Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
This Is What It's Like to Have Severe Anxiety
I've always had mild anxiety since I was a kid, I'd say since at least around age 13/14. It really didn't start getting bad til I was in my early 20's though. I was going through a really bad divorce around 23-24 when the panic attacks started to happen. My ex husband was really abusive. Emotionally, physically, you name it. He was very controlling and wouldn't even let me get my driver's license. He would threaten to wreck the truck with me in the passenger seat constantly. Always swerving and jerking the car, ready to kill us both. I didn't actually even get my driver's license 'til I was 25. I struggled with panic attacks just learning how to drive because of the way my ex was while I was in the car. To this day, driving gives me extreme anxiety.
By Jenna Lynn8 years ago in Psyche
There Are Things Worse than Wanting to Die
I used to want to die. And that, in and of itself, is a tragic epic about family drama, self-doubt, and the pressures of perfection. But why I wanted to die isn’t important yet. It just needs to be known that there was a time and space in which I existed where I wanted to end my life. So much so that I tried to prepare those closest to me for a world that didn’t have me in it. What a fucking plan that was. All that “preparation” did was end some of my most valued friendships and start a war with my mother that we don’t really talk about and never resolved. More importantly, it taught me that you could come to a place where you decide not to take your life and still lose it. But that’s neither here nor there now because the feeling that my life had value was short-lived. Honestly, I faked getting better (like ‘better’ isn’t a moving target) on some “I’m doing this for the people I love but more importantly I’m doing it for me” bullshit. All the while, for the last three years, I was going back and forth between saying “fuck this depression” and wanting to drive my car off of a bridge. ‘Was’ being the critical word there. Things are different now.
By Devon Rooks8 years ago in Psyche
The Great Question of Suicide
It was Albert Camus who first brilliantly framed for us perhaps the most monumental question man might ever decide. For hundreds upon hundreds of years the great thinkers had been arguing over how we came to know anything, where the concept of beauty came from, and how we ought to live; all these questions presupposing the most intimately personal decision of all, whether to go on living or to not.
By Little Wanderer8 years ago in Psyche
Postpartum
I have had this written for quite some time. It has taken me months to accept my mental health issues and learn to cope with them. Finding myself has not been easy. Please no harsh judgments, no assumptions. If you have questions just ask. Here is my experience with postpartum depression as I was going through it. Prior to me finally seeking help.
By Victorya Gomez8 years ago in Psyche
We Need to Stop Telling Trans People to Hate Their Body
This article stems from me reading several articles about how more and more Trans people are being diagnosed with eating disorders, and a lot of pent up anger that until now I haven’t really had an outlet for.
By Nathaniel Corns8 years ago in Psyche
Nevertheless, She Persisted...
Have you ever taken a moment and thought the smile on your friend's face was just a mask to hide the pain? When you look at someone, all that you see is their outer appearance. You don’t even bother to think about what may be going on in their life. We only focus on ourselves as that is our priority.
By Kelsey Waddle8 years ago in Psyche
12 of the Best Natural Anxiety Supplements
Anxiety affects a huge part of the population and with an increasing amount of chemicals and additives found in our daily diets, it’s important to find the best natural anxiety supplements. Symptoms of anxiety are diverse and can range from mild to extreme. Some of these symptoms include rapid heart rate, nervousness, insomnia, depression, decreased energy levels, and panic. In general, when trying to decrease anxiety symptoms, calming the body in a natural way can be most beneficial to the individual’s mental health. This is where herbal supplements can come into play as opposed to prescription medications. Herbal supplements can cause less permanent damage to the nervous system, while still managing to keep anxiety at bay. They are also more widely available and can be bought over the counter and online. Here are some of the best natural anxiety supplements on the market to consider.
By Alicia Springer8 years ago in Psyche
Dealing with Anxiety
It may seem like there isn't much you can do when you have so much crap going on in your mind. This happens to me every day... you are not alone. Sometimes I wake up thinking, 'Ugh I have so much to do before the weekends.' And honestly, I hate it. SMH, ADULTING! But I never let it get to me because it will just drive me crazy. When I overthink, I actually have the worst anxiety attacks, they really do hurt. I also go through phases where I have so much on my mind that I don't want to talk to anyone and that's never good, especially now that I'm more active on my campus. But anyways enough about me... Let me tell you how I get my shit together before I go CRAZY!...
By Cynthia Quinones8 years ago in Psyche
How To Deal With Anxiety
Anxiety has always been a part of my life. It controls everything I do from the time I wake to the time I go to bed and everything in between. It makes me the worst person to go out with because I cannot make decisions to save my life. It makes me come across as uncaring or indifferent when inside I'm fighting a tornado of negative emotions because I don't want to burden other people with my issues.
By Andrea Guyton8 years ago in Psyche
A Letter to My Eating Disorder
Dear Ana and Mia, This letter is to say thank you! Now that might seem slightly odd, thanking you for all the tough years you have put me through—17 years to be exact! I don’t thank you for the hurt and pain you put me through. Instead, I thank you for everything you have taught me!
By Dasha Willis8 years ago in Psyche
Let's Get Real
Let's get real ladies. Being a woman is HARD. Society expects so much of us, yet wants us to be able to admit when we are struggling. BUT if you do admit those struggles, you're weak or sharing too much of your private life or whatever excuse they can use to avoid helping us. I'm here to admit all of my struggles, and there's more than enough of those to go around.
By Kaylen Blesch8 years ago in Psyche
