04-04-2013, 04:17 PM
Right, so anyone who has taken a decent clinical psychology course will be able to tell you that "mental illness" is a somewhat subjective term. However, for most purposes, any abnormal (also subjective but you get the point) and maladaptive aspect of an individual's psychology can be a symptom of mental illness. Regardless of whether your list of traits includes a diagnosis or not, your character can be said to possess a mental illness if they exhibit certain symptoms.
While there are some symptoms of dissociation that may occur as defense mechanisms in normal individuals (such as escapism, repressed memories, desensitization, or even depersonalization), using the term "dissociate" implies a comprehensive strategy indicative of "dissociative disorders". The incidence of self-doubt, self-blame, and/or self-pity additionally point toward depression and perhaps even anxiety also, which in light of the above would suggest a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. This is a mental illness, and this diagnosis is also corroborated by your backstory, which features traumatic episodes quite prominently.
Now, if you would like to be diagnosed, I would be happy to oblige, but I'm afraid I cannot offer that service for free. Beyond that, I would only reiterate what Michelle has said about considering whether you feel the concept is still a viable one in the absence of any mental issues.
While there are some symptoms of dissociation that may occur as defense mechanisms in normal individuals (such as escapism, repressed memories, desensitization, or even depersonalization), using the term "dissociate" implies a comprehensive strategy indicative of "dissociative disorders". The incidence of self-doubt, self-blame, and/or self-pity additionally point toward depression and perhaps even anxiety also, which in light of the above would suggest a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. This is a mental illness, and this diagnosis is also corroborated by your backstory, which features traumatic episodes quite prominently.
Now, if you would like to be diagnosed, I would be happy to oblige, but I'm afraid I cannot offer that service for free. Beyond that, I would only reiterate what Michelle has said about considering whether you feel the concept is still a viable one in the absence of any mental issues.
![[Image: a88823d4-5335-49cc-91b4-f8c511e214f8_zps...1409225114]](http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/mnguy3/a88823d4-5335-49cc-91b4-f8c511e214f8_zpsf21a961a.png?t=1409225114)