Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Writing About Health and Mental Health
Before writing about health, I was talking about health issues. Everyone does this. We wonder if we are eating the right things, or why we have skin problems, or aching joints. Usually, the best thing to do is just get enough sleep, eat a balanced, nutritious diet, and exercise regularly. Don’t stress yourself out. If you are a medical practitioner, it is easy to write about health. But even if you are no expert, the internet is an important resource for you to learn the facts you need to know to write a good article.
By Kari Oakley7 years ago in Psyche
Fighting Depression and Finding Your Purpose: A Guide for Teens and Others
When you’re suffering from depression or other mental health issues, it can be difficult to get anything done. You may find yourself staring off into space, feeling as if nothing matters, or that you need impossible amounts of energy just to get up and start working. You can feel frustrated by your work, angry at the path that you’ve taken in life, and even find your work intimidating and overwhelming.
By Casey Chesterfield7 years ago in Psyche
Coping with Bipolar Disorder
Anyone who has bipolar disorder knows how hard it can be to oscillate between two extremes. What are the two extremes? Mania makes you feel like a superhero, while on the other hand, depression makes you feel like the worst person in the world. Going back and forth can feel like chaos.
By Paisley Hansen7 years ago in Psyche
The Mental Illness Fear Factor
Sadly, those who are uninformed often fear mental illness. They believe that it's unknown, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous. Those of us living with mental illness fear it too, although for much different reasons. Or perhaps, not so different; we know firsthand how unpredictable the illness can be, and how dangerous we can become to ourselves.
By Ashley L. Peterson7 years ago in Psyche
Depression
I knew I had been "depressed" for a while, but I realized it was getting worse and more persistent. I was letting my daily thoughts affect my perceptions of situations. I wasn't taking action in my life anymore. I did not care to share my opinions or express my thoughts and ideas. I felt weak and insecure. I felt ugly, stupid, and worthless. I rarely straightened my hair or did my makeup anymore. I remember I constantly told myself I felt "stuck." Later on, I realized that was a perfect depiction of what depression was like. Trust me, I Googled the shit out of mental illnesses and depression for a long time. Back in high school, I used to care about my fashionable outfits and spoiling myself. By a certain point, I was no longer myself anymore due to life circumstances... and this lasted a few years. I realized I developed a Netflix and food addiction because, at the time, it was the only thing that gave me (short-term) fulfillment. Everyone experiences depression and anxiety differently. But for me, I felt it was debilitating and I was just not "present" in my own life anymore. I did not care about a single thing whatsoever. I was never the person to be "suicidal," but I definitely was killing myself in other mental and physical ways.
By Tonya Narzinsky7 years ago in Psyche
Addiction
Addiction tears you apart. You can almost give it human personality traits. It's so complex and unique to each addict. Like people, the basics are pretty much the same. Humans all have a body of some sort. Most have hair, skin, eyes, etc., but not everyone has all of these things, and even if they do, they can be dramatically different. Addiction is similar because everyone has their "story," or reason why/how their addiction started. Some are as basic as they just wanted to fit in with a certain crowd; others are much darker and tragic, but there is always a reason. Addressing that underlying cause must be done to ever gain control of it
By Candida Reece7 years ago in Psyche
Tips for Anxiety/Panic Attacks
There are many forms of anxiety. I never noticed my anxiety until I was probably in high school. It got worse in my college years. Everyone experiences it differently. But if you are like me, you have experienced actual panic attacks. They can be frightening, especially if it is your first episode. My first panic attack landed me in the ER. I felt I was experiencing a "heart attack." After this event, I developed health anxiety. I was so scared that I would have another "near-death experience" (it felt like). After a couple of years now, I had learned what works and what doesn't for me. The ONE thing that is important for you to know is that it will pass and you WON'T die. Even if you feel like you are, you won't. When you feel your heart racing before you speak publicly, remember why you are doing it in the first place. The next step is to breathe. In your nose. Out your mouth. Hold your exhale longer than your inhale. Focus on finding the lowest deepest spot in your stomach as you exhale. Focus on the people in the audience excited to hear what you have to say. Try speaking with excitement and in turn, your body will react and feel excited and not frightened.
By Tonya Narzinsky7 years ago in Psyche
Some Days I'm Drowning, but I'm Learning to Swim
I let myself sink into the warm water, feeling it lap at my skin as I crouch into the claw-foot bathtub. But I barely feel the warmth. All I feel is a creeping numbness sweeping through me as I slosh the water over the side of the porcelain and onto the checkered tile. I lower my body to coat my hair in the water. Then I lower further, sinking beneath the surface and holding my breath. I count the seconds in my head...
By Eva A. Schellinger7 years ago in Psyche
Self-Help Ideas for Treating Depression
Depression, it's a swear word in my life. It can hit at any point, and for no real reason. I can have days when I want to just sit in a corner with my head in my hands and cry all day long, and days when I really do not want to go anywhere or do anything. It can make a person feel low, worthless, alone, and feel really sad. However, as I found, all is not lost. You can help yourself by doing things in your daily life that can lift your spirits and make your day better, no matter how hard it is. Below is a list of my therapy favourites for days when I feel really low. These are for self-help purposes only, if you are suffering depression, you should still see a doctor and get help from a professional. However, there are supplementary holistic therapies you can do that can be really helpful.
By Carol Ann Townend7 years ago in Psyche
