My print shop will be opening on Thursday, Nov 20th at 9am Pacific time and closing on the 28th. This page will become the shop page, and you can sign up for a mailing list alert.
I decided to post this art here as well. I like how I was able to make Mystery's face scary!
I've been a selfshipper with him for over 2 years, and we recently had an anniversary. I'm preparing an art in honor of it, and I'll show it to you later!
Hello again everyone!!! Today I redesigned Mystery :-) I was inspired by doctors from Soviet films, mainly by Philip Preobrazhensky from Heart of a Dog by the great writer Bulgakov
Dr. Mystery & Bipolar Disorder (psychological-Argumentative Essay)
oh boy! This is going to be my first (and hopefully not last) psych-based tumblr essay project! I hope this is coherent, and enjoyable to read! I will be using the doll eye Wiki, the DSM-5 TR, medical websites, and art/animations to prove my theory/belief.
inspired from @/evilrwbyfan’s renightmare post on RN!Mystery and BPD.
Disclaimer: I heavily despise Twisted-Bitch, and I am not a fan of Doll Eye (nicest way to say it). This is just me psychoanalyzing a character.
Secondary important disclaimer: this pertains to REAL Mystery. Not the Clone High parody abomination. Mystery content taking place after 2024-25 is off the table.
(CW: Mentions of SH, Sui idealization, Mental illness, and hypersexuality)
-
INTRODUCTION:
For those who do not know, Dr. Mystery, or Mystery Burns, is a character, and primary antagonist of the indie video game called Doll Eye. She has been featured in many animations, and art throughout the 2018 period and beyond. (We ignore anything that came before 2018, as that pertains to the preboot- that will remain a separate topic).
Mystery’s personality through the various animations, art pieces, and the fandom wiki, are decided in all the same key ways. In animations/art you often can spot Mystery either having a breakdown, being violent, acting hyper, or just numb. Having such extreme emotions in almost every single piece of content he is in. In the wiki, her personality is described purely based off the ‘layers’ (we will get into that). the wiki doesn’t describe Mystery’s personality like the other characters, and that is because their whole mood is vastly different than the rest of them. There is no normal way to explain Mystery’s mood. That is the basis of this essay.
Mystery has Bipolar, and here is why.
-
THE LAYERS & THEIR MEANING
-
Over time, through what is revealed in doll eye’s content, the audience would come to understand that a part of Mystery’s identity- called the ‘layers’- is a crucial part of her characterization. These layers in lore are told to be Mystery’s only way of expressing himself.
these layers are called: Joyous, beautiful, Angry, and me. (Formally, M1, M2, M3, and M4).
these states are described to occur either randomly, or due to external factors (ex, acting in front of others, people lying.) these states are destructive in almost every facet, either causing harm to her body or to others around them.
you might immediately think: “ok, I see where your coming from, this shit isn’t normal.” But before we go into more detail about the layers, we must eknowedge what has been canonically been said about the layers themselves, and see why this is inaccurate.
Twisted-Bitch, the creator of this character, states that these layers are apart of ‘everyone’ and don’t represent mental disorders like DID or anything similar (*loud cough* Bipolar *cough*). But this is inherently wrong.
The layers are shown to be only able to reflect a certain emotional state. These states are inherently harmful. These states do not show speckles of realistic behavior. (EX. A person who is angry will yell, but they can also show other emotional capabilities asides from that anger. Same with happy people, they aren’t all hyper with smiles, they can be calm and happy, and can show their happiness in many different ways. Angry and Joyous inherently cannot. Their states are to the extreme with hardly any variation- we ignore the canon blends due to the same intensity, and the same issues. Mixed episodes exist).
Let’s get things even straighter. People are complex and have multiple ways of behaving around others. People will feel sad, or happy. People will act differently depending on factors or other types of people around. People though do not flip from one state to the next in a severe manner. They do not act the way Mystery acts. This isn’t something everyone has. This is a product of mental illness. They are a product of an untreated Bipolar disorder.
on that note, let’s continue on.
now that we understand that the layers are a mental illness product, and not normal, we must understand more about what each layer means in terms of mental illness- specifically Bipolar.
before we do that, let’s go ahead and reveal the diagnostic criteria for the key Bipolar episodes. We will need it for later.
-
Criteria for mania, hypomania, depressive, and mixed episodes are described as:
-
Mania:
“To be considered mania, the elevated, expansive, or irritable mood must last for at least one week and be present most of the day, nearly every day. To be considered hypomania, the mood must last at least four consecutive days and be present most of the day, almost every day.
During this period, three or more of the following symptoms must be present and represent a significant change from usual behavior:” (HealthCentral - based off dsm5 criteria.)
Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
Decreased need for sleep
Increased talkativeness
Racing thoughts
Distracted easily
Increase in goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation
Engaging in activities that hold the potential for painful consequences, e.g., unrestrained buying sprees
-
Depressive:
“The depressive side of bipolar disorder is characterized by a major depressive episode resulting in depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in life. The DSM-5 states that a person must experience five or more of the following symptoms in two weeks to be diagnosed with a major depressive episode:” (HealthCentral - written based of dsm5 criteria)
Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
Loss of interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities
Significant weight loss or decrease or increase in appetite
Engaging in purposeless movements, such as pacing the room
Fatigue or loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness
Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt
Mixed Episodes:
Mania with mixed features usually involves irritability, high energy, racing thoughts and speech, and overactivity or agitation.
Depression during episodes with mixed features involves the same symptoms as in "regular" depression, with feelings of sadness, loss of interest in activities, low energy, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, and thoughts of suicide. (WebMD)
Now let's now start and dissect each one, starting with Joyous:
-
Joyous, or M1. We will call this critter M1 for simplicity of typing. M1 is characterized by extreme joy, and hyper mood. She does more childlike things, and is louder, more social. She is ‘air-headed’, and seemingly more productive. The Wiki states that she behaves happy even when those around her are distressed.
In fact, another important fact found within the wiki that states that her joyful behavior is disturbing in nature. The text says, “The reason she acts in such a way is she can feel joy that she never felt to the point where it’s concerning” (DollEyeWiki). This can be interpreted in a couple different ways, but I take it as face value. She feels ‘joy’ to a very intense level. A level that is not normal for most people.
now let’s take what we learned about mania/hypomania and apply our findings to M1.
first we just found out that M1 is more social, and loud. This can mean more talkative behavior. Secondly. He was described as air-headed. That fits in distractibility. Why? Think about it. If you are constantly distracted by surroundings and internal feelings, you are more likely to make mistakes or seem less ‘there’. We can also assume that M1 has a much better self esteem. We don’t see any intentional self harming behavior with them. We ignore the impulses, and other negative aspects of mania for now. In fact, we can put this as a form of hypomania. Hypomania is a lesser form of mania, which can be functional, but it still impacts the person, and the people around them.
M1 represents hypomania.
-
Here is my experience with a part of my hypomania as an clearer example:
when I face hypomania, I am restless, very excitable, euphoric, and very productive. I am also easily distracted simultaneously. My thoughts race, and I am more social and outgoing. I love myself, and I find it hard to hate others. I am more creative. This joy isn’t all good. It causes me to be to be too fast for those around me. I don’t think through choices, and I truly get out of control. Even when those around me are feeling different emotions than me, i won’t likely follow along. I have made people uncomfortable in the past due to this behavior. I have better control on how I appear outside to people for their comfort, but the feelings inside are still quite there.
-
now we look at Beautiful, Aka, M2:
-
this is where we start looking for true mania symptoms. M2 is not hypomanic. He is manic.
M2 is described by the wiki as selfish, and violent when it comes to obsessions, she seeks intense stimulation mentally and physically, indulges in dangerous behavior and urges, and acts reckless. In some art, M2 is shown to be promiscuous, and having a high libido.
now if we look back to the mania criteria again, we can see more examples of them fitting with M2’s behavior.
She shows grandiosity, she engages in impulsive, and negatively impacting activities. She shows psychomotor aggravation as well. To add onto the negativity impacting activities section, we need to make sure that the hypersexual behaviors are also noted.
Mania is known to cause high libido, and uncontrollable sexual urges. These feelings, and the actions that can follow them are often mentally and physically exhausting, and painful. With M2’s art, we can see that.
the crave for simulation also applies to the self harming behavior that M2 preforms on herself as well. This too is important to note.
M2 represents a facet of Mania.
-
my experience with this form of Manic behavior:
when my manic behavior follows this pattern, I am extremely impulsive, I have no filter in my brain to tell me to stop. I just act. I often seek trouble to get a high from it. I engage in unhealthy behaviors. My mind can’t tell me if I’m being bad, or if I’m being good. This part of mania makes me deal with short, but extreme hypersexual behaviors or thoughts that cause me physical injury, or mental distress that lasts for days.
-
now we move to another prime example of Mania; Angry:
-
Angry, or M3, is another example of a facet of Mania, also following the criteria for the episode in question.
M3 in the wiki is told to be violent, unable to think within reason, constantly shaking, crying, and consumed for whatever they desire right in that moment, and keyword. VERY FUCKING PISSED OFF!!! She can flip into this state randomly and due to the trigger of people around her lying to her. She only comes out of it due to fainting Or causing harm to those around her.
