trauma
At its core, trauma can be thought of as the psychological wounds that persist, even when the physical ones are long gone.
Triggered
I am a survivor of domestic abuse. When most people learn that they are surprised. More than once I have been told that I don't act like a "victim," my attitude is too bad, or I appear to be too strong to let someone hit me. The truth of the matter is, that's not how abuse works. It wouldn't matter if I was Mr. Universe with the will of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, if someone wants to bring you down, they will. It's a matter of how they do it.
By Edward Anderson7 years ago in Psyche
The Merciful Blue Sky
A girl with hazelnut hair with eyes to match, sat on the edge of a cliff. Forests of huge redwoods surrounded her, green as ever. She was looking out at the brilliant blue sky, it was clear and refreshing. Not a cloud in sight. As her gaze settled on the vastness above, she was remembered the friends she lost. Her best friend, her best friend's brother and her lover. She saw all those lost memories, all those wonderful times in a vision above her. She looked down below her, watching her dangling feet and the worn sneakers that barely clung to them. Such a long way down. But she could see her friends down at the bottom waving up.
By Avery Burroughs7 years ago in Psyche
Forgiveness
I've been hurt a lot in my life—obviously, everyone has—and all through my adolescence and young adult life, one thing that has been consistently shoved down my fucking throat is the importance of forgiveness. Apparently, it's important to forgive and let go for the sake of yourself or some shit. Yeah, okay.
By Kay Deschain7 years ago in Psyche
Recovering After Trauma
Just a little bit about some of the traumas I have personally experienced in my life: I was sexually abused for seven years by two male family members. A few years after that, I found myself in a physically, sexually, and emotionally abusive relationship for two and a half years. Then after that, I found myself in another abusive relationship for about seven months. I ended up getting pregnant and not knowing; we were broken up and he found me at a friend's house leaving to beat me up outside. I ended up having a miscarriage. I was eight weeks along. I have also experienced severe physical trauma. I was hit by a semi-truck and thrown off the freeway. That really messed with my emotions. I struggle everyday with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Not to mention how much all of this trauma has effected my self-confidence.
By Krisjoyy Smith7 years ago in Psyche
How Can I?
It's not easy for me to be nice to you, to ask if you need anything. My whole life I grew up with you telling me I was worthless, lazy, a bitch, a cunt, a whore, telling me I am going to grow up to be just like my birth-mother. I went through my childhood wondering what I ever did to get treated so damn dirty by someone who is supposed to love me and protect me. You were the one who took me in when my own birth parents did not want to be parents. It was not easy living with you. Words hurt and do cause pain, they can cut so deep you think you wont be able to stop the bleeding. All the times I took a blade to my skin I was trying to release the agony and pain I still feel to this day.
By Renee Knadler7 years ago in Psyche
Scared of Things that Aren't There
Hello! This is my first story in Psyche and I am very excited but also anxious to share my experiences and struggles with the world. I hope that anyone who reads them can learn something new since my goal is for people to see and understand a different point of view in my life. A life of a 17-year-old with many struggles but also strengths.
By Scarlett Wood7 years ago in Psyche
The Trauma Hijack
We've all heard of the fight or flight response. What's not as well known is the freeze response that's also a potential automatic response to danger. This is particularly relevant in the #metoo era to help understand people's seemingly unusual reactions during traumatic events.
By Ashley L. Peterson7 years ago in Psyche
The Frightening Consequences of Childhood Trauma
It's no secret that abuse and neglect in childhood cause damage to the child. It's unsurprising that psychological harm could persist for many years. What is less known, though, is the profound connection between negative experiences in childhood and adverse health outcomes in adulthood. The Adverse Childhood Experiences was the first large study to shine a stark light on just how overwhelming this link was.
By Ashley L. Peterson7 years ago in Psyche
The Life I Never Asked For (Pt. 2)
I had sat a year in the juvenile prison, I was considered a repeat offender and a criminal. I honestly didn't care, because I was safe. I sure did my fair share of dumb things, and getting myself a criminal record just to screw myself over was one of the worst. While I was there, I had a lot of time to think about my life. The fact that my so called family never visited just made my hatred so much worse for them. I knew I didn't want to go home, I didn't want to do drugs anymore. I wanted a happy and clean life.
By Kay Mellinger7 years ago in Psyche
U-turn (Pt. 1)
To resemble any person’s story is to start from the roots of it all. Growing up, it was not the typical Chinese family nor was I being submerged in loving and kindness. My father was a single dad divorced when I was four. A four-year-old not truly knowing the meaning of days, let alone being stripped away from my biological mother. Moving to the United States was the plan for my father since I was his care now. At the age of eight, I came to Los Angeles with boxes of trauma and trembling heart. However far away from my birth town and mother, the images of my father beating my mother were still encapsulated into my head while trying to adjust to things around me, the culture shocks!
By Aiyan Turley7 years ago in Psyche
The Night That Haunts Me
Looking back at the seven year old girl doing her homework on “what I want to be when I grow up,” I never thought I would be the twenty-one-year-old sitting, frozen still, weeping in the shower. I never imagined that if anyone grabbed my neck (even in a playful way) again, I would have flashbacks of his heavy weight crushing my body and soul. I never believed that I would have to explain to my parents why I am seventeen and pregnant and how it wasn’t my fault. And worst of all, I never thought it would come from someone I loved. I carry a hatred in my heart for someone I once trusted with my life. It took me months to get over the nightmares. Now, I am thankful they only come weekly. It took me so long before someone could touch me or hold my hand. But I believe it’s unfair to not tell you everything. So here I go..
By Valentina Sophia7 years ago in Psyche
