Top Stories

Stories in Psyche that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.

Afghanistan fallout
This story is based on my experiences both in Afghanistan in 2007, and at home, some 14 years later, when the news broke in August that the Taliban were retaking the country. It describes what I was feeling in that moment and in the weeks following. Although some of the information is fictional, the basis of the story is a true reflection of incidents then, on my last night in Kandahar, and now, as I work to overcome PTSD. I managed not to do what I describe in the last paragraph, but that reality exists, always challenging me.
By Desmond James5 years ago in Psyche
Dear Reader: If COVID-19 Hurt Your Mental Health, I'm Sorry
Hello, I don't know who you are, but my guess is that if you've clicked onto this article, you may be struggling to cope right now.
By AM5 years ago in Psyche
Bedtime.
It’s bedtime. Sometimes I don’t want to go to sleep because it means starting all over tomorrow. I never used to feel this way. I used to love going to bed, the feeling of exhaustion, the soft fabric of my pillow and the release of tension from my body as I drift into sleep.
By A Lady with a Pen5 years ago in Psyche
Green Light, Red Light
Childhood. You envision innocence, vibrant colors, and laughter. Children aren't taught to be ''broken''. But I was. I was critical of the person in the mirror for my manner of critiques, instead of my manner of etiquettes. Creators try too hard, my critic shouts like a cranky old scrooge. We're taught from a young age not to judge a book by its cover. We do, especially by those somewhere in the spectrum of talent.
By Austin 5 years ago in Psyche
Today, I Would Rather Pull the Covers Over My Head
Today I would rather pull the covers over my head and wait out my funk. I don’t know why I woke up feeling this way. There is no clear-cut reason to point at and say,
By MaryRose Denton5 years ago in Psyche
Surfing bipolar. Note #1.
Hello, I’m Varvara. I am a coder, designer, artist, mom, wife, storyteller, surfer, and I have bipolar disorder. One day, I hope to write a book about my experience of going through life with bipolar disorder. In the meantime, I’m starting with a smaller step: writing monthly articles on the connections between surfing and bipolar disorder.
By Varvara5 years ago in Psyche
When My Childhood Trauma Makes It Too Hard to Function
Childhood trauma is a very real thing, and for those living with it you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. One moment you’re sitting there totally fine then, BOOM. You’re sucked down a pit of despair and self-loathing and you’re obsessing over all the help you never got, and all the chances that were denied to you by people too selfish to see that you were drowning
By E.B. Johnson 5 years ago in Psyche
4 Books That Help Ease My Anxiety During Rough Phases
I have been reading books ever since I learned how to read. I started with fairy tales and fantasy fiction, as all children do, and kept branching out to other genres all through my life. Now I read everything under the sun.
By Aditi Balaji5 years ago in Psyche
Everything you do prepares you for the next step
When I was an art teacher, I taught an art camp for one week at my local children’s museum. I made a collage as an example for my campers that we didn’t end up using, but I loved it, so I kept it to use in my classes later.
By Jen Blalock5 years ago in Psyche
Not Your Neurotypical Construct
My brain thinks my boss is trying to kill me. Now, comparatively, he’s four feet taller, 200 pounds heavier, a combat veteran, and 23% shrapnel - so he could kill me.
By Becky Hansen5 years ago in Psyche
A Race Against Addiction
Under the dust and between the cracks, all of my misfortunes are settled into these polished floors. Drenched in passion, held in pursuit, I tell my story with a booze free grin—
By Alli 5 years ago in Psyche
The Beauty of Quilling
Quilling is an art form utilizing strips of paper to create designs. Artwork can vary from minimalistic to highly intricate. While at first glance, quilling may seem complicated - with a little patience and practice - anyone can learn this art medium.
By Jennifer Parr5 years ago in Psyche