Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Psyche.

When the Stone Cracks
I was born the second oldest of four children...until the oldest passed away. I was suddenly thrust into a position of responsibility and maturity that I wasn't prepared for and expected to execute well. I was 13, maybe 14 years old at the time. The younger ones were now my responsibility; I had to take care of them, feed them, make sure they stayed out of trouble and were always safe while trying to protect them from an abusive, alcoholic father and comfort my sweet mother who took the brunt of it all.
By Bree K8 years ago in Psyche
It's Real
As someone who has depression, and major anxiety from stress, I believe that no one can actually show or prove that they're depressed. Depression comes in all forms and sizes; everyone, even animals, can have it. It's like this invisible grey cloud with continuous rain (maybe even showers when the feelings of depression/anxiety/stress are getting too much) that constantly hovers over a person who can just smile through it. It can be in that beautiful popular model on Instagram who receives thousands of likes and comments full of praise, love, and compliments everyday. It's in that girl who's always smiling and joking around with her friends. It's in that guy who's really good at school, sports, and always surrounded with people who love him.
By Tala Gallano8 years ago in Psyche
World Mental Health Day: The Important Topic No One Is Talking About. Top Story - October 2017.
Today is World Mental Health Day, which you probably didn’t know. You might not have even known that World Mental Health Day is a thing that happens every single year, but now you do and you definitely should care. World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 every year with the main intention of raising public awareness of mental health issues and increasing efforts in order to achieve better mental health. It is a day for global mental health education and advocacy against social stigmas that so frequently surround various mental health issues. Every year, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on people's lives worldwide.
By Liz Shannon8 years ago in Psyche
Karma’s Not as Bad as You Think
Every second of every day, I fear the words that will come from your mouth. I fear whether they shall hurt only for a short while, or sting forever. I wake up smiling, only to realize I don’t have much to smile about. My life is an endless cycle of misery. Wake up, eat, fear, work, go to sleep. I do this day after day, yet I can’t seem to break it. I try so hard to change the path my life has taken, yet my feet stay planted. I’m a simple girl, and I grew up with a simple life. I don’t ask for much and I don’t expect much. I don’t trust easily, and I fall in love quickly. I have scars from many times in my life, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I have cuts from a razor blade. I have scars from bumps and scrapes. I have scars mentally, enough to put me into a depression, over and over. I have scars emotionally. I don’t smile, I don’t eat, I don’t sleep, and I’m not at peace with my life or myself.
By Amanda Lynn8 years ago in Psyche
Signs of Social Anxiety Disorders
Are you socially anxious? Social anxiety is probably one of the more common disorders that people face daily. It's a true struggle for people who work, attend school, etc. Growing up with the disorder is really tough. It's almost impossible to meet with people, because the second you leave your house, you're immediately coming face to face with strangers (I feel you). And a lot of these people want to avoid any contact from these strangers as much as possible.
By Jacqueline Hanikeh8 years ago in Psyche
11 Realities of Addiction Recovery I Wish Outsiders Understood
Everything you are about to read is based upon my personal experiences and opinions. I am not claiming that I am an expert or that these are universal truths.
By Hannah Easop8 years ago in Psyche
The Girl Who Remains
Each day, a little of our yesterday fades away. A memory blurs into a forgotten moment forever lost in the past. A lock of hair clipped away, a favorite over-worn pair of sneakers we finally discard, a hand-written letter with missing words in faded ink. We keep sentimental relics but do not always realize their significance until the devastating period of retrospect requires them to remind of us a happy once-was that we can no longer conjure in the present. Every new cycle, we transform ourselves into a new us, on each new today — though time is relative. We brace ourselves for what lies ahead in each new tomorrow. Only tomorrow seems as distant as yesterday when our sadness causes time to screech to a halt.
By Amanda Karenina8 years ago in Psyche
A New Outlook on Life
My name is Rachel, and I'm a recovering addict. It took me a long time to be able to come to terms with the fact that I was actually an addict, that people didn't do heroin recreationally. I was incredibly offended the first time one of my dealers referred to me as an addict. Who the fuck did he think he was, calling ME an addict? Sure, I got dope sick if I didn't use every single day, but so did he, and he needed me to drive him around and do his bidding for him, so where did he think he was coming from?
By Rachel Arquette8 years ago in Psyche
Drifting
Mental illness is months of being confined to half of your bed, because the other half is piled with clothes. It's when your first thought upon waking each day is: "I can't wait to go back to sleep." Your alarm goes off for the ninth time; you snooze it.
By Lissa Jade8 years ago in Psyche
It's 2017 Let’s Stop Making Excuses for Stigma and Ignorance
Let’s face it, in today’s world, people still have ridiculous and unrealistic beliefs about mental illness. Consider the recent Las Vegas shooting, which in itself was a tragedy. There are more people stating that the fact that he was on antipsychotic medication and had mental health issue was the cause instead of looking at things such as the gun laws, and other underlying reasons behind what happened. Even though in the US, it’s easier to buy a semiautomatic assault rifle then get a prescription for a controlled substance.
By S P8 years ago in Psyche
I Like Being Sad.
"You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness." This line from Gotye's song has resonated with me ever since I first heard it in 2012. There are times when I'm really happy and life is great, but there are always unpleasant memories that surface at any given time. I'm not depressed (I hope not) but I am sensitive. Most of my sadness stems from relationships with guys, gender norms we females have to live up to, and me constantly worrying about my future as a prospective software developer/software engineer. See? I still don't even know what I want to do exactly, hence the "/" between the two professions. I also get upset when I hear about current events such as the racism that spiraled as a result of the current political state in the U.S., poverty, pediatric cancer deaths/cancer in general, domestic abuse, violence, natural disasters, and plenty more. I am a lucky woman who has the best of things. I have an amazing family, supportive friends, a college education (still in progress), financial stability (family wise), a house, sufficient food to eat, and great health (knock on wood). There is a lot more gratefulness where that comes from.
By Ankita Upadhyay8 years ago in Psyche
On These Black Feelings
Generally, the black feelings are described by a single, solitary word. They are described by the word depression. I don’t want to use that word for them. We’ve taken the word depression and warped it until even someone who has been diagnosed barely recognises the word anymore.
By Emma Kitsch8 years ago in Psyche