ptahrrific: Mountain at night icon (Default)
Erin Ptah ([personal profile] ptahrrific) wrote 2008-04-08 01:33 am (UTC)

Glad you liked!

I don't know if Stephen's cluster of symptoms fit any identified disorder; as far as the DSM-IV is concenred, they would probably fall under Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, the broad category for "we're not sure what else to call it, but it has to do with dissociation."

He has split off and repressed from consciousness his anger, his fear, his sadness, his self-loathing, most of his memory, and most of his adult faculties; the part of his personality that remains conscious is regressed to the level of a child.

His amnesia for these things doesn't mean that they're erased from his brain (thus the nightmares, and the desire for Jon). He's basically a trauma victim, with most of his life as the trauma. As long as he doesn't encounter any triggers that will set off the repressed memories and emotions, he's all set.

If time and effort were applied, he could recover, though he would need serious emotional support and intense therapy to process his anger and terror so they wouldn't overwhelm him again. I think that would be the best course of action. If he's not going to get the support, though, is he better off as-is? I honestly don't know.

...well, that was a lot. If you want any of it more technical, or less technical, or in more detail, just say the word ^_^;

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