family
Family can be our support system. Or they can be part of the problem. All about the complicated, loving, and difficult relationship with us and the ones who love us.
Keep out
I step through the front door as the driver stands behind me with the last bag of my belongings. I’ve been released from the hospital because my case worker found a foster home with an opening that could take me in. Olathe, KS. Another place, another school. Ive always hated changes and starting over. Being the new person is always so awkward. Yet I have to because I don’t have a choice.
By Paige Gray5 years ago in Psyche
My Wife's Long "Pregnancy" with Triplets
I was speaking to my older sister last night about this and how my marriage failed. My wife when I met her was a beautiful girl, and I was Amish, going to a non-Amish church service at my cousin Fannie's house. She was my cousin Simon's girlfriend. But it was not till I left that I really interacted with her.
By Joseph Slabaugh5 years ago in Psyche
Mental Illness Part 1 : The Genetic Factor
Looking back on my childhood memories (let's consider "childhood" in this instance to be birth to the onset of puberty), neither my parents or I knew or even considered that I may suffer from a mental illness. Born in 1972, mental illness in children rarely seemed to be a concern for parents or physicians in the upper-middle class community where I was raised.
By Gin Merritt5 years ago in Psyche
Projecting my trauma unto loved ones
I got out of the shower and told my son to get his sister because it was bedtime (10:30 pm). Alexandar ran to grandma's room and came back "um, grandma said she wasn't in there" I walked throughout the house calling her name and she was nowhere to be found.
By Jayme Rios5 years ago in Psyche
Counting Sheep, Losing Sleep
The first couple of days felt still. My sister's absence at home caused a void in every meal, conversation, and restless night. I fell into a numb routine of waking up, going to school, and coming home to lock myself in my room. At the time, ignoring everything felt almost as if it fixed what was trapped inside me.
By Tabitha Talks5 years ago in Psyche
Parenting with a Diagnosis of SMI (Serious Mental Illness)
So, You’re a Parent Living with a Mental Illness. Now What? You can be a loving and successful parent, even when you're not well. One of the best things you can do for your children is to raise them to understand that no single human is perfect. Allow them to make mistakes without punishing them so much that they feel they must be perfect. They need to understand that they are human, and humans make mistakes, have problems, feelings, and emotions. Teach them to be sympathetic and empathetic little humans. They will grow up less judgmental of others and more understanding!
By Dulcy Warfield5 years ago in Psyche
Existential dread.
Growing up I had a big house, I never had to worry about when my next meal was or anything. I had everything I needed. Seems like a walk in the park, huh? Not the case. I lived with my mom, stepdad, and my two sisters who are twins. My dad was completely out of the picture by the time I was 3 or 4. My mom told me he was touching me and took him to court and blah blah blah... Anyway, I went to school and always tried my best to make friends no matter how unsuccessful I was. People thought I was living the life at my big house in the safest neighborhood in town, again, not the case! What the kids at school didn't know was that I had to talk to numerous counselors and child protection workers because my mom and stepdad were hurting my sisters and I. There was constant arguing at my big house in the safe neighborhood. Flash forward a bit to the time I was about 8 years old, both of my sisters were taken out of my house because the court system found out about my parents abusing them. Yet, they left me, I'm 6 years younger, in the house with them. I was told what to say to the "mean city workers" and believed that I was being treated the way I deserved to be. I grew up thinking the worst about myself. I learned quickly to keep my mouth shut about my parents alcohol addiction, and stay out of their way. Eventually I couldn't handle that anymore and I had finally made a couple of friends. One of my friends had a brother that explored my body while I was passed out, high on marijuana. I didn't talk to anyone for almost a year. No one found out about it until my freshman year of high school and the court process took a year. Before I started high school my stepdad pulled a gun on one of my sisters and I, she was living with the man who touched me. He went to jail and came out "saved by the blood of Christ". It really took a mental toll on me, I still had to pretend everything was perfect. Throughout my 18 long years of living, I have continually asked myself why I am still here, the sense of hopelessness and worthlessness took over me and I've tried ending this long life four times. Antidepressant after antidepressant and still no one knows why I just don't want to be here.
By Cortney Lynn5 years ago in Psyche
House Without A Home
“You’re my property. I own you, and I have government papers to prove it.” These words I think about everyday. I see her red, splotchy complexion. I hear her slurred words and dragging steps. I hear her slamming herself repeatedly into my bedroom door, BANG BANG BANG, consequently breaking the lock mechanism. I feel my bed shaking as she bursts in, clutching the door to keep herself upright. I can smell the sweat and oil on her face, and I can smell the alcohol.
By Laurelin K. Hardin-Pietri5 years ago in Psyche
