Solar stress

Solar stress is a problem that primarily affects Lawerians but has also been shown to be a problem for many Spellbinders, RICEEs and some Vants. What exactly causes the problem is unknown, though the symptoms and problems now have effective treatments and techniques to deal with it.

Causes

The problem is caused by solar phenomena, specifically speaking the longest and shortest days of a cycle on a planet, though there have been some cases of people responding to new moons, full moons, and eclipses in similar ways. The odd factor is that this is only a problem for people who are from off-planet, as if there is some issue stemming from the difference in the yearly cycle; the exceptions are local spellbinders who can also be affected, maybe due to their magic making them sensitive to such things, but are not affected on other planets, and Lawerians, who live in artificial worlds and are therefore affected by it on any planet they are on. It lasts the whole day and often leaves people unable to work or do their usual everyday routines.

Symptoms

It manifests most similarly to mental distress, hence the name. Vants and those with Beastiel Infection often struggle with increased bloodlust in a rather literal sense. Many sufferers also struggle with terrible mood swings and the propensity for anger and violence. It is a little like being hit with a concentrated dose of puberty all at once, except worse, because such hormonal surges in solar stress sufferers tends to lead to things like bloody wounds and magical mishaps and people being thrown out of windows.

Treatment

One of the most effective treatments for solar stress is Chill-Leaf Medicine, a substance that is smoked and smells somewhat like mint, leaving a cold taste in the throat and being exhaled in a white vapour. Something that was previously used to deal with people with chronic anxiety or stress issues, researchers discovered that in the right doses it's just as effective in dealing with the turmoil of solar stress, though it is best used in conjunction with other measures. The measures can vary depending on the species and individual: some find it better to be alone and distract themselves with things such as exercise or music; others find it better to socialise in groups to keep themselves distracted; still others find it best to nap and cuddle with people they trust and wait for it to tide over.
Anyone that may be affected by it in future, especially if due to assignments or migration, is worked with by a medic to determine their optimum dosage and personal method. Chill-Leaf is easy to buy anywhere to ensure that people always have access. Some individuals that struggle with it a lot or are often on their own and hard to reach are even taught how to mix their own doses so they can carry it with them.

History

This has been an issue for Lawerians for as long as they've traveled the stars, but it was only when other species started doing the same and some of the unusually prolific spellbinders of Earth were witnessed seeming to struggle with similar issues that people began to realise there was a broader problem. In the older days, solar stress moments used to be dealt with by piling all of the sufferers into a closed-off room on the day to ensure they couldn't wreak havoc on any unsuspecting locals.
This, of course, was a plan with obvious issues.
As Beastiel Infection started to affect more people during the course of its spread around 2000 years ago, something to deal with this condition was urgently sought until the Vants pointed out that the Chill-Leaf from Elemin was already effective at managing stress - and bloodlust in their case - and might be a viable option. Since then, standard operating procedure for solar stress has changed, much to the relief of many people.

Type

Supernatural

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Common