Neurotypical
295.70 (Schizoaffective Disorder)
Diagnosed at: 12
Emmett began to see and hear things that werenât exactly there. His mother detected these patterns when Emmett was just 10, which lead her to worry. Originally, it was thought that he just had an imaginary friend until he began to show other symptoms. Symptoms shown were hallucinations, slight delusions, lack of emotion, depression from period to period.
Hallucinations are often either black or white animals, sometimes both, telling him what to do and what not to do and serve as guides for decision making and counseling since he never really was good at handling situations himself--or being independent at all. Heâs always been a pretty co-dependent person up until now where heâs had to provide for himself. Back when he was hospitalized, even then he had people to feed and take care of him, but now itâs all him. The animals also speak to him, having long conversations that could last hours depending on his mood and the dopamine levels in his brain. More intense hallucinations would come in nightmare-ish forms, where blood literally drips from every corner. Itâs likely that heâll see this if itâs a bad day and heâs off meds.
Disorders
296.0 (Bipolar type l)
Showed symptoms after the death of his parents and brother, ranging from manic episodes to severe depression. He would feel extremely good, almost narcissistic; irritating and obnoxious, even. He would feel as if he could just have the entire world. In other manic episodes, he would get fits of uncontrollable rage and just unbearable and difficult emotions which he canât control. Heâs easily provoked with negative or overwhelming stimuli.
Diagnosed at: 17
309.81 (PTSD)
Diagnosed at: 17
Showed symptoms at the same time when being diagnosed with Bipolar l. Symptoms were vivid nightmares or reliving the trauma, hyper-arousal (being the most prominent), ill feelings about self or the world and surroundings, and avoiding things that reminded him of the trauma.
Emmett doesnât like to be in closed-up spaces for too long, he gets mild anxiety. He always has to be aware of exit signs. His reward system doesnât operate as a normal personâs reward system would, making simple tasks, normal social interactions like somebody wishing him a good morning none rewarding, making him appear slightly nihilistic. Simple things donât satisfy him at all.
Emmett tries avoiding hospitals and graveyards because those places give him bad memories. He avoids the smell of vanilla because his mom and brother always smelled like so.
Additional
Medication: Abilify (antipsychotic for Bipolar l and Schizoaffective Disorder) and Zoloft (for anxiety and depression to treat PTSD)
