Question:
I'm working on a story, well actually it's a comic book that I'm
collaborating on with another fellow, and I'm at a jam pertaining one of
my characters who so happens to have manic depression. You see, she's
"gifted" with the ability to alter reality and make it beneficial to her;
think of her as a powerful lucking rabbit's foot -- anything that seems
improbable, she can make become possible. Anyways, the drawback to this
power is that it's really a reflection of her mood. And since she's
diagnosed with manic depression disorder, the luck-power only works to
her benefit when she is feeling good and daring.
Now since she enjoys the highpoints of her life -- I mean, who wouldn't
if they had good luck? -- she wants so desperately to keep them. Are
there any potent drugs out there that would make her feel peppy and not
depressed? I don't want to consider Prozac for the simple fact that I
want her addiction to be hip and new. I've got wind of something called
Durazac-15, is that a real drug? Oh yeah, are there any drugs out there
that would help accelerate the effects of her potent, peppy
antidepressants?
Answer:
No offense Paul, but you need an education about manic depressive
disorder. There is no such drug that will keeo your character "high"-ie-
euphoric. If the character takes a bunch of antidepressants without a
mood stabilizer, eventually she will become manic- which is over the
top,exhausting, and dangerous. Because of the lack of mood stabilizer,
the character (if not jailed or hospitalized) would suffer a suicidal
depression as the cycle turns. Many bi-polars (which is a new term for
manic-depressive, and the one I prefer) will become psychotic and suffer
delusions if in mania for too long. While I am all for the open discussion of mental illness as a disease,
I find your whole notion offensive to me, (I am bi=polar II), my
daughter, and my husband (bi-polar I's)
I realize, with the information I have just given you, you may have to
rethink your character, but since you are a creative person, this should
prove no difficulty.
Well... Have you considered illegal drugs... I know they won't cure a manic
depressed person, but will drastically shorten the cycles between Highs and
lows...
Consider putting her on morphine, or opium...or some other form of
euphoric... ecstasy maybe....
But if your looking for something that will constantly keep her at a "high"
then you're going to have to change her competely... But I love the concept....
Try Electroconvulsive Therapy. It induces hypomania and manic phase in Bipolar
disorders. Insert her fingers into 2 separate wall sockets will do it.
Curls/straightens her hair, too, BTW.
Try Electroconvulsive Therapy. It induces hypomania and manic phase in
Bipolar
disorders. Insert her fingers into 2 separate wall sockets will do it.
Curls/straightens her hair, too, BTW. But what were the "ice-water baths " for?
The medications aren't addictive. People can become dependent upon
them so they can lead a closer to normal life but there is no
addiction. Does she really need to be addicted? Could she be dependent
instead? There is a profound difference. The character device you've described sounds interesting and very
workable. The use of a drug to turn on the powers, if it's bipolar
there isn't really a drug used to induce mania, maybe you need more
device development there. She could take a drug to do that - cocaine,
amphetamine, dexedrine or ritalin or some other kind of stimulant if
there is one known to have the potential to induce mania. Or maybe the
power could be a two-edged sword, would create dilemmas, and she would
need to modulate its frequency and strength. Then you could apply the
existing pharmacopoeia for bipolar treatment. She could mix-up drug
tails to modulate the presence and strength of the manic state.
Mentally different people are often portrayed in manners that disserve
them. Even highly accomplished artists, including but not limited to
the mentally different, have unintentionally committed this insult
through ignorance. Please develop your characters well, give them a
life of their own.
Not only will the illegal drugs shorten the cycles, they will
deepen and strengthen them. Ever tried amphetimines for
depression... absolutely wonderful... quick... effective...
Until you come down... your previous depression will seem like a
piece of cake. No problem, take more amphetimines... and more...
and more... and more... eventually you will be absolutely,
completely convinced that your 19 yr old girlfriend is an
undercover nark and you can rebuild your house better using only
toothpicks. But you won't be depressed. Small problem also of
'speeding' whenever you get angry or upset for the next five years
after you stop taking the stuff. Opium is great to cure a manic phase of bi-p. The problem is that
you better have a constant sure source because when you stop,
you'll pop up so high it'll take a helicopter and 4 cops to bring
you back down to earth.
Hm... why not have this character suffer from a permanent caffeine
high? Sort of having her.. fall into a vat of iced coffee as a child
or something.. that would fit into the manic-excess-dopamine-type of
mood nicely. (check out the french comic series Asterix for a
similar type of character - Asterix's sidekick Obelisk has permanent
superhuman strength on account of falling into some chemical as a
child....) Unfortunately the only medication that I know of to treat bipolars (i
am unipolar) is lithium which flattens out the highs and lows to allow
this person to have more "normal" moods.
Although I'm not manic-depressive, I know the down cycle of depression
all too well, and it's no picnic. I can imagine that the manic cycle
is not party either, probably not something that one would really want
anyone to be in for any length of time. I would imagine it to be as
distressing as being in the down cycle of the illness.
