Were Deterioration Disorder

Brief

Were Deterioration Disorder (W.D.D) is a mental illness which affects weres. Similar to Bipolar Disorder, Were Deterioration Disorder causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. However, this is due to the strain in mind and body of the were shifting in and out of their animal forms and not just brain wiring related issues.

Degrees of the Disorder

Were Deterioration I Disorder
Defined by manic episodes that last at least 7 days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks. Episodes of depression with mixed features (having depression and manic symptoms at the same time) are also possible. A Were's mania also causes them to be more in tune with their animalistic side, causing their instincts to lack a filter. This period is also full of full or partial shifts with little control. A true stage one disorder often has 1-2 days where the subject is 'locked' in their were form.
Were Deterioration II Disorder
Defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not the full-blown manic episodes described above. In this case they have more control of their shifts, and are less likely to fully transform without meaning to, or follow animalistic instincts without thinking.
Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorders
Defined by were deterioration disorder symptoms that do not match the two categories listed above.

Symptoms

Manic Episodes

• Feel very “up,” or elated
• Have increased activity levels
• Feel “jumpy” or “wired”
• Have trouble sleeping
• Become more active than usual
• Be agitated, irritable, or “touchy”
• Feel like their thoughts are going very fast
• Think they can do a lot of things at once
• Do risky things, without thought

Depressive Episodes

• Feel very sad, down, empty, or hopeless
• Have very little energy
• Have trouble sleeping, they may sleep too little or too much
• Feel like they can’t enjoy anything
• Feel worried and empty
• Have trouble concentrating
• Forget things a lot
• Eat too much or too little
• Feel tired or “slowed down”
• Think about death or suicide

"How is it Different Than Bipolar Disorder? Isn't it the Same Thing?"

WDD in Isidoro is considered a subset of bipolar, however this specific version affects only weres. It is possible for a were to get Bipolar Disorder, but not Deterioration Disorder. This is rare however, and is heavily dependent in how much were blood is in their family tree.

Transmission & Vectors

Before scientific research, it was believed that WDD was transmittable; it lead to many myths about general lycanthropy, due to how the subject would often transform without control. It is not infectious, as many believed before popular science debunked it.

Treatment

Magi-Pharmaceuticals are some of the only ways to treat and stabilize weres effected with WDD. Due to the fact the shifter species use a lot of mana, they need Synthetic Mana along with medication to help stablize their moods. It takes a lot of dedication for a were to learn their specific moods, symptoms and behaviours to figure out the best combination of mana and medication to get them prior to the rise of their symptoms.

Cultural Reception

In society, there are many beings who believe that WDD is sleeping deep within all weres, and that it's only a matter of time before it surfaces. This causes people who aren't knowledgeable about the disorder to other and belittle weres, and it creates an air of shame around the disorder.
It makes it difficult for weres to accept treatment for WDD, and they are more likely to separate themselves from society as a result. Weres suffering WDD are likely to create packs with each other as forms of support.

Type

Mental

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Congenital

Rarity

Common

Affected Species

• Were

Shifting Episodes

• Body aches and pains
• Eating habits changing (raw food, previous vegan becoming a meat eater, etc)
• Animalistic Vocalizing
• Feeling "Invincible"
• Uncontrolled shifting between forms
• Uncontrolled partial shifting
• Temporary regression of intelligence to animalistic level
• Hyperagressive 'territory' guarding