#problematic asks

[tofangirlonly]

Not that it's a problem, but you have a very extensive collection of JJs

Oh, it's definitely a problem.

I'm just powerless to stop it at this point. 😉

[scriptshrink]

Part of my character's arc is being shamed by overly religious parents for being possessed by a demon, when in actuality she's got a mental illness. My problem is that I actually don't know which one she would have? Her symptoms are that she has violent fits of manic energy, her personality changes drastically, she speaks in a different voice and sometimes begins to speak in Latin instead of English. I hope this isn't insensitive of me, but is there anything that fits this description?

This premise needs some work. If you want your character to have been mentally ill all along, you can’t work backwards from the demonic-like symptoms.

You’re going to need to come up with the disorder first, then figure out how the symptoms of said disorder could be misinterpreted as demonic possession. You’re also going to have to include symptoms that don’t fit with the stereotypical depiction you’ve described.

As a starting point, you might take a look at the following disorders:

Dissociative identity disorder

Bipolar I (likely with psychotic features)

Schizoaffective disorder

However, as it is right now, your character does not meet the criteria for any of those disorders. You can’t slap one of those labels on your character and call it done.

You’ve got your work cut out for you, Anon, but I promise you, this will make for better representation and a better story.

Good luck!

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[scriptshrink]

(2/2) Second of all, thank GODS for this blog, 'cause until I discovered you I'd been directing all my questions of the "my character is mental and I don't know what to do" variety to a friend of mine in medschool, and since one of my favorite things to do is creating characters who are challenged in various psychological ways, she's begun shamelessly avoiding me... So I'll definitely be back, but for now, a quick question: are schizophrenics capable of violence?

The first part of this ask didn’t come through, sorry! 

And to answer your question… schizophrenics are just as capable of violence as any other human being on the planet.

Mental illness can do a lot of things, but it doesn’t strip a character of their inherent humanity.

Please also note that people with mental illnesses are more likely to be the victims of violence than commit it.

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[scriptshrink]

I'm working on a character. He had a relatively normal upbringing aside from permissive parents who weren't always emotionally present. However, he has violent urges that he used to take out on himself until he started murdering others. He will usually come off and somewhat stable, even sweet. However, something will snap and he goes into a uncontrollable frenzy, attacking the nearest person with intent to kill them. How would that be categorized? I feel off their rocker won't suffice.. help?

The diagnosis that comes to mind immediately is Intermittent Explosive Disorder (see here).

However, if your character is mentally ill, and has such strong impulses that he attempts to kill people, it is not going to be the only thing he’s impulsive about. He won’t have the stable facade you’re describing. 

I really, really suggest you consider your character very carefully. You’re going to want to do a lot of research if you go forward with this; this really could end up being a problematic depiction of mental illness. 

PS - “Off their rocker” is a really bad, even possibly ableist, way to describe people with mental illnesses.

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[scriptshrink]

part 1:don't kown if this where should i ask this, my story is hard sci fi, and i have my MC having psionic/mental powers like telepathy or mental energy projection. My main explication for her powers is that she has brain electrical hyperactivity that she can even use electricity outside her body. Therefore all her powers are coming from electrical hyperactivity. And here is the problem, when I made my research for brain hyperctivity , I descovered that hyperactivity is provoked by or provokes

part 2: or provokes depression, anxiety, ADHD etc. The truth is I don’t my MC powers to be associated with any mental ill because I know how much will be affect neuroatypicals in a negative way. I was myself depressed. Yes, my MC will suffer from depression or PTDS bc of certain events, and her power instability is rather associated with her feelings. Can I still use this explication for her powers with brain hyperctivity without writing that provokes also depression? Or should i give up?

Actually, “electrical brain hyperactivity” like how I think you’re describing it means your character is probably going to have seizures. Lots of them. However, neuropsych is not my forte, and I don’t know enough to answer your question fully.

So I need to clear up one thing, anon.

Your character is already neuroatypical.

Neuroatypical literally means that someone has an atypical neurological configuration. In layman’s terms, that means that their brain isn’t like most other people’s brains.

Unless the other people around her have the same “brain hyperactivity”, your character, by definition, is neuroatypical.

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[scriptshrink]

Can I have a SANE 15 y/o (T) who feels no substantial amount of guilt for letting an innocent die on the probability that more would die if they saved the person? T is temporarily responsible for overseeing a prison for monsters. One of the inmates (V) manages to get a hold on a staff member (S) and threatens to kill S if T doesn't release them. ---T's logic is that, if V actually kills S, then V probably won't mind killing other innocently; if V doesn't kill S, then no harm done.)

Sorry, I'm not going to give you advice about SANE people. This blog focuses on mental illness and the treatment thereof; I do not answer questions about neurotypicals unless said neurotypical is a therapist.

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[thereinliesmyproblem]

Do u still like billdip?

Not reeeeaaally my thing anymore friendo. So If you like it I'm sorry but I'm just kinda too old for it now. Which isnt to say theres an age limit on shipping stuff. Ship whatever makes you happiest. Also have a nice day and stay safe. : )