Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Labels
Usually, when people give someone or something a label, they are trying to describe the person or object. One might label to help define what is going on around them. One might be trying to make sense of what’s occurring. It is human nature to label things and people, and it can occur without the person acknowledging that they are doing so. In the book Drunk Tank Pink, written by Adam Alter, he delves into the definition of labels, stating, “In the 1930s, Benjamin Whorf argued that words shape how we see objects, people, and places (29)”. Many people do not realize that while they are quickly assessing what is in front of them, they could be judging or assigning a negative label. Labels are powerful, in a sense that they could begin to affect how the person or object is perceived. Alter also states, “Labels are harmful to the extent that they become associated with meaningful character traits (34)”. Common labels can potentially turn into stereotypes, which is unfortunately unavoidable. If one would educate themselves before making an assumption, labels and stereotypes can become more positive and accurate.
By Airika Lewis7 years ago in Psyche
Analyzing Teenage Cultural Issues
Whether it is a breaking news story, or a current social media trending topic, teen issues are always being discussed. In today’s society, their cultural issues have changed, making it hard to relate, and understand what teens are going through. Because of the ignorance, their issues are talked down upon, or blamed on the teenager’s hormones. They are also blamed on their friends, or other irrelevant influences, when in reality it is mostly internal. To adults, the causes are a mystery. The issues that they had as teenagers have drastically changed compared to today’s common issues. Don’t Look Behind You by Lois Duncan captures realistic causes and effects of common teen issues in today’s society such as teen defiance, consumption of alcohol, and the pressure to be or look a certain way.
By Airika Lewis7 years ago in Psyche
Who Needs a Therapist When (Pt. 21)
A couple years ago I started to see references to the term "narrative therapy" as a therapeutic toolset. At the time I was between therapists, but while art therapy, cognitive behavioral theory, and more traditional psychotherapy had all felt artificial and problematic, I instantly grasped and appreciated narrative therapy.
By Haybitch Abersnatchy7 years ago in Psyche
Recognizing Mental Illnesses in Adolescents
An essay I wrote in high school. I was given an assignment where I could write on any subject I wanted to bring awareness to. Since a young age, I've realized teens and children’s mental health is so important, and they always need to be listened to.
By Airika Lewis7 years ago in Psyche
Scared of Mannequins
Growing up, I was taught to be fearless. It’s shameful to sleep with a nightlight, to cower at mannequins and clowns, to admit that you’re afraid. In movies, the hero is always the fearless one that selflessly leaps into danger and tackles the enemy.
By Raising Neverland7 years ago in Psyche
Psychosexual Stages and Their Fixations
Before I begin, I’d like to make a disclaimer for the LGBTQ community. Although, Freud did mention in his famous letter from 1935 “…It cannot be classified as an illness; we consider it to be a variation of sexual function, produced by a certain arrest of sexual development,” referring to homosexuality. Freud’s psychosexual stages assume that each individual will take on their biological gender and participate in heterosexual relationships.
By Cheyenne Harbison7 years ago in Psyche
Why An ‘EastEnders’ Episode This Week Has Helped My Mental Health
Note: this article contains personal mental health experiences that may be distressing for some. Sean Slater’s [Robert Kazinsky] short return to the BBC One soap EastEnders has been an interesting one. Kazinsky returned last week to see his family, mainly his mum, Jean [Gillian Wright], who has cancer. Little did the fans know the representation of male mental health was going to become the main focus of his return.
By Lewis Jefferies7 years ago in Psyche
