Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Forever Began
I am in love with THE most perfectly imperfect human being!! <3 Let me explain that statement. One year ago, I was on dating apps looking for true love. Cheesy line after cheesy line and date after date, I started noticing that it was very difficult for me to make true connections with people that go beyond friendship. I thought... “Man, there must be something wrong with absolutely everyone out there and I am wayyy too picky.” So one morning, I made the decision to close down all my dating apps and be alone for however long it would take for me to find love. In the process of closing down my POF account, I noticed that someone had “liked” my profile. I decided to read this beautiful girl's profile and I just knew I had to message this girl. Her smile had blown me away and so had her eyes. There was just something about her.
By Megan gallant8 years ago in Psyche
Naked Depression
Have you ever woken up to it being peacefully quiet? Surrounding yourself with the comforter and just breathing slowly, listening to the air conditioning softly cool the room down. This is what I imagine being dead is like. A soft, comfortable, silent room is what I think heaven consists of. That’s why I think they say “Rest in Peace,” because you’re resting. Recovering from your previous existence as you understand the purpose you used to have. As a 21 year old, I can identify as a depressed/psycho human being. I can identify as an anxiety consumed soul who has been medically diagnosed with depression/anxiety.
By Chase Morgan8 years ago in Psyche
Hope
This is not a fairy tale. There are no happy endings here. Her heart hurts all the time. Not physically, thankfully. However, all she ever feels is pain. She could be perfectly fine one minute and then the next she wants to break down and cry. Perhaps it's the fact that in her heart of hearts she believes she's destined for greatness. Something so powerful and so profound, completely out of the ordinary, and yet her life is nothing of the sorts. She's so far from being anything other than a shut-in that her soul can feel the devastation. She's only 25 and feels as though she's lived a lifetime because of the internal battles she’s faced. Nevertheless, one could argue, she hasn't lived at all.
By Alexis Fowler8 years ago in Psyche
Cracked
At the time I was introduced to Kintsugi—a Japanese art form, in which broken pottery is repaired using lacquer mixed with powdered precious metals: silver, gold, and platinum—I could truly relate to broken pottery; I felt ugly and useless, irreparably damaged. I was, for what seemed to be the hundredth time, in an outpatient treatment program for adults struggling with mental illness after yet another stay in a psychiatric hospital. I felt depressed; I felt hopeless; I felt hideous from the inside out. I honestly believed myself to be truly, irrevocably broken, and I saw no end in sight to the emotional turmoil or mental torture. I could not see any light in my life, because I was being buried wholly by the innumerable shards of my own destroyed self—the bits and pieces of my dysfunctional existence that I was clinging to for dear life, despite the pain they were causing myself and those around me. I remained stuck in this deep, dark rut of familiar pain until I was given information about Kintsugi by a counselor in this treatment program. Upon discovering this practice, I came to the realization that being cracked could be a positive in my life; because I am cracked, I have the opportunity to become the person I am meant to be, full of unique traits and beautiful imperfections, and, through those cracks, light has the potential and opportunity to infiltrate my darkness.
By Hannah Easop8 years ago in Psyche
Structure of the Deviant Act
An Interview on Deviance Introduction In looking at the structure of a deviant act one must put together somewhat of a puzzle by back tracking thoughts, motives, and environment. This paper will take an interview of a deviant act in a workplace and process it through deviant psychology. It is widely established that the Big Five personality traits of conscientiousness, agreeableness, and emotional stability are antecedents to workplace deviance. (Berry, Ones, & Sackett, 2007) Keep in mind that this is a deviant’s sided version of the experience. Self-ratings are a measure of identity, which is the internal dynamics that impact the individual’s future behavior. Observer ratings, however, capture an individual’s reputation. Identity can be used to explain behavior and concerns why someone behaves a certain way, whereas reputation concerns what an individual does. (R. T. Hogan, 2007)
By Tambré Bryant8 years ago in Psyche
Coping Mechanisms & Children
Some children very early on in their lives must come up with coping mechanisms, these are used to help the child process and be able to function while carrying the baggage that has been placed on them at such a delicate age. It’s no secret that some children have to deal with complex adult situations that they shouldn’t have to, but for some reason or another the universe found it fitting to throw them into an unwelcoming or harsh environment that the child did not choose. While unpleasant to think about and truly unfortunate that this happens, the best they can do is create their own coping mechanisms.
By Cheyann Strom8 years ago in Psyche
Treating Mental Health
If you or a loved one struggles with mental health issues of any kind, you're probably aware of the many barriers that stand in the way of treatment, diagnosis, and, sometimes, even safety. Particularly in rural areas, access to medical professionals who specialize in mental health are hard to find. Normally, there are only one or two options to begin with and they are, on average, about half an hour away. Then, once you locate them, they have so many patients that the nearest appointment that is up to three months out. On the peninsula part of Virginia called the Eastern Shore, even mental health emergencies can take a month to set up a medicinal or therapeutic system for the patient after the initial contact.
By Danni Greer8 years ago in Psyche
