Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
5 Ways to Help with Mental Health Breakdowns
The majority of the people I have met in my life do not know what to do during a mental health crisis. And from what I heard from others who go through mental health issues like myself, this is the norm. Stigma is no longer an issue -- the issue now is that our allies are not equipped with the right tools to help. It took my romantic partner 3 months of being constantly by my side to finally learn what I needed during my breakdowns. There was little that the Internet could provide for him.
By Aelita Yoon8 years ago in Psyche
Three Days Ago
What was I doing three days ago? Bailey sat at her desk pondering. She cannot even recall what she ate for breakfast; how was she expected to remember what she had been doing three nights ago? She had been sitting in the same spot for an hour, reading and going over the letter that rested in front of her. She peered over at the alarm clock on the stand. 10:02 am Michael would be calling her, he regularly called her in the morning. He insisted it was because his day could not commence till he heard her voice but she learned he was checking in on her. Bailey needed to find her cellphone. It was not plugged in next to her bed like it typically was.
By Bailey Schooley8 years ago in Psyche
Medication Taking as the Key to Success
Taking my medication daily is something I do without thinking about it. I mean, I do not skip doses like many people I know. I chose medication since it helps regulate my body as well as my power. Without my meds, I’d be in bad shape. Skipping my medication could frankly kill me. I don’t get people who do this. I dump people like that. I can’t stand people who refuse medication on top of that. Stubborn people who refuse to take any medication. When a friend asks me why, I am at a loss for words. I stay friends with my stable friends.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in Psyche
Dreaming of Escape
"And in the end, we lie awake, and we dream of making our escape." A beautiful lyric from Coldplay's Death & All His Friends (or perhaps more accurately, from the hidden track "The Escapist"?) That line comes to my mind often, sometimes when I least expect it. I think it is one of the most beautiful sentences and is performed so beautifully by the band.
By Violet Simone8 years ago in Psyche
I Get Knocked Down
Lately, I have felt like it has been one thing after another. Like I am one of those Bobo toys that you hit and it just pops right back up or a Weeble that wobbles but it doesn’t fall down. I have cried, stayed up nights overthinking everything and been irritable and cranky at even the best of times. Add a stressful job and family troubles to that mix and it becomes a feat of strength to even get out of bed in the morning.
By Erica Hale8 years ago in Psyche
Being an Anxious Introvert
Have you ever felt like your on anchor? Have you ever felt like you are just one of two people inside your body? Like you have this endless, raging fire burning inside of you that wants to concur the world...but then, something as strong as that fire pulls you down.
By Santia Desiree'8 years ago in Psyche
Living With Bipolar Disorder
Today I woke up on the sofa again. I feel safety and comfort in the corner of the sofa surrounded by pillows and my two cats. I leave the television on so the voices make me feel less alone. I go to the kitchen and make the first of many cups of coffee. I can use a box of K cups in one day. This box has 12 cups in it. I count my cigarettes because I am virtually penniless and don’t know how I’ll even buy my next pack. I contemplate quitting cigarettes but my current state of turmoil won’t let me. I wrack my brain trying to figure out how I’ll get through another day without money. It’s so isolating to feel this bad and have no one who understands, no one who can even deal with your presence because you have absolutely nothing left to give.
By Elizabeth Arnold8 years ago in Psyche
The "D" Word
I’m going to pretend that we’ve known each other forever. Or, maybe like we’re those two drunk people at the bar who aren’t dancing, but better yet we are sitting at tables beside each other with a drink, lonely. We make that initial eye contact that feels like that “Hey old friend!” greeting and we decide to spill our guts out to each other as we build a relationship over too many vodka sodas. Either way, this will probably be raw, and it’s going to be real. But like I’ve said before, I am not a doctor. This is through my eyes only and my own personal experiences ONLY. So here it is... Depression, coming from someone who struggles and fights the darkness every. damn. day.
By Jess Dobransky8 years ago in Psyche
Depression: The Silent Shadow
"It’s hard to even write when I’m this depressed. I can’t cry, I can’t eat. I can’t do anything. I feel so hopeless and so alone. I have the weight of the world in my soul. All I want to do is sleep, just to get away from everything. I feel trapped. I’m thinking about pills. Lord Jesus, I’m thinking about pills. Help me not to think about pills. I feel so alone, Lord. Who can I talk to about this? Will You even talk to me? I’m falling. Help"
By Fallon Bechtel8 years ago in Psyche
