Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Psyche.

6 Things People Don't Think About When It Comes to Depression
According to the World Health Organization, over 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression at some point in their lives. For those of us that have experienced, are currently experiencing, or will experience depression, it’s nice to feel validated by someone other than a therapist. So, here are six things that people don’t think about that feels good to hear.
By Shaley Speaks7 years ago in Psyche
Curbing Anxiety Attacks
Anxiety attacks, also known as panic attacks, are episodes characterized by intense symptoms for the sufferer such as trembling, a racing heart, sweating, dry mouth, nausea, and dizziness. These attacks can be triggered by a stressful situation or they may occur completely unexpectedly. People who suffer from anxiety attacks can end up feeling helpless and isolated, but there are a variety of treatments to choose from that can help prevent anxiety attacks.
By Matthew Evans7 years ago in Psyche
Recovering After Trauma
Just a little bit about some of the traumas I have personally experienced in my life: I was sexually abused for seven years by two male family members. A few years after that, I found myself in a physically, sexually, and emotionally abusive relationship for two and a half years. Then after that, I found myself in another abusive relationship for about seven months. I ended up getting pregnant and not knowing; we were broken up and he found me at a friend's house leaving to beat me up outside. I ended up having a miscarriage. I was eight weeks along. I have also experienced severe physical trauma. I was hit by a semi-truck and thrown off the freeway. That really messed with my emotions. I struggle everyday with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Not to mention how much all of this trauma has effected my self-confidence.
By Krisjoyy Smith7 years ago in Psyche
Quick! Word Down How the Anxiety Feels!
An all familiar sickness washes over and you cannot be sure you are drowning or if it is cleansing. The same can be just as overwhelming. It's getting worse, it's shameful to be so weak, it's painful and soul destroying that it almost answers your constant fear, you are drowning.
By Dawn Elizabeth7 years ago in Psyche
Malpractice Chain (Pt. 1)
It naturally goes without saying that not all therapists are equally good, any more than professionals in any other field. I suppose most of the lay public—in its relative ignorance of the mental health landscape—probably conceives of therapeutic malpractice in just such terms, as a matter of a mere ineptitude or bad decision-making as it is in the medical professions. So I’m sure it is, in many cases.
By Benedict Laub7 years ago in Psyche
Anxiety
It’s something that can debilitate everyone of us. There are a thousand reasons as to why it starts but the result always seems to be the same.
By Samuel Moore7 years ago in Psyche
10 Tips for an Anxious Stomach
If you have anxiety like me, you know that it’s more than just a mental illness. Anxiety affects the body in some pretty intense ways. When anxiety hits, one area it hits hard is the stomach. Along with the brain, the gut has an incredible amount of nerves, making it a “little brain” of sorts. Because of this, the two are closely linked, and the digestive system can be upset by mental stress in the brain. It means that a healthy mind means a healthy body. Understanding this, it’s not difficult to see how constant anxiety can ruin the stomach. For me, I would throw up almost every day at my worst. I would be constipated or have the runs. Or worse, my stomach would just hurt, and I felt like I couldn’t eat or move. I was entirely helpless and even missed out on important dates, school, and hanging out with my friends as a result. It’s been a few years since I’ve felt that upset, but it’s all thanks to some incredible coping mechanisms. There’s nothing too special about them, but that’s the point. While they may not be easy to do when you're in the darkest of your anxious moments, they're easy in the sense that they're simple to do at home. You don't need special equipment or anything like that. With enough practice and baby steps, they can be daily practices.
By Sam7 years ago in Psyche
Stuck on Stupid (Pt. 1)
[SEMESTER 1: SEPTEMBER] Darian. For the record, I would just like to say, I never thought I would have ever been in love with somebody with a name like that. There's nothing wrong with it, but I just had always seen myself with more of a "Brandon," or maybe even a "Michael." I don't know. I'm just saying.
By Calese Michelle7 years ago in Psyche
10 Reasons Why People Are Jerks to You
I remember when I was in college. I was a very insecure person whose eccentric style of dress always ended up making me a target. The way people treated me in college taught me that anyone who tells you that bullying ends in high school was full of shit.
By Iggy Paulsen7 years ago in Psyche
Social Progress in Mental Health
The American mental healthcare system is the subject of considerable controversy. Edmund Higgins at Scientific Americanseems convinced that many of the current treatments for mental health disorders are insufficient, especially, when considering the lack of scientific advances in prescription medications.
By Claire Peters7 years ago in Psyche
"The 30th Year Blues"
It's been a while since I have posted a blog, and in part, a situation had occurred which had made it extremely hard to not only post something, but to actually write creatively. It was not going to happen. But here we are, and I have mustered the strength to write something and put everything in to words. Why not answer the question of, "Why?"
By Jay Williams7 years ago in Psyche
Nightmare
I’m trapped. I’m lost. I can't escape the demons in my mind. I haven’t really felt like myself lately. I look in the mirror and I don’t recognize the person I see. Someone help. For years I contemplated and plotted my suicide, but something always held me back and made me indecisive about what was the correct thing to do. I was afraid to disappoint the people who truly loved me. I knew I had to do it one day and no one was ever on the other side saying, “Don’t do it.”
By Jocelyn Ponce7 years ago in Psyche