Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
How My Anxiety Ruined My Life
When I was in elementary school I have a distinct memory of sitting in my fifth grade class and out of nowhere I just felt...weird. My heart began to beat like crazy, I felt hot all over, almost like my body was becoming engulfed in flames. Though I was sitting still, I felt as though my body was vibrating. All around I felt an uneasy sense of something not being right. I was nine years old. I didn’t know what was happening to me.
By Jade Melling8 years ago in Psyche
Living with Borderline Personality Disorder - the Diagnosis
It took a lot out of me to muster up the courage to make it to my therapy appointment on time. By the time I had gotten dressed, the anxiety of leaving the house had set in. The lurking thoughts of my fear of driving —thanks to my car accident earlier in the year — caused my heart to race. It did not stop pounding on the trip across town, not even as I arrived, only intensified as I entered the behavioral health office. Step one, check, I told myself. I made it to the office. Without making eye contact with the receptionist, I checked in and flipped through our local newspaper (supplied by the office) to try to ease my anticipation. The therapist called my name, led me to her office, and closed the door behind me; not only ensuring my legally-required privacy, but sealing me inside her office to unleash my life story and traumas in what should have taken an hour… but dragged on well past two. She took a long time to think and write down my experiences.
By Jess Didway8 years ago in Psyche
Silent Killer
Searching the internet to find out what is the easiest, most efficient way, to commit suicide, isn’t what I thought I’d be doing at the age of 19. When you're 6 years old, and your teacher asks what you want to be when you grow up, my mind didn’t race to having clinical depression and Googling how many of my antidepressants would it take to end my life. And yet there I was. At my lowest. Sobbing uncontrollably for the millionth time in my kitchen floor, hoping that I could cry out all the pain. For it all to stop.
By Starry Eyed8 years ago in Psyche
Lacking the X-Mas Spirit
Los Angeles, CA The twinkling lights, cold wind, and short days. All signs representing that time of year. Now normally, with all the hot chocolate and Christmas movies running on a never-ending cycle, the holiday spirit would have already hit and give a feeling of warmth and happiness. As for now, life still feels a little lack-luster even if those twinkling lights try to ignite something from within. Although you'd love to enjoy the festivities, you can't quite seem to feel as dazzled as everyone else might be. You might be thinking that it just hasn't hit you yet, but with each passing day, that feeling never really shows up.
By Jennafer Viera8 years ago in Psyche
What Anxiety is to Me - 2
Another pivotal moment in my life. I used to play softball in high school, I was a first-baseman and could do everything behind the plate. But as you know, my anxiety was terrible in high school. In my sophomore year, I decided to quit. I was struggling too much with my anxiety — more specifically social anxiety. I decided I wouldn't play in the summer program or the next year. I needed to take a break to figure out my anxiety.
By Madie Alessi8 years ago in Psyche
My Inner OCD Battle
It's Saturday 4pm and my husband isn’t off until 6 or even later plus he has to drive home. Oh joys! On a rainy day like today, my two energized kids can’t go outside and have already watched two movies. They were both Disney classics with good morals, right? My patience disappeared hours ago and my baby won’t take a decent solid nap for very long, thanks to his big sisters. My hope of burning energy running up and down the stairs wasn’t worth my loud voice anymore. Oh wait, someone just asked me for a snack and the other child drug her princess gown blanket along my dirty kitchen that hasn’t been cleaned for weeks. To top it all off, I’m still in my PJ’s and don’t remember when I combed my hair last!
By Stacey Gividen8 years ago in Psyche
Living With a Narcissist
If you know or suspect somebody is a 'Narcissist,' chances are asking them isn't going to do you any good. Reading through articles and books written by rare narcissists who have realised their condition, it’s easy to see how difficult it is to encourage them to change their behaviour. In some cases, the self assured and unapologetic tone of these works is eerie at best. Narcissism by definition makes a person less likely to see that there is anything wrong with themselves, which makes it difficult to diagnose. After all, how do you break through to someone who is entirely convinced that they are right?
By Lily Hannah8 years ago in Psyche
Are You Mentally Weak?
I recently came across one of those articles that constantly circulate on our Facebook feeds, the ones with the catchy titles such as “10 ways to know if he’s into you,” or “12 personality traits that prove you’re an annoying girlfriend.” You know, those articles none of us really question or believe, but read anyway? This specific article was called “13 things mentally strong people don’t do” and it was published on a website made to empower, inspire, and build so that people can #livetheirbestlife.
By Chloe Lallouz8 years ago in Psyche
