•The male main character suffers from a few mental disorders, the main one being DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder).
For those of you unfamiliar with it, here is a rundown of what it is and what it entails (description, symptoms, triggers, etc.)
Warrick is the main *core* personality. Devil is his alternate personality.
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*Dissociative Identity Disorder (also called DID)*
A disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states.
Dissociative identity disorder, previously called multiple personality disorder, is usually a reaction to trauma as a way to help a person avoid bad memories.
People with DID have two or more separate identities. These personalities control their behavior at different times. Each identity has its own personal history, traits, likes and dislikes. DID can lead to gaps in memory and hallucinations (believing something is real when it isn't).
DID is usually the result of sexual or physical abuse during childhood. Sometimes it develops in response to a natural disaster or other traumatic events like combat. The disorder is a way for someone to distance or detach themselves from trauma.
A person with DID has two or more distinct identities. The "core" identity is the person's usual personality. "Alters" are the person's alternate personalities. Some people with DID have up to 100 alters.
Alters tend to be very different from one another. The identities might have different genders, ethnicities, interests and ways of interacting with their environments. Each may have a unique name, personal history, and characteristics.
*Switching Characteristics/ Alters*
A Switch is when a person changes from one alter ego state to another, or, in very loose terms, from one personality to another. This is usually caused by a trigger that initiates or activates a switch. Triggers can be either positive or negative.
Alters can switch for all types of reasons depending on the trigger. Switching between alters is usually involuntary, and can cause a great amount of distress with the alter. Every DID system is unique. Some people with DID have more control over their switching than other people with DID.
Covert switches are typically, quiet, quick, and unnoticed. You have to either know a lot about the person/their disorder or just be very keen to notice any change.
Overt switches are switches that are noticeable. You can look at the person and tell that something is going on, even if you aren't aware they are switching. Something is clearly off with them. They're staring off into space, not blinking, breathing slowly, not responsive, very still, etc.
How to tell when a person with DID is about to switch personalities.
* headache
* pressure inside the head
* stiff neck - (usually not as intense as with memory retrieval)
* pressure at the base of the head - (less intense than with memory retrieval)
* pupil dilation
* pressure behind the eyes
* blurry vision - (clears, then becomes blurry)
* eyes become - (watery or glassy, glazed in appearance), (eyes can also appear reddened without memory retrieval. Reddened eyes without memory symptoms means that a part is functioning that has repressed materials attached to it.)
* eyes more sensitive to light
* lightheadedness or dizziness
* chills
* ears ring
* emotionally feeling more child-like
* mood swing - a change in mood
* thought pattern change - thoughts change about same subject and your response changes with it
* feelings and emotions change - change about same situation
* objects and people look different - dimensions are off, colors can look brighter or dimmer
* body looks and feels detached
* face looks and feels detached
* face looks different in the mirror
* laughter changes - different laughs, subtle different to flagrant
* light in a room changes to suddenly brighter or dimmer
* fainting feelings - physically like you might lose consciousness
* inability to concentrate and think clearly
* urgency to "do something"
* thoughts become louder
* orchestra of thoughts or "conversations," all with opposing views
*Some Known Triggers (that cause switching)*
* something someone says
* past perpetrator
* people who look like past perpetrator (someone that holds same kind of job as perpetrator same location or venue (similar) mannerism or laugh is similiar)
* certain times of the year
* objects
* things
* colors/textures
* smells
* sounds
* pulling memory too fast in therapy
* while in therapy, and working on memory
* lack of sleep
* poor diet
* touch
* not having enough balance (fun vs. processing)
* drugs and/or alcohol
* Stress: Daily Living Stressors: This is a major cause. Here are some examples:
* fighting with spouse or friend
* observing a fight
* having sexual intercourse
* paying rent
* problem solving
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I hope this helps!
*NOTE*
Some DID alters communicate with each other, others keep to themselves. Some alters communicate with the host and others do not. Alters generally communicate with each other internally, by sharing thoughts with each other.
In Warrick and Devils case, I have created it so that Warrick and Devil communicate regularly. They have a very close relationship. Devil views Warrick like a son, whereas Warrick sees Devil as his savior but also a royal pain in his ass.
Warrick is guarded and soft spoken. Gentle when needed but fierce when the time calls for it. Devil is violent and melodramatic.
However they both are strong minded and they only show a soft side for those they love and consider family.
They are both particular and prefer things to be done a certain way.
Devil takes over when Warrick becomes overly emotional in situations when he feels out of control. Usually when something violent occurs.
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When Snow Falls | Book 1
Romance"Monsters aren't born. They are created. Not from the imagination of someone's deepest fears, but from tangible negative energy. Darkness formed from cruelty, pain, and evil. That is how Devil was made; How I came to be." ---- "When I was a child...
