus, and sweating. Although anxiety is a normal reaction when one is faced with challenging situations, some people struggle with more intense anxiety, which can be disabling because of the frequency of the attacks and the uncertainty of when the attack will take place. Most people diagnosed with anxiety disorder have a very difficult time performing daily routines and maintaining healthy relationships. There are many forms of anxiety disorders and quite a few risk factors that can cause the development of anxiety disorders. People who suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder suffer from excessive fear and worry more days a week than normal, and can last longer than six months. Those who suffer from Panic Attacks can experience an unexpected occurrence of symptoms, which are brought on by triggers, which may bring back memories of bad situations, causing the person to be fearful about their current situation.
By Mia Morales7 years ago in Psyche
Anxious
I started seeing a counselor when I was still in high school. However, I didn't start getting panic attacks until the late '90's. They snuck up on me. At first I didn’t know what they were. I was depressed at first. The anxiety came later. By 2000, I knew I was having panic attacks. I was misdiagnosed as bipolar, back then.
By Maria Ayala7 years ago in Psyche
What Rachel Hollis Gets Wrong
Let me start this with a big, fat disclaimer: I LOVE Rachel Hollis. Seriously! I have recommended my friends, family, and acquaintances to her books since I have finished them. I would not even be writing this if it wasn’t for her. She has been a HUGE inspiration to me in following my dreams, and I can’t thank her enough for that. I have read and reread her wisdom through her writing, YouTube channels, and social media platforms. I am a Rachel Hollis fan. There is just one issue I have about her message that I cannot get on board with. So just know when I am discussing what I think Rachel gets wrong, it is coming from a place of love and genuine concern. I wouldn’t even feel compelled to write this if I didn’t feel that this particular message she puts out could actually be harmful. Because the fact is, Rachel Hollis is drowning in diet culture and fatphobia.
By Kate Chessy7 years ago in Psyche
