Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
An Open Letter to My Abuser
How are you doing? I am doing alright, it’s been a while since you thought of me, hasn’t it? I think of you more than I should. What you did to me taints my every action; it forces me to second-guess every single person in my life. Does that guy really like my shirt, or are his eyes looking to my breasts? Is she grooming me, or is she genuinely my friend? Who is using me and who isn’t? Every day a question like this passes my mind, and to be honest I blame you. You took my innocence away when I was 13. You stole the last drops of my childhood and forced me to grow up. I remember exactly what you did, no detail has moved from that day.
By Eadlyen Greenwood8 years ago in Psyche
The Man in the Mirror and His Music
The man in the mirror keeps looking at me. He speaks to me and knows what will break me. He picks away at me like I will crumble. Sometimes he transcends the mirror and sits beside me on the couch or holds a knife to my face, whispering that I should let him take over or kill myself now. When we were little we used to toss a baseball back and forth. Or we would take turns scoring goals in soccer. My imaginary friend looked just like me. I grew up, and he became less imaginary and far more destructive.
By Scott A. Vancil8 years ago in Psyche
A Deficit of Attention
It's an odd thing. Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder is invisible among adults, by and large — say the term and the immediate thought is of semi- or entirely- feral kids, tearing around supermarkets and being rude to teachers; of Ritalin and use of the kind of food additives that can dye kids sunset-orange. But adults do have it. It's like most pathological conditions, in that you can't eradicate it from your overall makeup so instead you have to learn to live with it or turn it to your advantage. As with lion-taming, you come to a mutual understanding — on the lions' part, that you're in charge and so long as they have your full attention they will do your bidding. On your part, it's that if you let your mind wander, the lions can go to town on you. So it is with ADHD, except that very lack of attention is the lion. Except it's more like a chimp.
By Stu Neville8 years ago in Psyche
A Eulogy for My Not yet Dead Brother
I wrote my brothers eulogy six months ago, on another sleepless night spent wondering when I’d get the call. I hadn’t spoken to him since Christmas, but the slow suicide of someone you love is not something that can be ignored. Even if you ignore the person themselves.
By Jemima Daisy8 years ago in Psyche
I Am Not Depressed
"This is what depression looks like," says the pharmaceutical commercial. As my blood boils, we see a pathetic looking person who looks simply like they've give up, thus validating what the strong have always conferred upon those who've been hit by mental illness. A $40 co-pay to see a therapist shouldn't be a surprise then or that New York State's public health plan does not cover mental illness. It doesn't help either that "depression" suffices as a medical term, which misrepresents anyone who's experienced this condition. Let me clarify.
By Rich Monetti8 years ago in Psyche
A Society in Need of Physical Touch
Have you ever been standing on a bus and someone accidentally brushes your hand with theirs, and you just get a sudden euphoric rush, simply from having another person touch you. You may be touch starved. I never thought there would be a term for it, I always just thought I was lonely and couldn't figure out why. This has helped me realize a few very important things that are helping me, albeit slowly, turn my life around.
By Andrew Bryant8 years ago in Psyche
Suicidal Ideation
Let's talk about something I'm all too familiar with, something I have experienced first hand. Let's talk about suicide. These days it seems suicide in the media is everywhere you look. From live streams and beloved celebrities to the much more controversial 13 Reasons Why." We've come a long way as a society when it comes to hard to discuss topics like mental health, and yet are we any closer to truly understanding the reasons behind suicide and suicidal ideation?
By Christina Woodcock8 years ago in Psyche
Ways to Deal with Anxiety and Depression
Here are some ways to deal with anxiety and depression. 1. Don’t be afraid to talk to someone you trust. Some people with anxiety or depression are afraid to talk about the feelings and thoughts they are having. Because they have bad thoughts they may think that they are bad people. Bottling these thoughts up will become too much. These thoughts are normal. Do not fight them. Accept them. They will not go away but with time they will fade. Good people who have bad thoughts are disturbed by them but are unlikely to act on them. Bad people who have bad thoughts are not ashamed of them and are likely to act on them. Remember the difference. If you do not feel you are ready to talk, don’t feel pressured to. You may find that by telling lots of people, it is on your mind. Do what you feel is best.
By Chloe Urquhart8 years ago in Psyche
Meditation and My Battle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Benefits? A common thread that I've noticed while working with different methodologies is that meditation gives me a deeper understanding of my mind and body. While meditating, if only for a moment, I am forced to let everything else go and focus on something else, whether it be my breathing, any bodily tension or tightness, or simply to detach and let the world go on around you.
By Thomas Pasquale8 years ago in Psyche
Convulsive Seizures and Mental Health in the Workplace
Convulsive Seizures and Mental Health in the Workplace and School This is for all those people out there who really want to work, but are too sick. When you have a disability, it becomes all too depressing when you ultimately either lose your job or have to quit. Even when you just hated the job you had to quit, there’s a certain somber feeling on it, because you didn’t really choose that path, you had to. You start losing opportunities other people have that they don’t want, even complain about, like driving and working, and sometimes, just admit it, you hate them for it. This is my story.
By Nicole King8 years ago in Psyche
