Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Finding Yourself in Sobriety
When I came out of treatment I had no idea who I was anymore. That might sound dramatic but thats honestly how I felt. I always knew myself as the “party girl” and thought thats what made people like me. Boy oh boy was I delusional… I used to think that was one of my best qualities, but in reality I think it was the quality people liked least about me. I remember coming out of treatment and for the first few weeks I think I cried almost every night in bed. I just felt so lonely… I had people around me too, so I wasn’t actually alone, but you know that feeling when your in a room full of people but still feel completely alone? That's what I was going through. The only thought that kept popping into my head was “who the fuck am I?” To be completely honest, being in addiction made me quiet self-centred and I thought everything revolved around me, and when I came out of treatment, I may have not been using drugs or alcohol but lets be real…
By Kyra Scott7 years ago in Psyche
If the First Step Doesn't Get You
I did it! As you may have seen, I started my new blog. Yesterday was a great day! It feels wonderful to deal with the onslaught of anxiety symptoms and defeat it by starting something new and challenging. Words seem to flow through my fingertips like water cascading down the mighty Mississippi River. My thoughts were coming from the heart, my intent of possibly helping others filled me with the passion that I often preach about but never seem to perform. Most importantly, I started a journal that will assist me further in accomplishing my ultimate goals. Daily writing to help myself cope with the emotions, thoughts, and feelings that continually swirl inside my head. To add to an already rewarding day, I also participated in some courses on YouTube so I can possibly put a face to some of my writings and speak to people, in a raw personal level, about my daily struggles and how I deal with the challenges that bombard me throughout the day. Then, of course, just like any other day, it ends, and the next day comes.
By BIGG_JOE Vitality_Adjustment7 years ago in Psyche
Addiction
It’s time we get real about addiction. I’m not worried about what society tells you that you need to believe. I’m going to tell you the truth about addiction, and I’m qualified to do that because I was an addict. A doper and a soaker is what they called me. I popped pills and when that stopped working, I lost myself in the bottom of a bottle.
By Phoenixx Fyre Dean7 years ago in Psyche
Vitality Adjustment
It sounds so easy, doesn't it? Getting it all started. To some people getting things started isn't a thought at all. Every day there are examples of people that do amazing things just by following their passions. Still sounds simple, right? If you follow what you dream about and have a strong passion to carry out those dreams it should be easy to get started. Right? It sounds to me that someone would be overly eager to do something that they are passionate about, get started without anything or anybody to get in their way. It is easy, for some. There are those that deal with what nearly 20 percent of Americans deal with on a daily basis and that is some sort of an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can attack a person in many different ways. Some people may deal with one or two symptoms, some may have several symptoms that never give any warnings on when they are coming and going. It is a never-ending whirlwind of thoughts and emotions that sometimes control a persons life to the point to where they have to go see a physician, possibly take a prescribed medication, seek group counseling, or even take an all natural route with modern alternative medicine. I have said many of times, and you may quote me, "The people that deal with an anxiety disorder cannot explain it, and those that don't, cannot understand it."
By BIGG_JOE Vitality_Adjustment7 years ago in Psyche
Supporting Your Loved One’s Sobriety: Tips for Families During and After Treatment
The consumption of alcohol and use of illicit drugs are not exactly uncommon in the United States. Approximately 86.4 percent of Americans over the age of 18 report drinking alcohol at some point during their lives, while 10.6 percent of Americans said they used illicit drugs during a given month in 2016. Unfortunately, misuse and addiction are probably more prevalent than most people think. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an estimated 20.7 million people over the age of 12 needed substance abuse treatment in 2017. And despite the fact that alcohol abuse is the third highest cause of death in the US and that more than 70,200 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2017, only four million people over the age of 12 who needed substance abuse treatment actually received it in 2017.
By Casey Chesterfield7 years ago in Psyche
Equoo Promises to Help People Become More Emotionally Fit. I Gave It a Try—Here’s What Happened. Top Story - February 2019.
It seems like no matter what you want to do, there’s an app that can help. As a person who has a hard time understanding others, I’ve always felt pretty hopeless about establishing a connection with people. I’m not exactly a communicator, you know what I mean?
By Ossiana Tepfenhart7 years ago in Psyche
Don't Call Me Crazy
Past: I don’t remember much about Christmas 2014 other than my life changing. Maybe that’s all I need to remember, at least for this narrative anyway. With every holiday season comes the hustle and bustle of making lists, purchasing gifts, and catching up with family and friends. Schedules are hectic and some level of pressure or stress makes an appearance during this time. For me, the holidays equated to higher levels of stress than I usually experience. Being a mother to a perfect now seven-year-old boy, like most parents, I am trying to check off everything on his Christmas list. I shamelessly admit that yes, I am one of those parents who may buy a little more than what’s really needed. I never fail to formulate an annual holiday budget but I also never fail to adhere to it, all the while anteing up my stress levels. Nevertheless, as hectic as it gets during the holidays, the shenanigans are also fun. The mishaps, crammed schedules, gift hunting, last minute shopping, under-cooked or overcooked dishes, family dysfunction, cheesy commercials, timeless Christmas carols, never-ending photographs, an excessive amount of glitter and red… all of these components plus some is what makes the holidays the holidays and I was okay with that… until 2014, when I was not.
By Erryn "Writer_Dye" Howard7 years ago in Psyche
