Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Psyche.

My Unseen Recovery
Sometimes we wake up one morning and struggle with comprehending how we got to where we are right now. This is something that happens to me nearly every morning during my morning coffee as I sit at my kitchen table and reminisce about the "good ole days." The days when I knew exactly who I was as a person. Today I can honestly say that I do not recognize the person that I see staring back at me when I look in the mirror anymore.
By Alyssa Horn8 years ago in Psyche
The 6 Faces of Bipolar Disorder
Admittedly, bipolar disorder can be a pretty confusing disease. Having displayed symptoms since toddlerhood, I still don't understand everything. One of the most important things I have learned about my disease is how there are more than two sides to the coin. In fact, there are at the very least six distinct faces; six freely flowing phases. Of course, there are other things that are important too, but let's start here.
By Willa White8 years ago in Psyche
Support Groups
I went to my first support group meeting today. I was pretty nervous at first, but it didn't take me long to open up. There were four other people and they all seemed very open and accepting. I really enjoyed it because just to meet other people with the same diagnosis as me and have the same trial and error experience with medications and have the same daily struggles as me is very reassuring. We laughed about how we all agreed how bad Celexa was and shared what different medications we are currently taking. They gave me some good advice on medications to look into, coping mechanisms to try, and similar struggles that I could relate and empathize to. I feel like I know almost exactly what these people are going through and that it's similar to what I am experiencing. It makes me feel like I'm kind of less alone with this struggle. Its amazing what an hour and a half talk with random strangers can do for you. We talked about ways to think positively and how we can think of these problems as potentially beneficial. I shared that I probably wouldn't have gotten through my rigorous college program if I hadn't had generalized anxiety disorder to always keep me in fear. But in a way, it strongly motivated me to get everything done ahead of time so I wouldn't have to worry about it later.
By Ashley Pogue8 years ago in Psyche
My Take on My Depression
Depression: A mental condition characterized by feelings of severe despondency and dejection, typically also with feelings of inadequacy and guilt, often accompanied by lack of energy and disturbance of appetite and sleep.
By Vanessa Cache8 years ago in Psyche
When Life Gives You Lemons
Nothing you will read in these next few minutes is going to affect you. The pen might have been mightier than the sword in 1066, but not now. We're complex, and odd by nature, and not one thing someone finds useful helps everyone. But a few words in this short post may stir a feeling inside yourself, compelling you to make changes. Society as a place is dynamic, unique, and ever-changing. As humans we are a mere freckle that only just dips into the surface of everything, we are an insignificant freak of nature, an evolved species that developed a sentience: only a few people in the world know this. Most of you walk through life with your eyes closed, while others open, and those people see it all. Even fewer are bang on in between, some scientists, philosophers, have an even balance of the two. It's not bad seeing what’s only on the surface; go below that and a lot of ugly things persist down there. If it fulfills you to live that way, then enjoy it. We all expire at some point, we all have a shelf life, so do what you love. The only problem with that is that a lot of people can’t digest that state of mind. And these people all share a state of mind. That thing is depression.
By Chloe Jade8 years ago in Psyche
Describing My Depression
It feels as if there's a blanket wrapped around my body, and I'm underwater, the heavy blanket making it more and more difficult to swim up to the surface. I can feel the cool air on my finger tips but I just can't kick myself up. I'm in a panic. My chest hurts; it feels like my lungs are caving in. I need air. Every time I get close it feels like I'm dragged back 50 feet lower, the burning feeling in my chest only making my heart beat faster the lower I sink. It feels like drums from a marching band beating my chest. I can feel it in my arms, fingers, legs, toes, and my head. It feels like my heart is a race car, trying to win a race that I didn't sign up for.
By Brianna Bailey8 years ago in Psyche
Helping Yourself When Helping a Friend
Recently, great strides have been made with talking about mental health. The Heads Together campaign, together with Prince Harry opening up to Byrony Gordon on her podcast about his own issues, opened the door for mental health to become a topic that can be discussed in the open public sphere. Since then, there are internet campaigns, discussions on social media, and even more publicity and acceptance around being an individual with mental issues, which means that we are now in a time where there is more understanding than ever for the sufferer, and this is a great thing.
By Louise Mackin8 years ago in Psyche
The Problem with Depression
Growing up my parents had always told me, “Nothing in life is easy.” I’ve become accustomed to this saying to be true; especially while I deal with depression. The status of mental health in this country is astounding. Human beings of all ages, ethnicities, and sexualities often feel the overwhelming heartache that drag you down when you try to roll out of bed for a productive day. Despite nearly most of the United States feeling this way, people are still afraid to speak out about it. I was one of those people. Until now.
By Emi K8 years ago in Psyche
Bipolar, Perseverance, and What You Should Realize
The craziest idea I ever had was that someday I would be a famous actress, attending galas and awards ceremonies, collecting swag bags and hanging with the who’s who of Hollywood. I was the star of the play, two years running. Stage after stage, performance after performance, dressing up to watch The Oscars because I knew that I had to practice my acceptance speech before I got to the real thing. I looked for agents, went to auditions, read books, and memorized monologues. At drama club, I was bigger than life, and everyone in the room knew exactly where I wanted to be; Center stage.
By Willa White8 years ago in Psyche
OCD
Today is not a good day. Pretty much everyday is not a good day but today is one of those days where it just hits you and you break down. I struggle everyday with OCD, anxiety, fear, and stress, but at the same time also feel happiness, excitement, love... It's a constant tug of war in my head. Most days I just live with it because I have become so used to it but then there are other days when I just hide and avoid and I want to cry all day but I can't. I'm a mom and when you're a mom you can't hide, you can't avoid, and you can't cry all day.
By Carmen Loza8 years ago in Psyche
The Girl in the White Dress
Picture an old dirt road on a cold night. There's a light breeze picking up dust in the distance. You see the silhouette of a person walking and as you getting closer you realize it's a girl. She looks about seventeen or eighteen; she's barefoot, with long dirt blonde hair flowing loosely in the wind. You notice the breeze gently dancing through the wrinkles of her white dress. It's a long dress; it flows all the way down to her bare feet. Her feet look dirty like she's been walking for miles; you start following her.
By Cristian Carrasco8 years ago in Psyche
The D-Word
Throughout my life, I have had the displeasure of dealing with the "D-word" (depression). Although this word is tossed around often, many people do not truly grasp what depression is and how it presents itself. The Mayo Clinic defines depression as, “A mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life.” I suppose the silver lining is that I, along with many others, may feel alone, but in reality, we are far from it.
By Benjamin Phillips8 years ago in Psyche