Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Myths About Borderline Personality Disorder You Probably Believe
Although a full 1.6 percent of people in the United States—over 4 million people—live with Borderline Personality Disorder, it remains one of the least understood and discussed mental health issues in the public sphere. It's frequently overlooked, and often stigmatized or treated as symptoms without a cause; that is, symptoms that are the fault of the person suffering from it. Here are a few of the most common myths about Borderline Personality Disorder, to at least begin dispelling these misconceptions.
By Nicola P. Young7 years ago in Psyche
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) refers to the deliberate cause of illness to a child, inflicted by a caretaker. Munchausen by proxy is a real illness, but rare in some ways. It simply means that the caretaker wants to make their victim ill so that they can be the big and only hero. Forcing somebody to take too much insulin in order to make them pass out is one of the ways this illness can manifest. Munchausen by proxy usually starts affecting the caregiver, the mother, or perhaps the father if the father is prone to believe the mother’s exaggerations, such as the need both parents have for collusion.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez7 years ago in Psyche
Still Dealing with the Loss
I was born in 1987 to two wonderful parents. They loved and cared for each other and we were all happy. 18 months later my sister was born, and then two years passed before my youngest sister was born. We moved a few times before settling in New York. Like most families, my parents had their issues and split for a while. Myself, my dad, and my youngest sister stayed in New York, while my mom and my middle sister went to Michigan for a while. I am unsure of how long had passed in between them splitting and eventually working it out, but we were all to meet in Maryland to get back together as a family. On December 26, 1991, my father received the most heartbreaking news possible—my mother had been in a car accident and was dead on arrival at the hospital. She was 22 years old, with a husband and three little girls. He made his way to Michigan for all the proper funeral arrangements and all, but was never the same after. My two younger sisters were too young to really know or understand what happened to our mother. It was not until I was 18 that I was finally given the accident report from that dreadful day. I, to this day, can still picture everything that I read in that report.
By Amber Consiglio7 years ago in Psyche
Recovery Sucks
The road to recovery is paved with good intentions. Wait, that isn't right. It's the road to hell. Meh, same thing. In case you missed the title let me say it again, recovery sucks. Yup, that's right I said it. I mean any kind of recovery is a good thing but recovery from addiction actually sucks. Now granted, it's better then the alternative of still using your substance of choice, but that doesn't mean it sucks any less. Just hear me out here. This has nothing to do with going to groups or doing counseling. Those are great. And I'm not saying it sucks cause you can't or won't be using anymore. Trust me, being enthralled in that addiction is much much worse. But recovery isn't much fun either.
By Jeffrey Joseph7 years ago in Psyche
A Moment at the Lake
Looking over the lake, I find my stomach dropping as my eyes lock onto a chunk of ice floating. It seems to get smaller as it goes, melting like everything else, the harsh lines softening and rounding out. It bumps into another piece and spins back, seemingly apologizing for something it can't control. But the other piece continues on without a glance toward my little piece. My little piece goes on, dodging and bumping others in a sad manner that reminds one of a kindergartner in a high school hallway.
By Hannah Payne7 years ago in Psyche
Thoughts in My Head
Where do I even begin? Before I had ever become pregnant with any of my children, I worked hard. I hated not having a job to support my self and especially hated having someone take are of me. I first got pregnant when I was 18. Even with him, I worked up until three days before I had him. I never let my pregnancy get in my way. The same thing happened with my next child four years later. Within two or three months after having both of them, I was back to work. I wanted to make sure I could provide for my children. In 2016, I got pregnant with my second son. His pregnancy was a bit different. I started to develop back issues and was taken out of work at seven months pregnant. With the pain that I was going through, I did not mind it so much. It wasn't until a year later in 2017, that I was able to get a job. I began working for an armored truck company, with odd hours in the day. There would be days where I would work nine hours or there would be days where I would work 14 hours a day. It was fine, because I knew my kids where with someone I trusted and they were safe. My job on the other hand, was not such a safe job, but it helped with the bills. In June of 2018, out of no where, I had a gran mal seizure. After weeks of tests and being sick, not knowing what was going on, I was diagnosed with seizures and epilepsy. I was told that it can happen anytime, anywhere. With that being said, I was also informed that I could not drive for a year unless I was seizure free that entire year. Well, the problem is, I have what they call silent seizures multiple times a day. With not being able to drive, its hard to find work especially because July of this year, I also found out I was pregnant. I am currently six months pregnant—a stay at home mom that suffers with having seizures daily and a lot on my mind.
By Amber Consiglio7 years ago in Psyche
CPTSD and Narcissistic Abuse
My name is Michele, and this is my first article for Psyche. I am incredibly excited to use this medium, and hope that you will join me on my blog, The Hippy Chic, on WordPress. I will leave a link at the bottom of the page. Go easy on me, I am new to this audience.
By Michele Elkins-Hoffman7 years ago in Psyche
Bipolar 2
Bipolar 1 is different from bipolar 2 because bipolar 1 is characterized by mania. Bipolar 2 causes depression. Bipolar 2 also has mania though but is mostly depression-based. High moods never descend to actual mania but bipolar 2s get hypomanic. Hypomania can either be euphoric or manifest as irritability. Mania is a high mood that means sufferers talk too fast, have grandiose thoughts, and spend money too much. Medication helps ease the pain of mania. Medication for rapid cycling bipolar of either type is actually required. You cannot get out of taking your medication for that one.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez7 years ago in Psyche
