forty-one // [[ANONYMOUS]]

[small_comfort]

The circumstances are strange today. Let's all do our best to remember that it's important to conduct ourselves with civility and respect regardless of how the possibility of social consequences may have been minimized

Comments

[is_fear_itself]

You mentioned psychological issues as being 'a lot of the problem'. I would go further and tell you it is all of the problem, from beginning to end.

[small_comfort]

I suppose that could be true. What would the solution be, then?

[is_fear_itself]

Counseling, from a licensed trusted practitioner. You said noncontinuous sleep; I'm guessing that you mean you wake frequently--accompanied by a sense of panic, perhaps?

Night terrors are nothing to take lightly.

[small_comfort]

I do, but it's not usually a sense of panic... maybe every once in a while, but not usually.

I really wouldn't go as far as 'night terrors'...

[is_fear_itself]

No? Disappointing... Well, it's always possible, given time.

I would certainly tell a psychiatrist all of this, and see if they can't prescribe you something.

[small_comfort]

Exactly what is a psychiatrist?

[Totally threw him there XD]

[is_fear_itself]

You don't--

But-... how..

A doctor who treats mental illness. I happen to have been be one.

it's a talent!

[small_comfort]

Oh, I see. What kind of illnesses, specifically? And what kind of things do they prescribe?

He's so sweet, though ;-;

[is_fear_itself]

Innumerable ones. Depression, schizophrenia, borderline disorder, dissociative identity... A wealth of disturbances - demons of the mind - wars fought invisibly... Psychopharmacology is my specialty, actually.. It would depend on what problems you're having.

Have you truly no such physicians in your world?

defense mechanism!

[small_comfort]

I don't even know what some of those are
There are medicines to cure all those? That's amazing...

No, we have physicians!

Late tag is late, orz, sorry - assume backdate?

[is_fear_itself]

And medicines to induce them, as well. The chemical approach is only one of many psychological avenues to - alleviating suffering. If you'd like to speak to me in person on the subject, I'd be more than happy.

That is a relief--a world bereft of all medical advances would be a grim one indeed.

no problem!

[small_comfort]

Why would you want to induce them, though?

I wouldn't mind...
I'll keep it in mind. Thank you.

It's more common to heal with spiritual power than with medicines, though.

<33~

[is_fear_itself]

A very good question... Perhaps one saved for another time. There are some things I would be loathe to divulge anonymously, it rather robs them of contextual awareness.

Certainly.

Spiritual power? If you aren't uncomfortable--do elaborate. Surely not Magic, do you mean?

[small_comfort]

Oh.
I don't really want to say who I am right now... Is there some way I'll be able to recognize who you are?

I suppose it's a little like magic...
The souls of certain people generate a kind of energy--that's spiritual power. People who have it can learn how to control and manipulate it to do different kinds of things, such as heal wounds.

[is_fear_itself]

I understand completely. I suppose you could provide me an alias of some kind, so that you could later introduce yourself as such. I don't doubt anyone who knows me already would have trouble figuring out my identity... I am Doctor Crane. I have an apartment in the first building, should you wish to seek... informal counsel with me, privately.

"People who have it"... suggesting some do not. Is it a rare talent, then? There is magic in my world, of a sort, but none is commonplace...

And so that makes a doctor in your world; using spiritual energy to cure the sick. Are there degrees for that--some university, where it's taught?

[small_comfort]

Okay. Doctor Crane. I'll remember; thank you.

It is somewhat rare... about one in one hundred has an amount high enough to... use, and things. Most people don't discover anything about it until after they've died.

Kind of. We also know about sutures and medicines and things like that, but spiritual healing is a big part of it. It doesn't usually 'cure the sick,' as such, though... it works to help the body regenerate, but doesn't cure diseases. There is kind of a university, but it's for using spiritual energy in general. People who have a predisposition toward healing develop those skills specifically after they have graduated and joined another organization.

Now that I think about it, the fact that I've told you all this means it wouldn't be that hard for other people who know about it to narrow down my identity...

...

Oh well.