Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
5 Common Misconceptions About Anxiety Disorders
1. If a situation makes you anxious… AVOID IT. Terrible words of advice in anyones book. Although the initial relief of avoiding a situation is somewhat addictive, because the anxiety will subside. This will be harmful in the longterm. Every time that a situation is avoided it then becomes a much larger "hurdle" for the next time, also meaning that the anxiety will be greater next time.
By Ellis Richardson8 years ago in Psyche
Healing Abandonment
Abandonment. It’s a harsh word, and even harsher to experience personally in your life. It comes in many forms, and it makes you feel like you aren’t worth it to someone else. You aren’t important enough that they stuck around. Or truly listened to you, because not being really listened to and heard is another form of abandonment. Either way, you feel unimportant. This is why so many people in this situation, whether in childhood or adulthood, have depression and anxiety, and often borderline personality disorder, which I was told I had last year. I don’t trust the modern medical system at all, though, so of course I dismissed my doctor’s words, and have since stopped going to her, looking instead now for a doctor who practices a more holistic, naturopathic approach.
By Holly Mooney8 years ago in Psyche
Just Cheer Up
Often, people with depression and anxiety are told to just smile or cheer up. They are told to think about how good they have it. Unfortunately, if you have never experienced a mental illness firsthand, it is difficult to see what is actually happening and what’s behind it. There are many reasons for mental illness to occur, and it can occur in a variety of people from many different backgrounds. It can be a chemical imbalance in the brain; it can be caused by environmental factors, and many other reasons, some that may not have been discovered yet. There is still a lot about mental illness we haven’t discovered or don’t understand yet.
By James Howell8 years ago in Psyche
Bad Nerves
"He was bad with his nerves, you know." I've always been slightly suspicious of the tendency to try to stick a diagnostic label that's the size of the launch pad at Cape Canaveral on every variant of human behaviour. We humans are a diverse bunch, and history offers proof of the depth and freakish ingenuity of Homo Sapiens as a species. It also demonstrates our endless capacity for self-delusion, particularly when it comes to the workings of our own psyche. The goal to define and categorise these *wonderful* divergences is laudable, but sometimes putting someone in a box means that you throw them away.
By The Duffers Diary8 years ago in Psyche
Reasons Why I No Longer Like '13 Reasons Why'
(Content warning: Discussions on suicide, self-harm, and sexual assault) 13 Reasons Why is a Netflix Original series based on the successful novel by Jay Asher. The story follows the aftermath of a young girl's suicide and the aftereffects on the school, community, and the people left behind. After her death, Hannah Baker leaves behind tapes with thirteen reasons why she killed herself and instructions stating that the tapes must be heard by the people that are on them.
By Ivania Gutierrez8 years ago in Psyche
Developing Misophonia at a Young Age
When you are seventeen years old, it's common to listen to your younger siblings running rampant throughout the house squealing at the top of their lungs and respond by getting irritated with how loud they're being. For some of us, noises that annoy the majority are noises like the clicking of pens, the tapping of fingers on a table and (strangely), in a vast majority, Nickelback’s music. I personally enjoy Nickelback. I find it fascinating, but that’s besides the point. Irritation comes naturally.
By McKy Sillitoe8 years ago in Psyche
Daily Struggles of a Self-Proclaimed Genius/Sociopath
Every day is an act to try to be the best boyfriend or the best friend you could ever ask for. I act like an idiot to make close friends laugh, intentionally mispronouncing things, and placing myself in traps of humble embarrassment, just for the sake of my loved ones amusement. But I also sit with them, consider politics and ideas with them, trying to get the staggered voices in my head into the room, and see how it sticks to the walls and on the faces of those listening. They all sit and nod, explaining their agreeable perspective on the situation, making our friendship even stronger.
By Sterling Turner8 years ago in Psyche
Struggling With Mental Health
Depression and other mental health issues affect everyone in different ways. This is why it is important to get the right help that is needed. I have had medical and mental health issues for most of my life. I remember the first time dealing with a major breakdown when I was in high school. I had started cutting and my life just felt like it was spinning out of control.
By Crystal Nicole8 years ago in Psyche
Facebook in the Wake of Anthony Bourdain's Suicide. Top Story - June 2018.
My Facebook newsfeed is usually comedians making jokes or sharing articles that highlight the wretched state of the world. But as news of Anthony Bourdain's suicide spread, my news feed was radically transformed into a place where people spoke candidly about their mental illness. My feed was transformed into a place where people were emotionally vulnerable and receptive to emotional vulnerability, and I can think of no more beautiful a sendoff for Anthony Bourdain than that. I only wish that it would last more than one day.
By Ben Kharakh8 years ago in Psyche