M3 is reminiscent of an intense part of Mania. In mania, there isn’t just euphoria, there often is an irritation/angry part that people tend forget about. These angers can be intense. These are called ‘bipolar rages’ but that is just a label, it’s apart of mania (and sometimes depressive episodes). These rages are described as:
“Bipolar rage, also known as bipolar rage attacks, is a distinct aspect of bipolar disorder characterized by intense and uncontrollable outbursts of anger or irritability. Unlike typical anger reactions, bipolar rage episodes are disproportionate to the situation and can occur without warning.
These episodes often manifest during manic or depressive phases of bipolar disorder, though they can also occur during periods of relative stability. Individuals experiencing bipolar rage may exhibit aggressive behavior, verbal hostility, or physical outbursts that can be alarming to those around them” (pbpsychiatricservices)
Now looking at the mania criteria again, we can see that M3 fits within the two primary, racing thoughts, and goal directed activity. Of course the bipolar rage too- but we are focusing on the related parts now. Behavior described hints at the possibility of racing thoughts. The goal oriented part is also important due to the wiki’s explanation stating that she aims to get what she wants during this state. M3 still sticks to what is expected during a Mania episode with focus on the rage aspect that follows it.
M3 is representive of a facet of Mania.
-
My experience with this facet of mania:
When suffering from bipolar rage, I am often inconsolable. I snap at anybody near me. I can be physically violent (only to myself and objects), and not be able to be rational and stop. It feels like my skin and brain is burning, and all I want to do is make the one person or peoples suffer. In the past, I would become verbally aggressive. I am often also shaking and twitching a lot. I am not able to be coherent.
-
Lastly, we discuss ‘Me’:
-
Me, also known as M4, is completely reminiscent of a full depressive episode, done to the last detail.
M4 is characterized by behavior such as depressive, empty, and hollow. They don’t show emotion, and seemingly doesn’t care about anything around them in any real capacity. They seem to not be very functional in any manner, and doesn’t seem to move a lot.
this describes a clear depressive episode, following most if not all symptoms shown. M4 shows loss of pleasure in day to day living, shows depressive mood, fatigue. Animations such as ‘Cradles’, hint at a lack of appetite as well. There is also suicidal ideation that M4 exhibits as well.
M4 represents a depressive episode.
-
My experience with a depressive episode:
When I am in a depressive episode I feel nothing, or I am a mess of tears. I have no interest in anything. I stare at the ceiling or walls for hours. I hurt myself due to extreme self loathing. I don’t eat. I don’t keep myself healthy. I get fatigued. I just don’t want to live anymore when I’m like this.
-
Now it should be clear why each ‘layer’ is in fact different bipolar episodes that Dr. Mystery deals with at a constant basis. It should now make sense on why it is impossible for any of these behaviors to be considered normal in any manner. (Pointed stare at a specific person).
MIXED EPISODES & HOW THEY APPLY TO MYSTERY AS WELL:
-
but wait! What about the blended states that Bone-Bitch introduced later on? Wasn’t that supposed to show that the layer’s are ‘normal’ or some shit?
Yeah, uh, that doesn’t help little bro /derogatory
in fact, what he manages to do is created the existence of mixed episodes for Mystery to deal with also. With Mixed states, mania and depression can coexist together at once or rapidly flip back and forth. With M1, M2, and M3 representing Mania, and M4 representing depression, it makes sense to come to this conclusion.
these are mixed states.
-
CONCLUSION:
-
Mystery Burns suffers from Bipolar. Likely bipolar 1 specifically. Her episodes are not ‘layers of self’, they are his brain’s broken functions. The existence of layers and the way they are presented, undermines just how difficult it is for Mystery to exist in peace.
But if I could change something about the layer’s existence and make them actually feel accurate, is that: Drawing her states would be a coping mechanism. They don’t know what is wrong with her. He cannot fathom it, and nobody took the time to help her either. So drawing each state separately in this manner could be seen as their way of understanding herself, and his behavior in a way that she can understand. It’s self expression.
-
so I hope that this essay can shine a light on what I consider the truth for Mystery’s character. I hope you can get a better idea on Bipolar, and those who suffer from it. I truly hope that this was enjoyable to read. If you have any questions or comments, let me know. I’d love to see them!
-
before I end this post, here are some art pieces that I believe provide extra evidence for my claims, and the symptoms I applied to them:
-
thank you for reading!!
Karymar Santiago @karymars2005 - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
dededos
pixelskylines
germansingergirl
gummygunk
vaporwave
annaxmalina
