Mental Disorders that Would Work in Mentaru Shoujo

[splitInfinitive]

Body Dymorphia: Great disorder both for comic relief and for dead serious discussions of some very interesting concepts, from the meaning of self to the nature of consciousness. From the mildly weird ("I am a woman trapped in the body of a man") to the slightly off-putting ("I am a wolf trapped in the body of a man") to the horrifically disturbing ("I am a wolf-spider trapped in the body of a man")

The first example you give isn't body dysmorphia at all, but gender identity disorder. It's a condition that's being gradually shifted away from status of "mental illness" and recognized as a part of natural variation in human sexuality, like homosexuality back in the day. Most of what I've heard about body dysmorphia has to do with weight issues and feelings of ugliness, or fixating on one feature that's perceived as flawed when it isn't ("My nose is wrong, everybody's staring at it"). There's also body integrity identity disorder, which is theorized as a goof in the body's mind map, making someone feel like a limb isn't supposed to be there. It's basically "phantom limb syndrome" in reverse.

[splitInfinitive]

I noticed an original suggestion of DID (Dissociative identity disorder, no longer multiple personalities) but that may be a sensitive and difficult to portray issue. A lot of doctors still argue it does not exist. Also, the cases where people do display it is not as dramatic as made out in the media as people can switch between "alters" almost seamlessly at times and numbers can range up to the hundreds.

It's true, multiplicity isn't noticed by most people. Most multiples learn to hide it. I think dissociative identity would work well for the story though, because there's such a wide range for how the condition manifests. While some have hundreds of alters, others have only 3 or 4. Some multiples have no communication between alters, others have such good communication it's hard to tell where one alter ends and another begins. Some people remain multiple for the rest of their lives, for others it fades as they move on from whatever trauma initiated it. Basically, you can choose which setup works best for the story, and still give an accurate portrayal. It just might help to mention within the story that no two multiples are alike.

As for those skeptics, they're either abusers themselves who want to cover up their damage, or they're in serious denial.

[splitInfinitive]

I guess I'm a little cautious when it comes to projects like this, having dealt with a lot of stigma for years from people in the real world and the media it's upsetting when people think all these horribly incorrect things about you and fail to see a human underneath it.

I agree. Thankfully the devs have made it clear in many places that they have a group whose purpose is to make sure the conditions present in the game are represented accurately and compassionately. It's the quality of their work that will decide the final outcome.

[yotc]

Well this thread sure is... a thing. Props to some people for pointing out the incorrectness of some peoples thoughts on these illnesses. One in particular caught my eyes. I blame gloom's ability to articulate their feelings excellently.

I've known people with nymphomania and I've seen probably the worst place something can go. When you have to build a part for someone because they cut it off themselves it is... something else. Something else entirely. She was much happier with the new one though so I guess there is that. There is not a confused enough looking sheepish grin smile to post here. I don't even know what the disease is called. I'd go into details but I'm always Leary of hipaa.

On the nymphomania thing, I knew a guy that had it. Friend of a friend in college, hung out occasionally with us, always seemed a dirtier old man than me. Have not seen him in years but he was in a bad bad place last I heard.

[Al Capwn]

I have seen Insomnia listed, but what about the opposite extreme, Narcolepsy?

[Al Capwned]

I have seen Insomnia listed, but what about the opposite extreme, Narcolepsy?

sorry didn't know how to post properly

[Worthington]

I have seen Insomnia listed, but what about the opposite extreme, Narcolepsy?

Fairly certain narcolepsy is a physiological disorder, not a psychological one...

[splitInfinitive]

Fairly certain narcolepsy is a physiological disorder, not a psychological one...

More accurately, narcolepsy is neurological. /pedantry

[Al Capwned]

I have seen Insomnia listed, but what about the opposite extreme, Narcolepsy?

Fairly certain narcolepsy is a physiological disorder, not a psychological one...

However it is listed in that list of mental disorders that Waytfm posted at the beginning of the thread

[Gloom]

Fairly certain narcolepsy is a physiological disorder, not a psychological one...

More accurately, narcolepsy is neurological. /pedantry

When you dig down deeply enough, the lines between a "physical" and "mental" disorder become very blurry. I mean, in the end, all of those emotions, thoughts, fears, dreams; it's just the electrochemical playground of your brain showing through. Just physics, chemistry, and biology at work.

[TheLastMelody]

Fairly certain narcolepsy is a physiological disorder, not a psychological one...

More accurately, narcolepsy is neurological. /pedantry

When you dig down deeply enough, the lines between a "physical" and "mental" disorder become very blurry. I mean, in the end, all of those emotions, thoughts, fears, dreams; it's just the electrochemical playground of your brain showing through. Just physics, chemistry, and biology at work.

They do say that sickness of the body originates from the mind.

[Al Capwned]

Fairly certain narcolepsy is a physiological disorder, not a psychological one...

More accurately, narcolepsy is neurological. /pedantry

When you dig down deeply enough, the lines between a "physical" and "mental" disorder become very blurry. I mean, in the end, all of those emotions, thoughts, fears, dreams; it's just the electrochemical playground of your brain showing through. Just physics, chemistry, and biology at work.

I agree with gloom, writing something off as just physiological doesn't mean that it has psychological impacts. Like one of the accompanying issue is cataplexy, which can be emotionally driven, which could cause someone to become emotional withdrawn to reduce their cataplectic episodes. Or, a loss of touch with reality because of frequent hypnagogic hallucinations when transitioning to and from sleep. Even automatic behaviors while asleep can lead to paranoia.

