Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
My Mental State
I have always been depressed. Looking back on my childhood, through all my memories, although at times I was happy. Deep deep down, I was always sad. I am 18 now and it took me a long time to be able to fully admit to myself that I have something wrong with me. But with me, having this problem is just who I am. I am not less of a person because I have depression or because I want to die, I am still a human being who deserves everything a “normal person” would get.
By chrystal wray7 years ago in Psyche
Fences
Everyone has seen fences. We have them along two sides of our property; one wood and one chain link. Just walk down the street and you'll pass fences of all descriptions. They can simply be for decoration along the front of a lawn; to surrounding a schoolyard; to mark the perimeter of a farmers field.
By Glen McKenzie7 years ago in Psyche
Movember and Men’s Mental Health. Top Story - November 2018.
Let’s be serious. I’ll start by just saying lookout for each other, man. If any of your friends or family are acting different, more reserved, or unhappy, reach out. It can feel cringey or awkward, but I guarantee you’ll make someone feel better.
By Patrick Deveney7 years ago in Psyche
Goodbye
I was going home right away. At least that what I had allowed myself to believe. I began smiling, so much so that it made my cheeks hurt. That was my first true blue, ear to ear smile since arriving at this facility three days prior. I had walked out of the doctor's office, followed the tech back through the double doors, and into the common room. I walked over to my friends, and I began to cry. The same friend who cried on my shoulder because she couldn’t go home became the same friend whose shoulder I cried on because I could go home. That is true friendship.
By Rachel Bonneval7 years ago in Psyche
The Continuing Stories of Those We Loved and Lost
Clinical psychologist Dr. Kim Bateman wrote an article for TED Ideas in October of 2017 detailing her fractured journey toward acceptance of the death of her 21 year old brother in a skiing accident in 1990. In her article, she proposes that those who have died may be immortalized through ritualistic reverence; that is, by setting aside your late brother's favorite glass of wine at Christmas, or by visiting your aunt's favourite beach once a year, you bring them back to life in the very process of allowing them to impact your physical behavior. In physics we understand that every movement on earth is catalyzed by a cause; if you visit that beach, or set aside the glass, your lost loved one has in a way reached across the veil and engendered something in the living world.
By Darragh Joyce7 years ago in Psyche
Writing for Wellbeing
Like so many creative people, I struggle with bouts of depression. Indeed, when I was in graduate school, I had to take the MMPI (Minnesota Multi-phasic Personality Inventory) as part of my Test and Measures course. For an exercise in giving personality tests, we were required to take and analyze this 567 word test. Although, I do not test as someone with clinical depression, my professor indicted that I had a pattern typical to writers. This pattern indicates that one is prone to issues with depression and hypomania. In laymen's terms, I am a little bi-polar with some periods of blues and some days of blissful happiness. I am not clinically depressed or manic. However, I like many others, deal with bouts of sadness that appear to perplex the rest of the world. In other words, my blue days don't always appear connected to the quality of my life when viewed from outside.
By Nalda Parker7 years ago in Psyche
My Strange Addiction
We’ve all heard the saying, “Everyone is addicted to something that takes away the pain.” It is often paired with black and white images of young adults and/or teens drinking, smoking, self-harming, purging their latest binge, or black tears sliding down a porcelain face. Don’t believe me? A quick search on Tumblr should prove you wrong.
By Amber Schrader-Matthies7 years ago in Psyche
The Night That Haunts Me
Looking back at the seven year old girl doing her homework on “what I want to be when I grow up,” I never thought I would be the twenty-one-year-old sitting, frozen still, weeping in the shower. I never imagined that if anyone grabbed my neck (even in a playful way) again, I would have flashbacks of his heavy weight crushing my body and soul. I never believed that I would have to explain to my parents why I am seventeen and pregnant and how it wasn’t my fault. And worst of all, I never thought it would come from someone I loved. I carry a hatred in my heart for someone I once trusted with my life. It took me months to get over the nightmares. Now, I am thankful they only come weekly. It took me so long before someone could touch me or hold my hand. But I believe it’s unfair to not tell you everything. So here I go..
By Valentina Sophia7 years ago in Psyche
