Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Altered Mind
The un-battered woman within me was indented onto me when every shreds of my dignity collapsed. Solace of my soul reflected the fractures of my molecular shameful truth of what betrayal truly was. Many times we may have failed and fallen to the concrete ground of cold and hardened truth to the reality of how an altered state of mind signifies. For many years of unshedding and untwining myself, it finally took an earnest turn of no edge when I felt that prickling fear of losing my daughter, Emerson.
By Aiyan Turley7 years ago in Psyche
10 Signs Someone Is Hiding a Mental Illness
Especially in teenagers and young adults, it can be hard to recognize what behaviors are a normal part of growing up, and what behaviors may be signs someone is hiding a mental illness. There are many different mental illnesses out there that people can suffer from. These illnesses will also manifest themselves in different ways in each individual. But understanding these common symptoms and different ways that mental health issues may appear can put you in a position to change, or even save, a friend or family member's life.
By Nicola P. Young7 years ago in Psyche
10 Fascinating Books About Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are something that plague many people, young and old. Although they are stereotypically considered the stuff of "teen angst" or limited to women—that’s not the case. There are some fascinating books about eating disorders that truly show how devastating they can be.
By Stephanie Gladwell7 years ago in Psyche
The Death of My Former Self
I am a survivor, and I'm proud to say that. I started to think about death and suicide when I was in high school. I wondered what it would be like to die—if it would be easier than living. I wasn't old enough to know what I wanted out of life or what life could offer me, but there was enough wrong that I considered ending it all for the unknown. I stood in front of the medicine cabinet when I was 17 and looked at all the bottles of pills, and that's the first time I seriously considered hurting myself.
By Amanda Doyle7 years ago in Psyche
How to Health
So, health is one of those things, you know? It's something where people have it good, have it bad, or have it somewhere in between. Some have lots of problems or little very little. Whatever the case may be, there is one simple fix to getting the best health. Here's my secret:
By Liam Thornton7 years ago in Psyche
Stress: Where Does It Come From?
Stress is a term coined by Hans Selye who was a prominent feature in the book, Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, which I read in the last couple years of living by myself. Physical stress makes people look ill. Selye is one I need to read more of since he pioneered the field of stress management. I was under so much stress in high school anyway, with no idea how to manage it. Stress can make one over eat while being overwhelmed with their anxious feelings. There are three stages of stress, such as stage one, an alarm reaction that leads to fight or flight, taking energy from the immune system, causing illness.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez7 years ago in Psyche
Cat Therapy. Top Story - December 2018.
In September, I decided I would try and get my life together. After a bad bout of seasonal depression last winter, I thought it would be great to try therapy. I was being proactive, fighting off negative feelings before they could even begin.
By Selina Martineau7 years ago in Psyche
Unspoken Words
Tonight I gazed upon you and saw utter exhaustion. It may have been the guilt. It hurts me to see you this way. Yet no one can talk to you about it, about financial issues, or even hold conversation about life in general for more than five minutes. It's as though we're boring you. Maybe it's because we're interrupting whatever plans you're contemplating in your head. Most days, when I look at you I see a troubled man. A man that has dug himself in so deep. He doesn't know how to get out. However, he's afraid to admit that he needs help. The right help that is: Mental help. Before all of this exhaustion, I saw a handsome young man. A man with dreams and possibilities. A man that at the same time was afraid to move forward. If I wasn't there to do it for him, he would not budge. I wanted to hold your hand and guide you, but you just wanted me to do it all for you. I don't understand the physics of this way of thinking. The more I tried to push you to do it for yourself, it's as if it's the more you distance yourself. Then the sleep deprivation begins to produce unreal images of thoughts that you think are real. Now it's been so long, there's no way to start fresh—for you at a least. I understand it's a constant fight for you. That your own thoughts must be attacking you. But you are strong. You can do this. You can take the beast by the horns and flip it to the ground. But you must first truly want to win. I noticed you get discouraged easily. I also see how unmotivated you can be. It saddens me. I guess because my motivation comes from being told I can't do something. It comes from the words of others trying to bring me down, from trying to stop me, from trying to prevent me from succeeding my hopes and dreams. It may take me awhile to get where I want to go, but I know it takes time. It takes dedication, sweat, and sometimes even blood to reach those hopes and dreams. However, when those hopes and dreams come easy, we get cocky and greedy. That's when they can easily be taken away. It's almost like karma comes in and reminds us of how easy she can ruin us, or provide for our actions. If you're good to someone, it's returned; if your bad to someone, it's returned. Funny how it works that way. The past few days I wonder whatever happened to you? What in God's name led you down this path? It breaks my heart to know that something, someone once hurt you so bad. That this precious child of God has been corrupted by drugs and who knows what else. Wake up, my love, wake up from this terrible nightmare. Come into the light out of the darkness. Allow me to hold you and tell you I'm here. Allow me to love you and bring you up. Let me encourage you to rise. Let me be your guidance. As I watch you leave and as I hear you say, "I'll be back." I'm left here wondering. I pray for your safety. I pray for your return. I'm here waiting—that's all I can do. Only because I'm trying not to fail you. I know there's only so much I can do. How long before enough is enough. How long before I have to move on? Prayers and request, along with pleads and demands, can only go on for so long.
By Deborah Portillo7 years ago in Psyche
