Aftermath-A Mistake · 11:28pm Apr 4th, 2019
It has come to my attention that in the first chapter of Aftermath, Daughter Of The Moon, I have written something insensitive. Initially, I had written that the connection between Nightmare Moon and Luna was the result of something similar to Disassociative Identity Disorder. This was wrong of me to do.
Since the original publication of this chapter, I've learned and grown as a person as well as a writer, and in doing so, I've learned just how harmful it is to write a villain created by Disassociative Identity Disorder, as it demonizes a very real, and largely non-violent, non-dangerous mental disorder.
I've debated for a while on how to remedy my mistake. Removing all mention of it would be as bad as pretending that I never had such prejudices in the first place, but I want to make the story more reader-friendly, along with changing it for continuity reasons as I correct myself later on.
My solution is this: I've re-written the scene in which the idea of Disassociative Identity Disorder is introduced, but will be leaving the offending paragraphs below to show what prejudice and misinformation can create.
I apologize to anyone I may have hurt, and I promise to do better in the future.
***
The feeling of dread deepened. “What happened? I-is she okay?” the teen’s voice shook.
Twilight bit her lip, carefully choosing her words. She didn’t answer the question, at least not directly. “Have you ever heard of Dissociative Identity Disorder?”
Nyx cocked her head, confusion written across her features. “No, no, what is that?”
The older mare opened the file with the hoof that had been previously tracing over it. Her magic flared and flipped through the papers, passing them to Nyx to look at as she spoke in summary of what was on each page. “Dissociative Identity Disorder, more commonly known as multiple or split personality disorder, is a condition usually the result of a traumatic experience, which acts as a way to help a pony avoid bad memories. A new pony is developed, or in some cases ponies, with a unique and distinct personality, name, history, characteristics, both internal and physical, and can even be another gender. Typically this new pony is mentally stronger than the “original”, meant to take over when things become too much for them. In some cases, the personalities aren’t even aware the other or others exist.” she paused, passing a final paper to the teen. “It’s...what Princess Luna has been diagnosed with.”
The young Alicorn sat shell-shocked, trying to absorb the information lain before her.
“It’s treatable.” the mare said gently, rising in her seat and leaning across the desk to lay a comforting hoof on the girl’s shoulder. “However, that’s it. There’s no way it can be cured.”
Hey Nerdz? Question, do you by any chance have Discord? I'd love to talk with ya there if that's alright, and as for this, it really makes my heart warm when someone realizes a mistake they made and acknowledges it. UNLIKE SOMEONE I KNOW, but I digress, it shows strength of character and signs of maturity ^^
5038342
As a matter of fact, I do! I’m NerdyVocals on discord
5045057
Tag? Like, the four digit code?
5045086
Whoops, sorry! I don’t add new people often, unless it’s from a server. It’s 4350
5048482 Request sent ^^