anxiety
A look at anxiety in its many forms and manifestations; what is the nature of this specific pattern of extreme fear and worry?
I’m Not My Fathers Son
Hello. My name is Alaric. It’s an old name that means leader. I guess that my parents had high hopes for me. I was always the weird kid. My siblings often made fun of me because I enjoyed things like broccoli, brussels sprouts, asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, and beets. They hated them. They loved mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, chicken nuggets, and chocolate. I hated them. They liked watching cartoons on days there were no school. I enjoyed watching things about scientific discoveries. They talked about me because I was smart. I got straight A’s in all my classes and they, well, they didn’t. The thing that pushed it over the edge, however, was the fact that I never got sick. When they had the flu, when they had chicken pocks, I had a scratchy throat for half a day. Amirah, my sister, would often ask my parents what planet they got me from.
By David E. Perry10 months ago in Psyche
The Day Freedom Died. Content Warning.
America, land of the free, has fallen... it is no more. I never thought I would see the day this truly happened in the country I've proudly called my home since birth. The country my ancestors, elders, grandfathers, father, and uncles fought for. The country my partner fought for. The country I always praised and cherished... the country that taught me what freedom looked like. Now... I watch it perish under a regime of tyranny and evil that masquerades under the guise of religion and doing "God's" work. These are the moments that continue to reshape me... that redefine me just when I thought that I had reached my final state of definition. But the transformations are not always for the better... this particular time of change has me conflicted and tormented with guilt and disgust.
By Luna Verity10 months ago in Psyche
The Numb Age
Introduction: The Hidden Epidemic In today’s hyper-connected world, most of us are drowning—not in water, but in noise. Not from sirens or shouting, but from pings, reels, ads, and algorithmically curated chaos. It’s not a virus or a war. It’s something quieter, but just as damaging: dopamine exhaustion.
By Debarghya Chatterjee10 months ago in Psyche
Literary Psychology: Minor Depression and Major Depression
One of the psychological aspects that often appear in literary works is mental disorders, especially depression. Depression can generally be categorized into two forms: minor depression and major depression. Minor depression is often described as a temporary feeling of melancholy or sadness that can be overcome. Meanwhile, major depression has more complex and profound characteristics, involving a loss of meaning in life as well as destructive tendencies, even to the point of suicide. Through the perspective of literary psychology, this psychological condition is constructed through characterisation, symbolism, and narrative structure. Literary works not only reflect human experiences, but also become an effective medium in describing various forms of mental disorders, character struggles, and the social impacts that arise due to mental health problems (Septiaji, 2025). By understanding the representation of depression in literature, we can gain deeper insights into its psychological impact and implications for readers and society.
By Aji Septiaji10 months ago in Psyche
What You Eat Affects How You Feel: The Link Between Diet and Mental Wellness
Ever wolf down a donut and feel like a slug an hour later? Or munch a big salad and suddenly you’re ready to conquer the world? That’s your food talking to your brain, not just your stomach. What you eat can make you feel like a rockstar or a total grump. I’m diving into how your plate shapes your mental health, with dead-simple tips to eat better and vibe higher. No fancy jargon here—just real talk from someone who’s been there (yep, I’ve had my share of ice cream regrets).
By Diya Shamal Daher10 months ago in Psyche
The Quiet That Screamed
They say there is a silence so loud, it tears the skin of your thoughts. It doesn't arrive like a thunderclap or a scream or the slam of a door at midnight. No. It comes like dust. Slow. Gentle. Undefinable. Until one day you look around and realize the world has stopped responding. You speak, and nothing echoes back, not even your own voice. You reach for something solid—work, love, prayer, even pain—and your hand passes right through it like it’s smoke. And suddenly, the life you thought was yours feels like a film projected on fog. You can see it. Almost touch it. But not enter. That’s what happened to me. And I don’t remember when it started. That’s the worst part. There was no explosion, no death, no dramatic betrayal. Just the slow, quiet erosion of meaning.
By Beyond The Surface10 months ago in Psyche
How Much Phone Time Is Too Much?. AI-Generated.
Introduction: The Invisible Habit We All Share We touch our phones over 2,600 times a day, according to some estimates. From checking messages first thing in the morning to doomscrolling late at night, our daily routines are increasingly shaped by glowing screens. But how much screen time is too much? Is it possible that our eyes, brains, and sleep cycles are paying the price?
By Ahmet Kıvanç Demirkıran10 months ago in Psyche
The Metamorphosis of the Mind
Prologue Before the world begins to change around us, the most profound revolutions occur within. In the deepest chambers of the mind—where fears whisper, dreams flicker, and memories fold into silence—true metamorphosis takes place. This is the story of a man who, in forgetting who he was, learned who he could become.
By Malik Kashif10 months ago in Psyche
My Guests
I sat in that room I was born in. I spent formative years with the duality watching over me. They were treacherous; at times affectionate and nurturing; others cold and barbaric. From kisses to strikes across my cheeks, to kicks above my knees. An upbringing riddled with light and darkness; a preparation for their departure and my first guest.
By Andrew Dominguez10 months ago in Psyche
The Mind Wanders
Before I begin, I would like to tell you, the reader, that I’m okay. This narrative is prompted by a Vocal challenge entitled “The Metamorphosis of the Mind.” This challenge is a no more than 2,500-word and no less than 1,000-word piece where I, the author, am supposed to share a transformative moment from my mental or emotional journey. For the past few years, while being a Vocal Plus member, I have been entering these challenges in the hopes of likes, reads, subscriptions, and, of course, prize money. My entries, thus far, have been mostly fictional pieces of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and the occasional poetry. I report that to date, I have not won nor have had an honorable mention, which is okay. I am hopeful that I will at least sharpen my skills to where someone enjoys my writing enough to continuously want to read what I put out on Vocal. This challenge, however, is different. This challenge wants us to explore our own psyche and present a moment of our lives to you, the reader. I did not know where to begin with this entry, for you see, I believe I have experienced a more than average share of personal growth. Let me quickly explain.
By Anthony Diaz10 months ago in Psyche
