Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
The Cocoon
The most vivid memories I have from grade school all have two things in common: shame, and the desperate, seizing feeling of not belonging. At this point in my life, those memories are all stills. All of the characters’ voices are mine; faces are only a flash of color. But the accompanying emotions, and how I internalized them, have not left my side.
By Elizabeth Olson8 years ago in Psyche
Magnesium: Nature’s Anti-Depressant
If you’re like millions of other North Americans, chances are you suffer from depression or anxiety. Many of us resort to taking prescription medication. It is incredibly easy to get prescription medication for anxiety or depression. I’ve been told by general practitioners that taking medication for it is as “common as mud.” Is this a testament to our society? A lack of resiliency or an over dependence on pharmaceuticals? Perhaps a combination. But, what can be done about it?
By Michelle Glavic8 years ago in Psyche
The Rambling Thoughts of an Insomniac
It's two o'clock in the morning and I'm still awake. The ghosts of the past as well as the stress of the present play hell with my mind, and so I don't sleep. Sleep has always been illusive to me, always just out of my reach. Every day I tell myself, "I'll sleep tonight because I'm really tired," but I rarely do. Mr. Insomnia is my best friend. I've been a pal of his all my life. You see when you are a child of abuse, in bed is a precarious place to be. You are never more helpless than when you are asleep. It ranks right up there with being naked in the tub. I need to relieve the tremendous emotional energy that is building up and spilling over robbing me of sleep and carrying me to the edge. I've been taking notes on every piece of paper I can find to get the feelings and thoughts out in some semblance of order. It’s my way of downloading, if you will, all the thoughts in my head.
By Shirley J. Davis8 years ago in Psyche
How Music Helps Me Stay Mentally Stable
I love music. In fact there is not one genre of music I don't like. I can listen to anything, party, dance, rock, pop, blues, country, and the list goes on... Music has a good impact on my mental health; however, what I choose to listen to depends on the mood I am in during the day, and if my mood changes, what I listen to does too. For example, if I am in an angry mood, then I usually listen to heavy rock. The reason why is because much of it is explosive (like my anger) and as a result, it helps me to get those angry emotions out without harming myself or others. If I am in a good mood, then it's dance and this is brilliant, because I tend to do a lot of housework, and I often end up dancing to it.
By Carol Ann Townend8 years ago in Psyche
Anxiety Epidemic
I read a news headline the other morning as I swiped rapidly through social media on my phone. It's part of my routine; wake up, check for messages, scan the day's headlines, sigh heavily, sit on end of bed for ten minutes and then face the day. This headline told me that we are apparently facing an "anxiety epidemic" in western society. Now, I didn't read the whole article (who has time for that these days), but it resonated with me for a couple of reasons. Firstly, because it made "anxiety" sound like an ominous and deadly disease that was sweeping the nations. Not a great vision. But secondly, because like whenever I see a news story of any kind about "anxiety," "stress," or "mental health struggles," it reminds me that I am not alone.
By Naomi Stewart8 years ago in Psyche
Living Psychogenic
Psychogenic pain disorder; something most of will go our entire lives without hearing about. Even fewer of us will ever have the opportunity to learn about it, quite possibly because most of us will never experience, nor will we know anyone who experiences, this pain firsthand.
By Kamryn Davis8 years ago in Psyche
Life With Anxiety
It’s often a subject that is brushed over. Never talked about enough. But as anyone knows when you suffer with any form of a mental illness, you can’t help but feel isolated or alone. In some ways you often feel obligated to keep it to your self, and then still you want to open up and pour your self out to someone who is willing to listen.
By India Edmonds8 years ago in Psyche
