Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Dear Dementia
You're a thief. There's no cure for you, there's no way out of your grasp, there's nothing can stop you. Nothing but pain is what you leave behind. You're not a disease, but a syndrome. People never realize how much the human mind is worth until they meet you. You suck.
By Kiley Henry8 years ago in Psyche
To My Next Therapist
September 30, 2017 To My Next Therapist, I think about killing myself a lot. Swerving into traffic at the last minute, not caring if I’m driving too fast, or maybe “accidentally” taking too many Klonopin. The thought crosses my mind multiple times a day. But, I can’t tell you this without being immediately put on a 72-hour psych hold. I can’t talk to anybody at home without fear of someone calling the cops on me because I’m “a danger to myself.” I can’t have an honest conversation about my suicidal thoughts and the demons that provoke them without being reprimanded and detained.
By Edyn Schwartz8 years ago in Psyche
I'm Mentally Ill but I'm Also an Asshole
Revisiting a volatile relationship from my early 20s could either be the most enlightening experience of my week or it could make me want to chuck my phone across the room. I like to think that I'm not the girl from my early 20s anymore—aggressive, no fucks given, drunk as hell, and jealously paranoid... but there's only one way to find out, right?
By Fiona Wong8 years ago in Psyche
Emetophobia
For many people the title of this piece will be a foreign term. It ends with "phobia," so clearly it is about fear – but of what? A phobia is defined not just as a fear, but as an irrational fear of something. Common phobias include irrational fear linked to fire, spiders, snakes, heights, germs, etc... Emetophobia is a lesser well-known phobia, despite it being not all that uncommon. It is the fear of vomit, vomiting, people who are vomiting or who will potentially vomit. Vomit, vomit, vomit. Even writing that word several times is an exercise in exposure therapy. The mere word can trigger panic.
By Lauren Friesen8 years ago in Psyche
5 Emotions My Anxiety Can Look Like
During my 11 years of trying to navigate and understand my own mental health, I have become frustrated when my anxiety doesn’t always translate directly as nerves. We all know that emotions are never black & white, so here are a few examples of what my anxiety can appear as.
By Victoria K8 years ago in Psyche
Schizoaffective Disorder and Horror Video Games
One look at my Twitch’s history and you’ll find that I have a pretty specific video game genre of choice: horror. I love a good psychological thriller, slasher, fourth wall breaking, or otherwise, game that will make me jump and scream. On a deeper level, I love video games that trigger my psychosis and brings the monsters that I meet in my mind, to my TV screen.
By Fiona Wong8 years ago in Psyche
Ways Girls With Anxiety Show Their Affection Differently
Anxiety has a way of making you a bit different from the typical person. When you've got anxiety, you might need a little more reassurance than they average person. You might get easily startled by loud noises, or at times, might just need to take a break from the world.
By Sasha Konikovo8 years ago in Psyche
Don’t Say Rude Things About People Who Take Medication
To start off a conversation with someone you haven’t seen in years by saying “Oye loca” is plain rude. This means “Hey listen, crazy.” Oh I’m sorry, I finally have my hereditary illness under control. The person who did this was a family member and that is who I’m ranting about. It took me years to find the right meds that treat both bipolar 1 and schizophrenia, hence my diagnosis of schizoaffective. I finally got a chance to see a real psychiatrist, and not someone that makes you wait a lot just because I can talk about more esoteric subjects with them. Are you scared of me for the fact I have gained self-confidence and I practice witchcraft?
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in Psyche
Eating Disorders
You know that little voice inside your head that makes you feel guilty for eating too much? For some of us that voice turns on us and makes us not eat or throw up. Most people just ignore that voice but other people, well they just can’t make the voice go away. They have to do what the voice says like me. Actually I learned that voice doesn’t control me. I learned it’s okay to eat a little extra and that I don’t have to be skinny. The voice still makes me feel guilty at times and I can’t resist and then it’s back with the uphill climb.
By Lillibeth Rayanne8 years ago in Psyche
You Do Not Understand My Eating Disorder
Dear reader, Here's to the people who have shared this statement over and over again. For those of you who do not know me I suffer from anorexia. Anorexia is an awful illness that creates an intense fear around food and gaining weight (medical definition). Eating disorders vary from person to person. If you only hear this from me, hear this...I did not choose Ana, she chose me and she does not define me.
By Therese Kortesmaki8 years ago in Psyche
