Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Tips to Grow Your Brand and Increase Your Monthly Income as an Influencer
Influencers of all types residing all around the world were able to quit their 9-5 in a matter of 30 days. 99.4 percent have gone on to successfully triple their monthly income, and live their entrepreneur dreams.
By Silena Le Beau7 years ago in Psyche
Depression
Depression has been an issue for me since the age of 14. I lost my mother to cancer. She was my best friend, someone who would love me unconditionally, someone who would go to bat for me, and she was my mother. At 14, I did not understand why I lost her. Why God decided to take her instead of someone else's mom. Why I had to go through losing a parent—through grieving.
By Brittany Rothenbuhler Smith7 years ago in Psyche
Real Depression
You are not all of who I am. Stop fighting over the spotlight that is my life. You want so much of me for yourself, but I can only give so much until there is nothing left to give. You lift me up throughout the day with the many things I do to distract myself from the fact that I have a real mental illness. I crawl into bed at night with my heart pounding with fear, fear of the negative thoughts that I know you’re coming with. It’s like the neighborhood potluck, except you’re the neighbor everyone hates. Remember what you did to me a little while ago? It’s like you became me and made me take those pills. You said, “I am you, and this is your only option for recovery. It’s the fastest way out, Sarah. Save yourself the pain and give it to those around you.” It makes me somewhat selfish because I’ve given into you far too many times. Taking handfuls of pills hoping that it would be my last handful. I was so desperate to feed into you. Remember that one night I lit a candle and melted off the plastic which encased the blade of a disposable razor? I shouldn’t have done that, but I did. Now all I see when I look at my legs are the scars you made me leave. You said, “Just cut the pain away, it’s easier.” If everything is so easy, then why isn’t it easy getting rid of you? People tell me to stop letting myself get hurt in the ways that I do. As if slamming on the brakes works with this kind of thing. I didn’t want to be the problem, but you didn’t get that. I didn’t want those around me worrying if I was going to make it out alive to see the sunshine the next day. I feel like I have to wear the fact that you control me like people wear their heart on their sleeve, saying, “Look at this world: This is me!” I was embarrassed by you. I can see my peers at school thinking, She must have got like no attention as a kid to be able to publicly display her insanity.These feelings are real, but no one wants to start a real conversation about them. Why? What are people so afraid of? To the teacher freshman year who reported my self-harm cuts, I wish you truly understood why those were there. To my friend who grabbed my arm really hard and pulled up the sleeve that hid them, I’m sorry. I know that I hurt those around me, but it’s not me, or it’s not who I want to be. I don’t know why I feel so disconnected. It’s like I’m trapped in a clear box and the things people say to me aren’t getting through. My ex-best friend’s mom said, “You are so loved, more than you know, and ______ really cares about you.” I’m sorry; I can’t hear you. That’s the funny thing about depression, it’s so selective as to what you hear from those around you. It picks and chooses every word that comes and goes. You know, I tried to kill myself. It happens. It’s not a casual thing. I wait for every little thing to build inside of me, and I can only take so much before depression pulls me to the bathroom, grabs that razor blade hidden inside the back of the toilet, and lets it dig itself into my skin waiting for a release from the pain I feel in this world. I won’t give in. I have it way easier than so many other parts of humanity. I felt like I was obligated to put those who didn’t make it out before me. They said, “Live for those who didn’t make it out alive because you’re lucky enough to do so.” If I’m so lucky, then why don’t I feel lucky? It’s like I won the depression lottery. I didn’t ask to be saved, but here I am, writing this in self-pity inside the clear box I have trapped myself in.
By Sarah Thompson7 years ago in Psyche
The Butterfly Project
Last year I lost all will to live. Simple everyday things like combing my hair, showering, or brushing my teeth became difficult. I had no desire to eat and my grades began to drop. I simply didn't have the motivation to do anything because nothing seemed worth it. My life was out of control and falling apart around me.
By Sophia Chajon7 years ago in Psyche
Secrets Your Mind Keeps From You
Do you know what I find terrifying? I find it terrifying that I have gone through something so horrific that my mind and memory won't let me remember what happened. All I have been left with is this deep aching feeling in the pit of my stomach with hazing feelings of discomfort. If I close my eyes it is as if I were swimming in an ocean made up of clouds, unable to see the surface and quickly running out of breath. Wanting so badly to break through the surface. Please! Someone help me! I am drowning... please... No one can hear me. Nobody can see me drowning. It is all in my head, but it was happening.. I felt it, why won't anyone believe me? I am alone to figure out what happened to me.
By Kameron McLain7 years ago in Psyche
5 Realistic Ways to Help Beat Depression
Depression is tough. One minute you're on top of the world and next thing you know, it's all crumbling down. Sometimes it feels absolutely hopeless; like there's nothing you can do. And when you go on the internet to try and find some help, nothing works.
By Xaivier Thompson7 years ago in Psyche
My Hidden Scars
Cutting yourself is for attention, right? Wrong. It’s all so familiar, the teen with cuts all down their arms, ridiculed by the same students that comment “scars are beautiful” for likes and an ego boost. It’s become a large part of social media, all based on stereotypes and judgements from ignorant reflections on a laptop screen.
By Lovatic Love7 years ago in Psyche
Podcasts About Mental Health You Need to Listen To
Podcasts, in general, allow you to keep yourself informed, entertained, and in-the-know about a variety of subjects. Podcasts about mental health, in particular, open up vital conversations about mental health, mental illnesses, and coping mechanisms. The world doesn't discuss mental illness enough, and we rarely say the right things. These mental health podcasts, as well as self-help podcasts that everyone should listen to, bring the issues to the forefront. Only through discussion and open dialogue can we hope to address and affect the country's mental health crisis.
By Ringo Mendoza7 years ago in Psyche
Casually Suicidal
Most people, if asked their biggest fear, will list off things like spiders, heights, or drowning. But It's hard to fear things like drowning, when you feel like your drowning every single day of your life. I can't really remember a time when I didn't feel this way. I can almost pinpoint the moment I first thought about killing myself, yet it's almost like my consciousness didn't exist before then. Or maybe my mind has boxed up all of those memories. Wrapped them carefully. Stored them safely under the folds of my mind, so no one could corrupt them. I like to think the second one is the truth. But since the age of 10 suicide seems like the only thing that’s consistently on my mind. The only thing that has stuck by me, through thick and thin. For better and for worse.
By K. L. Champitto7 years ago in Psyche
