Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Psyche.

Depression Kills
Depression. We have all heard of it. We have all read about it. We may have known someone's life to end because of it. Depression is not some joke or some attention getter, but a serious condition many are faced with every day, including myself. Depression has grabbed me by the throat and strangled me until I have fallen to my knees, gasping for just a bit of air to survive this meltdown and just waiting for the right moment to hit me again. That's just it, they hit me out of nowhere. Any day of the week, anytime of the day. Boom. I'm on the floor clinging to dear life as I pray to God that he takes me out of this world in that very moment.
By Kaitlyn Kaufman8 years ago in Psyche
My Cup Is Full
There are many lessons we learn when working EMS, and many are not what most people on the outside would expect. My very first lesson on my very first day of EMT-B class, I learned the five basic food groups of public service being: caffeine, nicotine, fat, alcohol and sugar. A class of 27 individuals in an accelerate 40 hour-a-week month-long course sat dumbfounded. The instructor continued, “every operator must pick three of these five or you will never make it, but be advised some are more destructive than others.” Four people graduated from that class, myself among them.
By Ben Moody8 years ago in Psyche
I'm Sorry
I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm like this. I'm sorry for all the times I lost my temper and blamed you—you never really did anything wrong.
By Rose Manson8 years ago in Psyche
Long Road to Recovery
Last February, I was in the worst place I had ever been. Drowning under a career I couldn’t handle, struggling to pay those ever-mounting bills, dealing with my overbearing parents, and in the back ground, I was facing depression and anxiety.
By No One’s Daughter8 years ago in Psyche
Do You Suffer From Depression?
There are many misconceptions when people think of the word depression. Some folks believe we are just having a moment, we'll get over it, we're just fine, etcetera. Many people don't understand the veracity of such a devilish emotion. Speaking from experience, I hope to shed some light on those who either feel alone or don't quite understand.
By Marissa Dover8 years ago in Psyche
My Life with Mental Illness
I’ve said before, I’ll say it again and again: I am lucky. Of course I am. My life is not as bad as the majority of the world, and my mental well-being is not as bad as some in the world. However, while some are quick to disagree, my fight is as crucial as every other fight against mental illness.
By SKetch Media8 years ago in Psyche
Lies My Anxiety Tells Me
It feels like you’re at the top of a roller coaster. You know the drop is coming, sometime that is. Sometimes it’s a few seconds, other times, minutes. Swirling upside down and right-side up. Whipping you left and right with your adrenaline pumping through your thin bluish-green veins. Your breath becomes heavy; it feels as though you are breathing through a green Starbucks straw. The pumping of your heart can be felt through your temples—pulsing, racing, scaring you. Deep breaths. In and out. In that moment the only thing you need is pain, something to distract you. And then it’s over.
By Michaela Switzer8 years ago in Psyche
4 Things You Should Know About Eating Disorders but Probably Don't
For decades, we’ve been fed a specific storyline about eating disorders and it goes something like this. They’re diseases centered around weight and body insecurity, triggered by a society with unrealistic beauty standards, mainly effecting young, white females. And for those who have no real experience with them, it’s very easy to think that is what it’s all about.
By Holly J Baptiste8 years ago in Psyche
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD. When you hear the word, what do you think of? 90 percent of people will say "army" or "military." Some might say "childhood abuse" or "rape victims." No. Not always.
By Max Campbell8 years ago in Psyche
Am I Addicted to Depression?
I realised very recently that I seem to have a subconscious desire for sadness and self-destruction. I am finally at a point in my life where my mental health has little reason to flare up. I know that’s not exactly an appropriate thing to say since depression isn’t always triggered by something; often you can just get sad for no reason. But what I mean is, I recently moved to the other end of the country, to an amazingly unique city that has no personal triggers for me. I moved away from everyone I know and moved in with my partner, who just happens to be very good for my mental health. She is incredibly understanding and supportive. I also got really lucky with a great job that I actually enjoy quite a lot that just happens to pay really well and has allowed me to progress to management in a matter of months. Everything is so different and so much better than it ever has been for me but it’s as if my subconscious isn’t responding well to my newly calm and comfortable life. The thing is, I have never had a comfortable life; there has always been something for me to deal with. As a child in a broken home, a suicidal teen, and a troubled and disappointing young adult, and dealing with forms of abuse during all of those periods, perhaps I can’t handle a comfortable life because I never learned how to; perhaps I won’t let myself be happy because that is not what I’m supposed to be, according to my past. To escape the depression is all I’ve ever wanted to do, or at least I thought it was, but I just can’t seem to allow it to happen.
By D Burton8 years ago in Psyche
Say Goodbye to Antidepressants...
You're feeling low, depressed, in despair and you just can't shake it off so you turn to your GP and the majority of them will offer to put you on anti-anxiety or antidepressant medication. This is what they are trained to do. According to an article in The Guardian, 64.7 million prescription items for antidepressants were prescribed in 2016 to patients which is an increase of 3.7 million issued in 2015. Why is this? It is seen as a way of getting you out of that difficult time that you are having but what if that difficult time is with you for a long time? What if these tiny, white but deadly pills are destined to be your little friend that you have to visit on a daily basis and if you for some reason, forget to visit your trusted friend, then you really do start to wish you had never met your new companion.
By KC8 years ago in Psyche
I Lived to Tell
I am 12 years old, and I am struggling with my desire to live. You see, I have been bullied for the last year. My mom doesn't know because I am afraid that if I tell, the bullying will get worse, so I remain silent. As time wears on, the words cut deeper. "Retard." "Stupid." "Ugly." "Weird." And that's only the beginning.
By Dawn Marie8 years ago in Psyche