Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
The Forgotten
There are a lot of people who crack jokes about asylums, including the entirety of the horror movie industry, and how terrible they are. I am no different. Looking back on the first time I saw the clock tower building at the edge of town I distinctly remember saying it looked like an old asylum. Honestly I meant that it would make a good scene for a horror movie, little did I know that I wasn’t far off. It was a behavioral health clinic in its prime. Once I actually moved to Topeka I started taking a more in depth look into the old asylum and its property.
By Courtney Seever8 years ago in Psyche
Panic Attacks - How To Help Yourself or a Loved One
Panic attacks suck. They can be debilitating. At times, they are brought on by built up stress-worries about getting the perfect score on an exam, or a recurring family conflict, like arguments about insufficient household funds. Sometimes they can be caused by a very sudden stressor, like a car accident. Then there are those unlucky lot who are ambushed by panic attacks out of the blue, for no reason at all. Random occurrences of panic attacks are especially common with people who have experienced some type of trauma in their life. Now, that doesn't mean that you can't have a panic attack if you haven't experienced a trauma. In fact, most people will experience at least one attack in their lifetime. Though it is far more common in people with anxiety disorders.
By Miss Daisy8 years ago in Psyche
No Bright Side with Anxiety?
What is anxiety? Anxiety is a feeling. A feeling that can drive a person mad. A thought that can convince someone it's true and a thought that will rest in the back of your head and come out when you're not ready. It's also deep in your gut that can make you feel nauseous and even physically sick. You'll feel terrified and your brain will be completely overwhelmed. You can feel your stomach churn and your brain pulse, it can feel like it's being crushed. Anxiety will make you over think every little detail and situation. Anxiety is a thought, mutated in your brain, and it'll convince you something is wrong. Something terrible can happen or even will happen. That maybe you caused this problem or mistake, and you'll wonder but how can you fix it. And you can. By seeking help. Bluntly. That's the truth. I hadn't, and there's been many times in my life I needed help, but didn't. Anxiety isn't just fear. It's so much more than a feeling. When it's happening, everything feels very real. Your fear will be the truth. And your thoughts will rule you.
By Danny Flow8 years ago in Psyche
Let's Talk About Mental Health as Writers
As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in the library of my university, desperate to be productive. I have a brand new notebook, brand new pens (coloured fine-liners to be snazzy!), and an iced soy chai latte from Starbucks. All of these things give me the illusion that I’m about to do something big, but that’s not always the case.
By Sharna Bennett8 years ago in Psyche
Hunger
The hunger started when you were about 15, you went to Jack’s with a couple of mates and he passed you a zoot. You’d never even smoked a cigarette before because you were such a little mummy’s boy. Didn’t know how to inhale properly, so you choked. Cough. Cough. Pass.
By mollyglinski8 years ago in Psyche
POV: Anorexia Nervosa
I told another lie today. A small one, so I could skip the food that my friends stuffed into their huge mouths. I stood up from the table, clutching my green tea, hands shaking. I told them I was going to take a quick walk outside while they ate. “Good job, you little rexxie, you’ve managed to escape yet another meal,” the familiar voice in my head rang.
By Lorah Catherine8 years ago in Psyche
Knowing the Signs
I wish someone would have seen the signs; I had bursts of anger, I self-harmed, I wet my bed until I was in second grade, and I never seemed to know my boundaries. When I was in elementary school, I was the sort of kid that everyone knew because I was always in someone's face, gleeful and bright. I was kind, intelligent, and played in the dirt until my hands and clothes were covered in muck. But when I transferred schools, I started to remember things that I had hidden in the back of my mind.
By Alastor Kommer8 years ago in Psyche
How To Deal with Narcissists. Top Story - November 2017.
"Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder in which there is a long-term pattern of abnormal behavior characterized by exaggerated feelings of self-importance, an excessive need for admiration, and a lack of understanding of others' feelings." – Wikipedia
By Fabianne Deacon8 years ago in Psyche
Depression is War
There’s a proliferation of articles and personal stories about depression from other warriors in this unseen battle of the mind. Some describe their battles with suicide while others offer up details on walking through this war torn existence and claim to have found peace. I applaud those who’ve found peace and hope one day to join your ranks. In the meantime, my battle rages on.
By Michelle Wallace8 years ago in Psyche
Life on the Edge
Everything was fine — at least that's what everyone around me thought. I was happy, dancing around, laughing out loud and having the greatest time of my life. I had everything I ever wanted, or at least that’s what they thought I wanted. All things considered I should be grateful for what I have or had. But, when the lights were turned off and there was no one around, the smile turned into a frown and tears flowed down my cheeks. Many nights I cried myself to sleep with a heavy heart. It was the only way to relive the pain… to feel whole in some way. Relive the heaviness. In the morning, I was the happiest person you'd ever meet. The smile and joy was back on my face. Truth be told, I was never happy, but being "happy" meant no one would keep asking me "what is wrong?" or say "you need to talk about it." See, being “happy” meant no more questions, no one trying to pry into my life. But I was never happy, I was alone with my thoughts.
By Irene Maina8 years ago in Psyche
