Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Psyche.

Life of an Addict (Pt. 2)
Hearing the Doctor tell me that I had shattered my L1 vertebrae and was paralyzed from the waist down was an indescribable feeling. You think I would have been crushed, numbed or brought to the thought that I couldn't go on living. But, actually with the addict mind set that I had, it made me think, "at least I don't have to drive to the methadone clinic and pay the $80 per week fee anymore." Because I just knew, that if anything was gonna get me put on some good pain pills it had to be this. I mean, what doctor is going to make someone that will never walk again and be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of their lives, do it without some good ass drugs, right?
By Fellow Knee7 years ago in Psyche
Pasta is Love
I've been in the Grey Place for awhile now. The Grey Place: a state of mind defined by hopelessness and a listless lack of motivation, accompanied by a deep and certain sense of failure.
By Hadley Frances7 years ago in Psyche
The Gendering of Mental Health
We live in a highly gendered society. Certain roles, behaviours, and experiences may be seen as typical of one gender but unacceptable in the other. Those who do not conform to gender norms and expectations, including those who identify as transgendered/queer/two-spirited, are met with fear and negative judgment. So what does this mean for mental health, both now and in the past?
By Ashley L. Peterson7 years ago in Psyche
Cords, Curses, Bindings, and Contracts
Cords, curses, bindings, and contracts all happen on an energetic level. I’m figuring out that I have cords in my system from family that looks like those thick garden hoses Dale describes. The nature of one such contract is that I agree to stay poor, yellow is a color about exchanging beliefs, one belief being that I do not make my own money, I have to stay low-income. Life energy cords abound to my past lives where I was a witchcraft practitioner over and over again. My family threw me under the bus in many a past life, forcing me to believe their religion exclusively.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez7 years ago in Psyche
Monday
For the first time in my life, I was thankful for it to be Monday! I was guaranteed to see the doctor, and I was hopeful that today was the day I said goodbye to this place, once and for all. I had even created a script in my head of all the right things to say to convince this doctor that I was sane. I walked down the hall, curled up into a ball inside my baggy sweatshirt on the couch as always, and waited to get my vitals done. One after another, my small group of friends made their way to the couch, took their seats next to me, and we talked. We were all running on hope, and high anxiety. All four of us ready to go home, and get out of this place.
By Rachel Bonneval7 years ago in Psyche
The Beginning
Being awoken by police banging on the door at 6 AM when you’ve been hiding for a month is surreal. In that moment I knew shit was about to change. My 3-year-old is freaking out as they cuff her dad right in front of her, who she’d only just gotten back after witnessing the same thing 23 months prior. Only this time, they’re taking me too. I had never spent a day away from her. Not one. And I had to make sure she’d be fine. They waited for my friend's husband to pick her up to handcuff me. By this time I can already feel the dope sick. It had been 12 hours since my last dope shot and heroin just doesn’t last the way you’d expect.
By Arielle J7 years ago in Psyche
What I Learned after Withdrawing from School for a Semester
It was March. I applied for graduation and was ready to order my cap and gown. I was counting down the days until May 18, the day of my commencement ceremony. My parents were excited, my boyfriend was proud, and I was freaking out.
By Megan Clark7 years ago in Psyche
Guide to Dating Someone with Dissociative Identity Disorder
Every person we date, and every relationship we have is unique and requires us to learn and grow. Dating someone with dissociative identity disorder can feel confusing because of all of the complicated emotions and brand new scenarios you find yourself in, but it can be deeply rewarding. And with a bit of mental adjusting and getting used to relationships can be very stable and long lasting.
By Old Sigh7 years ago in Psyche
Depression Days
The past few days I have been battling with severe depression. I’ve been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety but I am on medication for it. Even on the medicine I still have days that I just don’t even want to get out of bed. The past few days have been that way. Living in a box is the only thing I felt like doing.
By Catrina Palko7 years ago in Psyche
The Stigma Behind Mental Health
You’re scrolling through Netflix figuring out what you want to watch next; and you start to notice quite a few shows based around the topic of mental health.
By Adelia Pratico7 years ago in Psyche
Things You Should Know Before Loving a Person Riddled with Depression *Must Read*
Loving anyone can entail moments of unbridled passion as well as a sweeping to the lowest of lows. One thing is for sure, though, love is hard. Many of us go through life craving such a sensation to course through our empty veins. It’s lonely. Being loveless can be colder than the bitterest of winters. It sends a chill down a spine that aches to the feel the warmth of any fingertip in sight. Love is crazy. It almost makes no sense. However it makes all the sense in the world.
By The Darkest Sunrise7 years ago in Psyche
My Experience of Mental Health Support in Schools
I recently read an article about what needs to be done in schools to make sure children are better equipped to manage their mental health. The article prompted me to write about my own experiences of mental health support in schools. The link to the article I read is below.
By Alicia Brunskill7 years ago in Psyche