Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
I began experiencing Social Anxiety at an early age; to be honest, as far back as I can remember. It started in elementary school as what I thought was just "stage fright." I was terrified to be called on in class. I was terrified to "popcorn read" paragraphs alongside my peers. I was never the social butterfly type. My Social Anxiety progressed as the middle school years crept in. Dating, puberty, parties... the horror. I completely avoided dating—it wasn't in my interests. I joined the school choir to put myself out there. I remember the first day. The teacher lined us all up by height and directed up on to the risers. She made me sing in front of everyone by myself to fit me into the appropriate section. I was shaking in my brown desk afterwards, completely red in the face. I can't believe I just did that. The tiny girl with brown hair and brown eyes tapped my shoulder and said, "You did great, don't be so nervous!"
By Hanna Fannin7 years ago in Psyche
Mia Luna
I'm insane, I'm stressed, I'm far away in another galaxy being swallowed by a massive black hole as I stare lovingly and longingly at the moon. If I could marry the moon I would. My children would be the stars. My nightly walks with the one I love, lighting my way through the dark. Always being watched over, always safe. She does. She keeps me company late at night when I'm most vulnerable. Sees my scars. She's the one I look at when tears sting my eyes but never fall. She comes and goes, but when she leaves; there's always that promise of returning. I sing to her sometimes as she whispers of the songs to fill my ears, to distract. My icy breath visible as I look up to her the entire time, the melodies are sung softly; barely uttered with a strained voice. But, she understands, she knows, and she appreciates it; loves it. When I'm out with her, I walk hand-in-hand. Out is where I find love, peace, adoration, and comfort. My head always crooning up at the inky black sea to gaze upon my children. Shining bright as they carve pictures into the darkness. It's painful after a while. My neck bearing the weight of my head, my thoughts, but also because I can't gaze upon my children with pride forever. I wish I could. Sometimes my children dance by, that moment solidifying an opportunity to talk to them, to wish to be among them. But, for today, for now, this night; our love is only separated by this Earth. This inferno of life, with her waiting at the end.
By Nicole Fenn7 years ago in Psyche
Notes on 'Notes on a Nervous Planet'
"Be the orange at sunset that outclasses the pink of sunrise." After a few months under section, at the age of 16, I ended up (for the second time) spending a long weekend of that summer at a Christian music festival that I'd rather not have been to. My mind was still uneasy after the traumas I'd endured from inside hospital walls. I barely left the inside of my pod in the tent I was sharing with my girlfriend (of the time) and her parents.
By Andy Maudling7 years ago in Psyche
Depression
I would like to take a minute to talk about depression. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. The NIMH estimates that in the United States, 16 million adults had at least one major depressive episode in 2012. That's 6.9 percent of the population. Telling someone to 'get over' their depression won't work. Depression distorts your thinking. Your mind can literately play tricks on you. It makes you feel unwanted. Some suffering from depression are afraid to seek help because their mind makes them think that they are bothering people. If someone reaches out to you, please, don't belittle their situation. You never know what they are thinking. You can never be sure how much of a mental battle they actually faced when deciding weather or not to confide in you.
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in Psyche
How I Pulled Myself Out Of The Pit That Is Depression
When I was around 15 or 16, I started to self-harm and I developed an eating disorder. I would feel bad just about every day, sometimes for no reason. I began to distance myself from my friends and family, and I felt unloved and unwanted. More days than not, I felt it would be better to just end it all. But despite all of these circumstances, I was able to pull myself out of the hole that is depression, and here's how.
By Kimberly Beier7 years ago in Psyche
Placebo as Healer
According to Health Psychology (2015) the placebo effect is “the medically beneficial impact of an inert treatment”; in other words a treatment that effects the patient not because of its own nature, but instead because of its therapeutic value (Taylor, 2015, p. 321). "The Placebo: Cracking the Code" video states that the "placebo effect challenges the foundation of modern medicine"; this is the case as it proves that certain treatments are not effective because of their nature, but rather the patient’s belief in their effectiveness. If the therapeutic value alone is enough to have an effect on the patient then it would be difficult to prove whether or not there was actually any value to the procedure itself. Health Psychology is a “field devoted to understanding psychological influences on how people stay healthy, why they become ill, and how they respond when they do get ill” (Taylor, 2015, p. 3). The fact that health psychology is a field that is devoted to understanding psychological influences with regards to health makes the placebo effect particularly important and relevant to the field of health psychology as it is based on the notion that belief alone is enough to cure or alleviate symptoms. The placebo effect presents the idea of the mind being able to control the body when the patient has a strong enough belief of the outcome that will occur.
By DIYStudent7 years ago in Psyche
Thoughts Intrusive and Critical: Part 1
Me and my brain, right—are like two colleagues at work who smile tightly at the other when they pass on the fourth floor corridor to the stationary cupboard. My brain is the kind of co-worker that thinks nothing of jumping the line to the photocopier or snagging the last muffin in the cafeteria. You stare at them, full to the brim with silent outrage—and if they bother to look in your direction, they shrug as if to say "What? It's what I do."
By Jessica Bailey7 years ago in Psyche
Not If but When Your Kid Is Offered Drugs
"You girls be careful! What are you two up to tonight, anyway?" Me: "We are going to sell drugs, mom." My mom laughed and playfully said, "Yeah, ok well, then for sure you two be careful out there." My best friend and I giggled and darted out the door. The truth was that we were going out to sell drugs. I was 17 years old and I was on my way to meet my 26 year old dealer. He was sitting in front of my house at that very moment. He was "fronting me" a thousand dollars worth of methamphetamine and marijuana to sell to my friends.
By Teresa Enca Grimaldo7 years ago in Psyche
