Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Truth of Depression
Taylor feels that she lives a good life. She feels that she has friends, a supportive family, and everything she needs as well as some wants. Nothing traumatic has happened to her or to any of her close friends and family recently. She is active in school, sports, and in the community. She loves to be with friends and continues to love reading and being with her family as she always has. However, during finals week, Taylor has felt more overwhelmed with schoolwork and feels there’s not enough hours in the day. With this stress, Taylor wonders if she may be depressed.
By Jasmine Lass8 years ago in Psyche
Trigger Warning: Depression
Sometimes depression is really warranted: when friends bail, leaving an aching heart and lonely schedule, or when lovers disappear and stop responding to your calls. But then there are other days, days like today, where nothing at all causes the depressive state; it just happens. Yesterday was Monday, so the depression made sense, and the weather was shitty too, which would also warrant a lowered mood. But today, today is Tuesday, one day closer to Friday, one day farther from Monday. The weather isn’t awful, and the sun is shining. So why? Why, today, is the depression once again eating away at my flesh and bones like a hungry, blood guzzling, monster?
By Donna Sczygelski8 years ago in Psyche
The Quitter Chronicles
I've dropped out of school way too many times to count. I graduated late, at the age of 21. Boy, did that ever hurt my self-esteem. I'd log into Facebook and see people posting university or college grad photos, while I was trying not to die off the pills I took. This feeling would make me take more pills. Probably take another big gulp of Bombay, too. You obviously don't know my story, but you'll learn my history soon. I'm three years into recovery. I only consume vaporized nicotine and synthesized caffeine now.
By James Harrison8 years ago in Psyche
What’s Left of Me
The nearly empty glass dropped from my hand. I felt my grip loosen and gasped, but time seemed to inch forward at a crawl. The edge tilted towards the floor, gravity’s inexorable grip drawing the last inch of wine one drop at a time into the gray shag carpet. The fabric absorbed the impact of the glass, rolling it under the table without shattering it, leaving a red stain, like blood, behind it.
By Chadlai Shade8 years ago in Psyche
My Word
The English language is made up of various other languages and cultures to make up the words we use on a every day basis. There is a word for almost everything you feel, hear, taste, and see. For example, there's a word for the sound the wind makes as it passes through the trees: "psithurism." This word is taken from the Ancient Greek word "psithurismos" meaning "I whisper." The feeling of pleasure and contentment can be defined as happiness, in which the root word "hap" can be taken from the Old French root word "heur" and the German word "Gluck," both meaning good fortune and happiness. The list of words goes on and on, but there is one word, one definition, that I have yet to find—my word.
By Justine Lagos8 years ago in Psyche
Living with OCD
For majority of my life, I was told you're just acting crazy and to just stop doing certain things. I tried very hard to stop but deep down I knew I wasn't crazy. But instead there was just something different about me and the way my brain worked. So as you can imagine the day I was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, was a relief for me regardless. Just that realization that you were right all along, you just didn't know what you had. Now it's years later I went through a ton of different habits or rituals which ever you prefer to call them. Some of them might sound a bit strange like it hasn't escaped me, it's just hard to not do them. Some even make daily things or things I have to do extremely hard for me. Like most people in their lives have cleaned a oven with no issue doing so. Well for me it's hard I want to clean it so bad, but my brain then starts to tell me it's gonna turn on and burn me. Now the rational part of my brain knows that is wrong but the other part over powers that. So cleaning that oven becomes a huge struggle and I hate it if were being honest.
By Jessica Keller8 years ago in Psyche
Mindfulness and Relaxation Apps for Kids with Anxiety
Having anxiety is terrible as it is, but when children go through it, it's the worst. Since their young minds can't always find ways to cope, it can really affect them. There are many ways for adults to cope with anxiety, but it's sometimes still not enough. Anxiety overall can be controlling; affecting your mind, behavior, and your body. That's why children with anxiety should be helped at their youngest age.
By Jennifer Violet8 years ago in Psyche
Thoughtsoutloud
Introduction: When there are high levels of stress or excitement, my mind goes into an uncontrollable chaos. So intense, that conversations begin to play loudly in my head, taking a life of their own. Over the years, they have begun to be a part of my daily life, anticipating which voice I’d hear the loudest. Responding to them out loud, would certify me as crazy, so, I observe them. Taking note of which is dominate or submissive. Voice one is my normal one, the everyday Jackie voice. Voice 2 reminds me a lot like Louise from Bob’s Burgers. Sarcastic. A youthful, playful energy yet at times can be extremely annoying, Voice 3 is the spiritual “dark cloud” that appears when I am the lowest. With the deepest blue eyes, she’s cynical and sad. The following is a scenario in which all of these voice came together and actively played loudly my mind.
By Jay Williams8 years ago in Psyche
Empty
It seemed like the perfect time to die. Alex had been thinking about his death for a long time now, fantasizing about the way he would do it, imagining the look on everyone's faces, the silent vigil and tiny shrine his classmates would come up with. Would they regret not talking to him? Would they regret the way they seemed to look through him? He wondered if anyone at school would truly miss him.
By Astha Writes8 years ago in Psyche
Holiday Gift Ideas for Someone With Anxiety
As someone who has been clinically diagnosed with anxiety, I understand how every day can be a constant battle. Anxiety can ruin your life, if you let it. The mind races, the heart beats faster, and it can even become difficult to breathe.
By Dr. Ethan Levi8 years ago in Psyche
Best Books on Overcoming Anxiety to Read
Anxiety disorders can make even the simplest everyday activities seem like an impossibility. And, if you don't start taking care of your mental health, things will only get progressively worse over time. However, don't think you are alone and there is nothing you can do about it. Millions of Americans are in a similar position, and there are things you can do to overcome anxiety.
By Stan Kubler8 years ago in Psyche
