Mage Strain

In the Ellavarian society, mental illness is treated as seriously and with the utmost care for a mental wound is just as serious as a fatal, physical one. The most common mental illness to affect the Ellavara is called Mage Strain. The causes of this disorder are simple. It comes from the overuse of magical talents with each limit depending on the person. So a person who wields magic on a daily basis may have more of a tolerance to the effects then say a simple baker would. This is not to say that mages are less likely to develop it earlier on for it all depends on one's own mind. Mage Strain can happen to all Ellavarian people. Well, mostly. For it is said that the Ellavarian's own royal family is immune to the effects of this disorder despite their heavy influence with Islemaria's own magic. And if their are any truth to the rumors it is because of the Dryadic influence on each of the wielders of the bloodline.

Transmission & Vectors

It is developed through the use and the pressure of wielding magic

Symptoms

There are multiple symptoms that vary from person to person, but the most common are depression, anxiety, delusions, and changes in mood or temperament. If the signs are left unchecked, the individual can develop a mood disorder or even a multiple personality disorder. If the individual is insistent that he or she does not have the disorder and continues to practice magic to the same extent before the disorder developed they could cause their memory to become impaired resulting in anything from short-term memory loss to amnesia.

Treatment

It is a case-by-case basis but the normal procedure is completely removed the individual from places where magic is used heavily and have the individual stop their own magic use. From there they will attend psychotherapy appointments and engage in cognitive activities to refresh the mind.

Prevention

The individual must take breaks (anywhere from a few hours to a few days) in between heavy magic use. Or if the individual starts to hallucinate, feels dysphoric, and/or feels overwhelmed.

Cultural Reception

This disorder is treated as a very serious and normal phenomena.

Type

Mental

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Common

Affected Species

• Ellavara