Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Depression, Anxiety and Travelling
Travelling with mental illness brings a lot of different challenges from being at home but also some of the same familiar ones, too. I have been diagnosed with mixed depression and generalised anxiety disorder so most of the challenges I am going to talk about will relate to the ones I face because of these illnesses.
By Alicia Brunskill7 years ago in Psyche
Operant Conditions and Behavioral Modifications
Operant Conditions and Behavioral Modifications Operant conditions are rewarding or punishing others for their behaviors. My work uses this as a method to help everyone see what the right or wrong behavior is. When the company sees someone doing a phenomenal job or exceeding all expectations of the company they are rewarded or that behavior. These rewards range from employee of the month clear down to prizes you can choose from. This can help employees continue that behavior. “Positive reinforcement strengthens a behavior by providing a consequence an individual finds rewarding” (McLeaod, 2018). When employees are showing negative behavior, our company gives a punishment. These punishments are called write ups. Everyone is given three chances with the write ups before termination is an option the company has. This shows the employee what behavior is not allowed and how they can change this behavior. This also allows the employee a chance to change the behavior.
By Kaylee Lundgren7 years ago in Psyche
The Rise in Mental Health Issues
I hear it daily. If it isn't from my own mind, it is from people that I know or people I work with. Every day is a struggle to get up. Every day, it is harder and harder to imagine what life is like without a constant and never ending struggle. I see it. I hear it. I live it.
By Kelly Galvez7 years ago in Psyche
Perfume Kiosk
I can recall a specific errand my mother and I went on in order to get furniture for our new home. I can still smell the overbearing perfume from the merchandise kiosk as I lay on the carpet floor next to it. My heart was racing as the employees from the Bed, Bath, and Beyond store came sprinting in fear towards my limp body. I remember my heart racing as if it was going to give out any second, but my face still pressed to the cold carpet that covered that portion of the mall next to the perfume kiosk. Panicked and unfamiliar faces surrounded me as I lay there for what felt like a long, helpless century. I hope telling this story can shed light on the importance of fighting mental illness, overcoming pessimistic thoughts, and receiving help for those with serious disorders.
By Cameryn lytton7 years ago in Psyche
I'll Never Start by Saying "Dear Diary"
The first time I studied poetry was in sixth grade, when I wasn’t that mentally fucked up. Even then- I had a ball with it. I learned about limericks, haikus, poetry that’s the words formed into an image (which is pretty damn cool), and I had several assignments that were simply “write poetry about whatever you want.” This was how my foot got in the door.
By Elijah James7 years ago in Psyche
Does It Get Better?
A lot of people have depression, anxiety, or both it seems. I was never actually diagnosed with depression, but I've had trusted adults I confide in tell me it seems like I do. I was diagnosed with anxiety when I went to my counselor for the first time.
By Alexis Bellaw7 years ago in Psyche
Alcohol Instead of Medication Is a Bad Idea
Alcohol promises fake stability for us mentally ill alcoholics. You see, it calms you down well-enough, but medication does a far better job of that. Alcohol leads to fraudulent stability since drinking counts as self-medication because mentally ill people are in a lot of pain either way. Alcohol really doesn’t help, especially if you treat the drinker well while they are drinking. Alcohol sometimes makes people curious as to what it would do to your body in large quantities—that’s why I stayed alcoholic for so long, because I was in general, curious. In college, I was drinking to fit in.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez7 years ago in Psyche
Am I Really Alone? - Fighting Mental Health Stigma
When you're feeling great the world is your oyster: Happy, creative, out-going, social... the possibilities are endless. Life may throw you curve balls, but you just bat them back with ferocity and nothing stands in your way.
By Samuel Bastable7 years ago in Psyche
My Love/Hate Relationship with Mania
Welcome to my life. I live my life vicariously through my ritualistic manic episodes. These manic episodes usually start out with a vicious cycle of absolutely dreadful depression, that progresses to paranoid delusional episodes (though sometimes not full blown), and then the fun begins. After these signs, there's the infamous dissociation and elation.
By Amanda Caton7 years ago in Psyche
