trauma

At its core, trauma can be thought of as the psychological wounds that persist, even when the physical ones are long gone.

This Is How Little Boys Turn Into Sexual Predators
A woman's breast is supposed to feed an infant; at its core, that is its biological purpose. Yet, few societies allow women to go topless in public. The female body is so arousing that it becomes shameful and must be hidden away. If it's not, we are told men can't control their urges.
By Dina Alexander4 years ago in Psyche
the short stories
Blaring sirens, medical beeping. “Sir, please step back.” More sirens, the defibrillator goes off. My wife’s body jolts in her stretcher. “Sir, I’m going to need you to give us some room so we can better assist your wife.”
By Ellie Okubo4 years ago in Psyche
Naturally Disordered
I entered the familiar doors to my childhood clinic feeling more nervous than I had anticipated. After I showed the receptionist my information, I sat in a chair in the lobby and waited. The sound of a cartoon movie for children softly played in the room– an attempt to bring comfort to the little ones who waited. My name was called out and I was guided by an unfamiliar woman into a small room with fluorescent lights. She told me to wait there for the doctor, so I sat on the chair trying to collect my thoughts. I went over how to coherently express my insanity to the lady in the scrubs who knew next to nothing about me. I sat there silently, staring off at the brochures which covered the bulletin board. I had a burning urge to leave and never look back. I felt weak. I also felt more alone than ever before.
By Myr. B 4 years ago in Psyche
Ode to Sleep
My goal for the new year is to cherish my sleep, and I mean really cherish it. I want to be that person that says, “ah I’ll hit snooze again” and go back to sleep for a few more minutes of peace.
By Val Poulos 4 years ago in Psyche
I Got Beat Up in Our Dog Park
Ever wonder why I talk about brain injury and PTSD so much? I’ve sustained at least four concussions, plus meningitis, and two of those brain injuries were partnered with PTSD. The first, in 1985, and the biggie, in 2011, resulted in PTSD and PCS (post-concussion syndrome).
By Catherine Kenwell4 years ago in Psyche
MONSTER
A small child being taken to the babysitter while Mom and Dad worked is a part of everyday life. A little girl of 5 or 6 needs to be taken
By Carla L Stransky4 years ago in Psyche
Flashback
That was... bad. That was bad. It's been over half an hour and I'm still freaking out about it. I think I had a flashback. I think that's what they are, and that I have had them before, but this time...
By Megan Baker (Left Vocal in 2023)4 years ago in Psyche
Concussion? I'm Gonna Tell You What Your ER Doc Won't
You’ve had a concussion. Conked your cranium. Bonked your brain. Knocked your noggin. Beaned your bean. Shaken your shell.
By Catherine Kenwell4 years ago in Psyche
'Tis the Season for Wonder - With Just A Hint of Sadness
It's been hard for me to get into the holiday spirit this year. 2021 has been a tough year of dealing with grief, recovering from injuries, and battling depression on top of the general business of just being a self-employed farm wife and homeschooling a special needs teenager.
By Analise Dionn4 years ago in Psyche
Living With Hemianopia.
Hemianopia. Hemianopsia, or hemianopia, is a loss of vision or blindness (anopsia) in half the visual field, usually on one side of the vertical midline. The most common causes of this damage are stroke, brain tumor, and trauma. (Source: Wikipedia)
By Pierre de Man4 years ago in Psyche
Therapy
Blood, promises, pain, and tears. It was my first date. The boy and I had been talking for a while, and he finally asked me out. I had no intentions of doing anything other than movie and dinner. He had no intentions of letting me not do it. The movie was his choice, some type of horror. Never really been into those type of movies. I saw Final Destination 3 or 4, the roller coaster one, 3 times and never liked it any of those times.
By Lakota W Bridgewater4 years ago in Psyche
Blood Isn’t Thicker Than Water
My dad died about a month ago. While I felt sad at first, mostly, I felt nothing. Turns out, I had already gone through the grieving process years ago. I thought I would at least feel something when his time came. I knew it would happen sooner, rather than later. When I stopped talking to him almost a decade ago, he was already old and in pretty terrible shape. Being an alcoholic and chain smoker, along with having 30 years of unresolved medical issues, does that.
By Glenn Whitlock4 years ago in Psyche