Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Psyche.
Cracked
At the time I was introduced to Kintsugi—a Japanese art form, in which broken pottery is repaired using lacquer mixed with powdered precious metals: silver, gold, and platinum—I could truly relate to broken pottery; I felt ugly and useless, irreparably damaged. I was, for what seemed to be the hundredth time, in an outpatient treatment program for adults struggling with mental illness after yet another stay in a psychiatric hospital. I felt depressed; I felt hopeless; I felt hideous from the inside out. I honestly believed myself to be truly, irrevocably broken, and I saw no end in sight to the emotional turmoil or mental torture. I could not see any light in my life, because I was being buried wholly by the innumerable shards of my own destroyed self—the bits and pieces of my dysfunctional existence that I was clinging to for dear life, despite the pain they were causing myself and those around me. I remained stuck in this deep, dark rut of familiar pain until I was given information about Kintsugi by a counselor in this treatment program. Upon discovering this practice, I came to the realization that being cracked could be a positive in my life; because I am cracked, I have the opportunity to become the person I am meant to be, full of unique traits and beautiful imperfections, and, through those cracks, light has the potential and opportunity to infiltrate my darkness.
Hannah EasopPublished 7 years ago in PsycheStructure of the Deviant Act
An Interview on Deviance Introduction In looking at the structure of a deviant act one must put together somewhat of a puzzle by back tracking thoughts, motives, and environment. This paper will take an interview of a deviant act in a workplace and process it through deviant psychology. It is widely established that the Big Five personality traits of conscientiousness, agreeableness, and emotional stability are antecedents to workplace deviance. (Berry, Ones, & Sackett, 2007) Keep in mind that this is a deviant’s sided version of the experience. Self-ratings are a measure of identity, which is the internal dynamics that impact the individual’s future behavior. Observer ratings, however, capture an individual’s reputation. Identity can be used to explain behavior and concerns why someone behaves a certain way, whereas reputation concerns what an individual does. (R. T. Hogan, 2007)
Tambré BryantPublished 7 years ago in PsycheMy Guardian Terrorizer
Even in death, he has found a way to encompass my entire world. I don't think I function properly anymore. Not that I ever could—if there will forever be creaks and shadows, or the howling of night's air.
Nicole HamptonPublished 7 years ago in PsycheThe "Mental" Health Service
There are obviously many types of mental health people experience during their lifetime; Some short term and some longer term that may also need inpatient treatment of some kind at some point.
Karen PhilpottPublished 7 years ago in PsycheActing from the Neck Up
I begin this with my favourite caveat from drama school: "Ninety per cent of what we teach you is bullshit, darlings. You have to find the ten per cent that works for you, and it's different for everyone."
Amy SuttonPublished 7 years ago in PsycheHow I Am Overcoming Social Anxiety
I suffered from social anxiety for about all my life really. I have only been diagnosed with it this year without knowing it. I really only assumed it was incredible shyness until I realized that the shaking, trembling, cold hands, but most importantly the inability to go outside in fear of interacting and seeing others interfered with my daily functions in life. How am I ever able to go outside? How will I get the groceries, how will I try on clothes to buy? Even going outside to my neighborhood was bothersome enough because I couldn’t take the amount of staring each one of them gave me.
Acceptance
I am sitting here in this quiet, dark, house, sipping my coffee after just having gotten up and getting my daughter off to school with sleep in my eyes and pain in my heart.
Katherine JeanPublished 7 years ago in PsycheCoping Mechanisms & Children
Some children very early on in their lives must come up with coping mechanisms, these are used to help the child process and be able to function while carrying the baggage that has been placed on them at such a delicate age. It’s no secret that some children have to deal with complex adult situations that they shouldn’t have to, but for some reason or another the universe found it fitting to throw them into an unwelcoming or harsh environment that the child did not choose. While unpleasant to think about and truly unfortunate that this happens, the best they can do is create their own coping mechanisms.
