Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
A Bitter Bitch's Biography
Remember in the old cartoons when someone, usually a large, very angry chef would whip out an even larger fish and just slap a guy in the face? Then the guy gets so angry that his whole body turns red and bursts into flames? That's what it was like the first time someone called me bitter. A dear friend of mine had gotten engaged and the conversation turned to my being single where a series of 'positive' encouragements washed over me like a sea of overly-hopeful mothers. I responded like any other smart-ass would have: 'Oh, I just haven't found anyone willing to put up with me.' Then, the four most dangerous words were spat at me by an eighty year-old man: "Oh, don't be bitter." His words resonated with me for days. Was I being bitter? I was ecstatic for my friend and surely I am not being bitter if I am happy for her. Yeah, I was a little jealous of their 'inspirational couple' status. But I was still happy for her. In my mind, bitterness and happiness could not exist at the same time. If you were bitter, then you were just a sad and angry person. I used to think bitterness went hand in hand with resentment. I am here to tell you that I was wrong. Am I still bitter? Sure am. But, am I happy? Absolutely.
By MichelleLuongo8 years ago in Psyche
We Have to Stop Telling People They "Aren't Fat"
One of the most difficult and irritating things to hear in eating disorder treatment was “Fat is not a feeling.” It was a phrase that was repeated over and over, and until recently, I didn’t fully understand what it was meant to convey. All I knew was that, shortly after hearing those words, I’d be forced to come up with what I was feeling on an emotional level rather than shove it under the label of “fat”.
By Chelsea Clark8 years ago in Psyche
It's Always Fine, Until it Isn't
Let me preface this entire article by saying that anxiety and depression have been an active part of my life since I was 14. Now, as an almost 21 year old, I have learned how to handle these two destroying illnesses way better than I ever thought I would be able to. I have been able to find coping mechanisms and exercises that keep me right side up while my world is toppling down around me.
By Renee Antonia8 years ago in Psyche
Living with Clinical Depression
Living undiagnosed makes for a difficult childhood. For the first nineteen years of my life I believed the distorted reality I was presented with. In my world I was unloved and life was bleak and hopeless. I never thought I was unhappy, simply because I had never experienced real joy or emotional fulfillment. You can't miss what was never there.
By Johnny O'Neill8 years ago in Psyche
The Best Apology Is Changed Behaviour
When we make a mistake in life, we tend to harbour that guilt and shame as self-loathing and constant fear of making the same mistakes again. It’s the old saying, "Forgive yourself first," that we hear over and over again when seeking for advice on how to move on after once again self-sabotaging our own happiness. We obsessively read positive quotes, wallow in our misery, and then find something to distract ourselves until we move on to make the same mistakes and end up in the same situation years, or even months, later. Sound familiar? This is the negative repetition that was my routine throughout my life until recently. How did I finally stop distracting myself from the pain and end the negativity that had resulted in copious amounts of failed relationships, and years of low self-esteem? The answer may sound cliché, and we’ve all heard it before, but learning to love yourself is your only option to get yourself out of the never-ending cycle of self-sabotage.
By Anna Pembrey8 years ago in Psyche
Discovering Asperger's as an Adult
I'm a 43-year-old married mother of three children and two step-children. I recently discovered that I have what used to be called Asperger's Syndrome but is now just referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder. I'd like to share with you how this discovery has affected me.
By Aspie Insider8 years ago in Psyche
Skills to Prevent Relapse, Continued
Continued from Part 1, which discussed the Mindfulness and Distress Tolerance modules. MODULE 3: EMOTION REGULATION Emotions are a tricky thing to deal with, and this is especially true for people who struggle with addiction. Emotion regulation skills are intended to guide us through life in a way that minimizes emotional crises or extremes. The emotion regulation skills are the following: PLEASE, Build Mastery, Opposite-to-Emotion Action, Problem Solving, and Letting Go of Emotional Suffering.
By Alice Minguez8 years ago in Psyche
