07-30-2023, 08:11 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-30-2023, 08:13 AM by Tristan Wells.)
The eyeroll annoyed him a little, but it ebbed away when the patient began to speak and Tristan understood that the illness he was suffering from was one of the soul. This could lead to all kinds of spiteful behaviours in some patients.
Perhaps he shouldn't be surprised. An alcoholic father who battered his wife - and could Tristan really know how he had treated his children? -, a murderer for a brother, obscene wealth that probably meant the young man had never had anything to work for in his life, and then there was all the things his patient added to it as he spoke.
The bit about this person named 'Calliope' caught his interest in particular, though mostly because of his own research interests. He knew those should be subordinate to his patient's wellbeing, and so he merely made a mental note that he stored away for later.
He mentally noted other things: the way his patient seemed unable to estimate how much time had passed since the symptoms had gotten worse; the fact that the young man seemed aware that his father was mad at his mother, but didn't mention the battery; the friend or lover who got married; the way he spoke about his artistic gifts and the lack of acknowledgement; the alcohol dependency; the awkwardness around sex; and then finally, feeling dead. It hardly required medical training to see that he was dealing with a clear case of melancholia. But there was a lot underneath to unpack.
"That is a lot for one person to deal with," he admitted. "You say you feel like you are dead. Is it something you want as well, or do you just feel like you are?"
Perhaps he shouldn't be surprised. An alcoholic father who battered his wife - and could Tristan really know how he had treated his children? -, a murderer for a brother, obscene wealth that probably meant the young man had never had anything to work for in his life, and then there was all the things his patient added to it as he spoke.
The bit about this person named 'Calliope' caught his interest in particular, though mostly because of his own research interests. He knew those should be subordinate to his patient's wellbeing, and so he merely made a mental note that he stored away for later.
He mentally noted other things: the way his patient seemed unable to estimate how much time had passed since the symptoms had gotten worse; the fact that the young man seemed aware that his father was mad at his mother, but didn't mention the battery; the friend or lover who got married; the way he spoke about his artistic gifts and the lack of acknowledgement; the alcohol dependency; the awkwardness around sex; and then finally, feeling dead. It hardly required medical training to see that he was dealing with a clear case of melancholia. But there was a lot underneath to unpack.
"That is a lot for one person to deal with," he admitted. "You say you feel like you are dead. Is it something you want as well, or do you just feel like you are?"