Cheyann StromPublished 7 years ago in PsycheTreating Mental Health
If you or a loved one struggles with mental health issues of any kind, you're probably aware of the many barriers that stand in the way of treatment, diagnosis, and, sometimes, even safety. Particularly in rural areas, access to medical professionals who specialize in mental health are hard to find. Normally, there are only one or two options to begin with and they are, on average, about half an hour away. Then, once you locate them, they have so many patients that the nearest appointment that is up to three months out. On the peninsula part of Virginia called the Eastern Shore, even mental health emergencies can take a month to set up a medicinal or therapeutic system for the patient after the initial contact.
Danni GreerPublished 7 years ago in PsycheMy Journey Through Addiction
Addiction was a part of my life before I ever knew what it was. I had a rather large group of friends growing up. Some might even say we were the “popular” kids. Well, they were the popular kids, I somehow was welcomed into the clique. Per usual, one of the things that came along with that title were parties where experimental behavior was par for the teenage course. This “normal” started as early as 6th grade. Suffice it to say, the group I ran with was anything but “straight edge.”
Reigny TellerPublished 7 years ago in PsycheListen
Is anyone ever listening? How do I know that you're listening? How do I know that you care? Will you listen to me and help me find an answer or solution? Can you understand me? Are you willing to try to understand me? How in the hell can I get you to understand?
Morgan BinniePublished 7 years ago in PsycheStruggling Every Day with Anxiety and Depression!
Every morning I fight myself to wake up. I fight myself to get out of bed. My bed is my only safe place. It’s the only place where my anxiety is at ease. My bed is also my enemy; it’s where my thoughts start racing and my depression kicks in. It’s where I cry and fight my emotions about what people think or say about me. The blankets act as arms and cuddle me with their embrace. How can I leave such a soothing yet destructive place? When I finally pull myself up out of bed, I slowly find myself in my bathroom in front of my mirror where I stare into what depression and anxiety looks like. Tired, bloodshot eyes; messy hair; a face that’s breaking out from the stress. I stare into my own eyes, which tell so many stories of emotion and how I feel. I see the hurt and the pain that I cover up every day with a fake smile. I struggle to get ready and try to convince myself to lay back in bed. The world is a scary place; just go back to bed where you’re truly safe. Yet I fight to continue on, and I slowly make it outside, the sun making my eyes squint, because my blacked-out shades in my bedroom hide my eyes from the sun. I cover my eyes trying to hide my emotions from the world. My clothes still say a lot about me; black is my color. Black to hide my emotions, to hide who I really am—or is it to express what I really feel? I meet my friends, putting on that fake smile; they know what I’m covering up. They question and push till I break and tell them what I’m really feeling. It feels good to tell them that it’s truly difficult to actually leave my bed. For that little moment in life spent with my friends, I actually feel happy. I feel complete, like I never struggled at all. That’s until reality hits, when I step foot into my house. Everything hits again, a whirl wind of anxiety and depression all at once. How can I have such a great time, yet feel so sad? It’s this sickness I struggle with, it’s an illness that will forever be with me. No matter how good of a day I have, I struggle at the end of the day. It’s the little moments that keeps my feet on the ground. I can have the best day of my life and still feel like I’m not good enough for this world. I truly drown myself with emotions when I walk through the front door of my house. I create my own loneliness and destructive behavior. I have to remember that no matter how much I’m struggling, I have people that love me whom I can just call if I need to. I’m a lucky one; I have that outlet. My illnesses push me to be that person for anyone that needs someone. I know what it’s like to be at the end of your rope and someone saves my life. Don’t give up on who you are, live for the little happy moments. Push yourself; I promise when living life it’s truly beautiful. It’s hard reaching out for help when you think the world is out to get you. I have so many outlets to help me forget who I am or my life, music being the main one. I shove the earbuds as far as they’ll go into my ears. I turn the music up loud, and I hold on to every lyric that is being sung to me. Find a positive outlet to release yourself, find yourself in something positive. Hold onto it and don’t let go, and don’t be afraid to talk or ask for help.
Jennifer OrtegaPublished 7 years ago in Psyche