[splitInfinitive]

When you dig down deeply enough, the lines between a "physical" and "mental" disorder become very blurry. I mean, in the end, all of those emotions, thoughts, fears, dreams; it's just the electrochemical playground of your brain showing through. Just physics, chemistry, and biology at work.

True, hardware problems can affect software, and vice-versa. But there is still a useful distinction between hardware and software. A person can become excessively sleepy from high levels of stress, or they can have narcolepsy. One can be "cured" by relaxation techniques, the other cannot be cured at all. At least, not with present medical knowledge.

[Malkav]

I remember this sitcom, Frasier, in which the main character's brother sported an episode of "stress-induced narcolepsy". I am unsure if it was factually or scientifically accurate, but I do know of other conditions that can be psychologically induced (constipation, cardiac arrest, ulcers). In this way, what would normally be a physiological problem may turn out to be a result of psychological difficulties, instead. I believe the same can be said of psychological problems having roots in physiological issues (chemical imbalances being the chief culprit). Thus, the cures for each can become switched.

[Worthington]

I remember this sitcom, Frasier, in which the main character's brother sported an episode of "stress-induced narcolepsy". I am unsure if it was factually or scientifically accurate, but I do know of other conditions that can be psychologically induced (constipation, cardiac arrest, ulcers). In this way, what would normally be a physiological problem may turn out to be a result of psychological difficulties, instead. I believe the same can be said of psychological problems having roots in physiological issues (chemical imbalances being the chief culprit).

Indeed, but such episodes are generally temporary.

[splitInfinitive]

I remember this sitcom, Frasier, in which the main character's brother sported an episode of "stress-induced narcolepsy". I am unsure if it was factually or scientifically accurate, but I do know of other conditions that can be psychologically induced (constipation, cardiac arrest, ulcers). In this way, what would normally be a physiological problem may turn out to be a result of psychological difficulties, instead. I believe the same can be said of psychological problems having roots in physiological issues (chemical imbalances being the chief culprit). Thus, the cures for each can become switched.

This is why it's important to know the difference between a disease (where the etiology is known to a certain degree of confidence) and a symptom (which is just a sign of disease that can have many causes). When you're unsure about your etiology, call in Dr. House for a differential.

[Ms. K]

Just wanted to mention a few that could work but are mostly disorders that effect how you see others :
(you might have to google them to get exact details as what all their effects are I'll just write a simple description for now)

Exploding head syndrome:
random and sometimes frequent noises (mostly before sleeping/can be linked to insomnia)

Irlen Syndrome:
difficulty with reading or seeing bright colure/light (sometimes try to shy away from bright patterns/light and have poor depth and spacial awareness)

Schizotypal:
Belief in what is not classed as social normal (can be anything from magic to imaginary friends or even extreme ideas that do not or can not be explained or seen as real) can also show signs of paranoia, eccentricity and lack of social communication with others.
or similarly...
Derealisation:
The world appears to be unnatural or unrealistic so much so a sense of a physical barrier is felt by the person (some times seen as a fog or glass wall)

Also you mentioned Schizophrenia so I thought you might want to know about Schizophreniform (which is symptom of schizophernia) it can last from 1-6 months and is seen to be genetic (so can be passed down from one family member to another). Chaotic behavior, delusions and dis-organized speech which can be enhanced by stress.

That's just a few I can think of for now that would be interesting to see since they are rarely touched upon.

[Brasse]

Histrionic personality disorder, anyone? Schizoid personality disorder and OCPD does seem to, at the very least intuitively, be able to offer considerable depth.

[Dorigard]

As my first post to this community, I'll start by saying I love the concept behind MS, as much as I loved that behind KS, and I'm only too sad to be so late in the process to be anything but a supporter.

That being said, I feel kind of bad that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has been left of the discussion almost entirely.

I'm aware of the stigma that comes with ADHD, that many people feel it is a throw away excuse of a disorder used as a scapegoat to attempt to tether rambunctious children (most noticeably young boys). I realize that ADHD isn't as serious disorder as something like Schizophrenia or Bi-Polar, but it can and does lead to developmental complications, and in some cases, continuous social problems.

I was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age, in the years where it we becoming better known, but not quite a freely given diagnosis. In a sense it is something that has defined who I am as I grew up, and even today I acknowledge it in day to day life.

I realize that all the character concepts have been thought up and nearly finalized, but I would love in some way to be able to add my life experiences to this game, to impart how it (how I) feels with ADHD.

[Gloom]

As my first post to this community, I'll start by saying I love the concept behind MS, as much as I loved that behind KS, and I'm only too sad to be so late in the process to be anything but a supporter.

That being said, I feel kind of bad that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has been left of the discussion almost entirely.

I'm aware of the stigma that comes with ADHD, that many people feel it is a throw away excuse of a disorder used as a scapegoat to attempt to tether rambunctious children (most noticeably young boys). I realize that ADHD isn't as serious disorder as something like Schizophrenia or Bi-Polar, but it can and does lead to developmental complications, and in some cases, continuous social problems.

I was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age, in the years where it we becoming better known, but not quite a freely given diagnosis. In a sense it is something that has defined who I am as I grew up, and even today I acknowledge it in day to day life.

I realize that all the character concepts have been thought up and nearly finalized, but I would love in some way to be able to add my life experiences to this game, to impart how it (how I) feels with ADHD.

This has been discussed before, with the conclusion that ADHD is just as problematic to handle as any other condition, primarily because there seems to be no consensus on whether it even is.