Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Manic Depression
I've always struggled with depression and it took me many years to figure out exactly what it was. It wasn't until I was an adult I realized what I had been experiencing had a face. It's not the cry for help everybody thinks it is, nor is it something someone is using to seek pity. There are highs and lows and both seem to require a "mask" or "persona". I know what you must be thinking, why would a high require a mask? Isn't that a good thing? Well, I'm here to explain how it might not always be such a good thing and help those who maybe don't understand how the lows aren't as bad as they seem either.
By Athena Sky8 years ago in Psyche
A Modest Proposal, the True Dangers of Narcotics
As a child, I watched my mother weasel her way into countless doctor offices and con them into writing her prescriptions for highly addictive painkillers and narcotics, such as Xanax, OxyContin, and Hydrocodone. She convinced them she was in unbearable physical pain, which was not entirely false. Yes, she was in pain, but that pain was not somatic, but mental. Years of emotional distress and misfortune led her down a path of addiction that tore her from her family and ultimately contributed to her death.
By Alyson McGowan8 years ago in Psyche
Battling with Self-Harm
The first time I harmed myself I was 7, I’d never heard or knew anything about people hurting themselves before. All I knew was at first I wanted attention. At seven years old you’re supposed to be playing outside, riding bikes, and playing with Barbie dolls. (Those are the things I used to do). Instead of doing childly things I was earning for my mother's attention. I had just started living with her again.
By Uniquely Dess8 years ago in Psyche
Tips for Coping with PTSD
I want to start by saying that PTSD by definition is a condition that is diagnosed to those who have either witnessed a traumatic or have experienced a traumatic event in their lives. For instance and I am going to be completely honest by saying this, I have been molested as a child and raped as an adult. I found my boyfriend dead on our bathroom floor when I was 19. At one point when I was in my early twenties, I was homeless and I saw a lot… that is when the rape occurred. Back then I was lost as well as broken. A broken empty shell of a person that jumped from one abusive relationship to another. The last abusive relationship damn near killed me, literally. There was one night I can remember even praying for death because the pain was just too much to bear. After I finally was able to leave I found myself at a shelter for the battered and abused women. It was then that I began therapy, started college, moved into my apartment, and was diagnosed with PTSD. I still struggle with the anxiety, nightmares, and depression. So I know what it is like and I am here to help with coping mechanisms.
By Alyssa Horn8 years ago in Psyche
Somewhere I Belong
Seeing the flames rise higher and higher I don't know what to do when it comes. Pouring red lava from the volcano, my mind racing a million thoughts per minute but not able to see clearly through anything, there will always be a storm before the rainbow, and there will always be light after the clouds, but what comes in between? The fiery anger that we feel when we feel there is no place we belong on this earth.
By Emily Buehner8 years ago in Psyche
The Bipolar Relationship
Having Bipolar disorder is hard enough on its own. Having Bipolar disorder and trying to maintain a healthy relationship can be pure hell. The mood swings, the long bouts of depression, the periods of mania. I have heard it described as never knowing each morning whether or not Tigger or Eeyore will be in charge for the day. No truer statement has ever been made.
By Bekah Milstead8 years ago in Psyche
Living With BPD and Multiple Sclerosis
No one wants any diagnosis. Hell, when I heard “multiple sclerosis,” I was stunned because of all of my research and my being over-dramatic attitude, I thought I had a brain tumor or something. I could have almost accepted that. I DID almost accept that. But this is life long and it’s been over a year now, which may seem like nothing to a lot of people who have had it for years and years, like my mother who’s had it for over twenty years. And when you throw in the mental illness? I feel like I’m one big ball of crazy sometimes. I’ve had the borderline personality along with bipolar depression and anxiety for awhile, most of my young adult years. High school was a struggle. In fact, I switched schools due to bullying but still graduated early. Let’s not get off track, shall we?
By Kiley Roberts8 years ago in Psyche
When Postpartum Depression Hits
Pregnancy is supposed to give joy, gratitude, and love... so why didn't I feel any of those things? When the Bough Breaks You hear people talk about it, and if you've been pregnant, your doctor or midwife probably brought it up briefly during your pregnancy, and during your postpartum appointments. It's probably not something you think will impact you, especially if you've been lucky enough not to have any experience in having mental health issues.
By Letitia Lou8 years ago in Psyche
Video Games, Depression, and a Seemingly Unlikely Way to Cope
If I sat here typing this ten years ago, I couldn't tell you where I'd be, how I'd feel, and what I'd want to feel. It's a reality that 2.6% (roughly 5.6 million people) of the American Population a year - must face every waking minute once they crawl out of bed. It's a disorder that isn't easily taken care of unless medicated to an extent that even medication may not help without some guidance from doctor. It's also a reality I live with. One I've been living with for nearly sixteen years out of my thirty - going on thirty one years of life. There's times where waking up feels like walking through a tar pit while dealing with a monsoon at the same time. It's one that can easily be calmed when grabbing onto a PlayStation 4 controller or even an Xbox One controller.
By Dustin Murphy8 years ago in Psyche
