Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Being an Extrovert With Anxiety
Yes, it happens. And it's the weirdest thing. Growing up I was such a loud and eccentric child; I was always making jokes and getting told off in class for talking to my friends too much. I always relished the opportunity of a school play or a class presentation. I just loved attention! Until I hit my teenage years, and everything went sideways.
By Katie Rees8 years ago in Psyche
We Must Stop Stigmatizing Mental Health
"She's mentally ill, therefore she is violent." Time and time again through my own long experience of mental health problems, and as a mental health champion, have I heard this. Yes, it is true, there are some mental health problems that can be violent at times, but it is THE 'mental health problem,' not the person, who is violent.
By Carol Ann Townend8 years ago in Psyche
Language and Mental Health
We all have used words to emphasize how we feel. "I feel depressed." "I'm OCD." "I'm having a panic attack." However, using language like this in everyday life may have a negative impact on those with mental illness. It contributes to stereotypes and creates stigma. These terms and phrases are often used incorrectly and may contribute to negative stereotypes about mental health issues.
By Lorraine Woiak8 years ago in Psyche
In My Eyes with PTSD
I am walking down the road, and there are a lot of cars about. I want to cross over, but my body shakes and my feet do not move. I stand by the road as everything from the car crash, the sounds of an ambulance, fire brigade, police go through my head. Visions form of the one I love laying in the front seat not moving, and then I hear the echo's from my past, me screaming and then being told "We are so sorry for your loss.'" Suddenly it stops, and I am back in my own reality, I am disoriented, shaking, distressed and sweating. People ask me what is wrong with me, and I cannot tell them, because that means "lifting the mask" and they will see what is beneath it.
By Carol Ann Townend8 years ago in Psyche
A Letter to Anyone Who Told Me to Open Up to Them About my Depression
I'm sorry I haven't told you about it. I'm sorry that I've kept an important part of my life hidden from you. And I'm sorry if it offends you that I don't talk to you about it, but just know I have my reasons. Ones that I hope you’ll understand, but I'll get it if you don't.
By Natasha Anne8 years ago in Psyche
Living With My Very Scary Anxiety, You Are Not Alone
If I am going to write about something so serious, I should keep it 100 percent truthful. I've seen my sister go through what I thought was extreme anxiety and she became a hypochondriac as it went on which added even more anxiety. She always asked me "Do you have this too?", "Is this normal on my arm?", or she would always just freak out about small things. It breaks my heart to say, but I never took it seriously. I always told her to get over it. Besides my sister, the only way I heard about anxiety was through Twitter. Everybody kept tweeting about how they have anxiety, and their anxiety doesn't let them sleep.
By paris parsa8 years ago in Psyche
My Return to Cosplay
I'm here to give everyone an update of what's been going on with me. One of the first articles I'd written on Vocal was my battle with depression and anxiety. Back in May was Mental Health Awareness Month and I was sharing my story of the traumatic events, past and present, I've experienced that led me to have a mental breakdown. After that occurred, I became homeless and felt worthless. It felt like my life was over at that point and like I had no future. So with that said, I'm writing this article to give everyone an update of how things are currently going with me.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 8 years ago in Psyche
The Art of Isolation
I’m 28. I’ll just start off by telling you that. Most of the people I went to high school with are now well into their careers and their “adult” lives. One guy I dated is now a doctor with a PhD and a family, and another is a very rich and successful professional photographer. And I should be in that category with them. I did all the right things: I studied hard and got straight A’s in high school, I went to college and graduated suma cum laude... and for all that, I cannot figure out where my life began to derail so horribly.
By Kimberly Alcorn8 years ago in Psyche
I Survived
I’ve kept so much to myself since the last three years. That was never me, I always loved to share myself with other people. Things changed though and i became very silent but now i feel the need to speak up. I come from a society where it is not acceptable to have mental disorders. So it was very hard for me to accept when I got my diagnosis. I’ve learned though that I cannot change who I am and just because of my diagnosis I don’t deserve love or happiness. There was a time when i had convinced myself of that. That I didn’t deserve to be part of the general community because I wasn’t normal. I was an outcast. That nobody deserved to be inflicted by my existence. Like I was the plague itself.
By Ayesha Javed8 years ago in Psyche
