I was stopping in to see if this post/article is something that could be added to the front page, maybe? It's definitely an interesting read, and something a lot of us have been saying in varying degrees, for a good while.
Interesting post on Cullen and PTSD and how latter is not just rage-attacking everyone like TV thinks: http://shmegegi.tumb...t/96390092792 … cc @bbattye
That was an incredible response to a truly mind-bogglingly ignorant statement.
I once told someone, who wondered how the heck soldiers "get over" PTSD (as if they can ever forget whatever they saw or did that so traumatized them), that 98% of people who participate in combat situations will endure some psychological injury as a result. I told her, "The ones who don't can't respond NORMALLY, they lack the emotional capacity to respond to such events in what's truly a reasonable fashion. Think about it -- what sort of person endures such pain and hurt without being effected by it profoundly?" The soldiers I've worked with, I said, they derive comfort, rather, in learning how normal their responses are, that they're not strange or alone in how they feel.
Telling someone they're broken beyond capability is perhaps the worst thing you can do to someone who's already struggling with a sense of powerlessness. They need to be assured they can be stronger for having survived and overcome so much, rather.
I was stopping in to see if this post/article is something that could be added to the front page, maybe? It's definitely an interesting read, and something a lot of us have been saying in varying degrees, for a good while.
Yeah! R2 could add it in the first post or in the FAQ post!
I'm pretty sure Cullen still has nightmares from his time in the Circle, but that doesn't necessarily mean he needs to be emotionally crippled from it. Who says he can't overcome them and be a stronger person as a result.
That was awesome. I don't know if Cullen has PTSD, but treating it as something that always and everywhere leaves the victim debilitated is infuriating.
That's why I find it ridiculous when people say "it's been 10 years, Cullen should just get over it". I mean, how many people have still been permanently effected by something relatively normal like an amicable break up or the death of a pet, right? Now amplify that by a million for someone who has been through war, or been tortured, abused by a spouse etc. Of course he isn't going to just "get over it".That was an incredible response to a truly mind-bogglingly ignorant statement.
I once told someone, who wondered how the heck soldiers "get over" PTSD (as if they can ever forget whatever they saw or did that so traumatized them), that 98% of people who participate in combat situations will endure some psychological injury as a result. I told her, "The ones who don't can't respond NORMALLY, they lack the emotional capacity to respond to such events in what's truly a reasonable fashion. Think about it -- what sort of person endures such pain and hurt without being effected by it profoundly?" The soldiers I've worked with, I said, they derive comfort, rather, in learning how normal their responses are, that they're not strange or alone in how they feel.
Telling someone they're broken beyond capability is perhaps the worst thing you can do to someone who's already struggling with a sense of powerlessness. They need to be assured they can be stronger for having survived and overcome so much, rather.
That's why I find it ridiculous when people say "it's been 10 years, Cullen should just get over it". I mean, how many people have still been permanently effected by something relatively normal like an amicable break up or the death of a pet, right? Now amplify that by a million for someone who has been through war, or been tortured, abused by a spouse etc. Of course he isn't going to just "get over it".
Yep. Spot on. I have a nephew who did two tours in Iraq. He will never simply "get over it." 
I would love for the person who told Cullen to "get over it" be in his shoes and experience what he experienced and try to "get over" the events in the Circle and Kirkwall.
Separate post because I don't want to trivialize real mental illness.
I wonder if a desire for control is something he and a mage Trevelyan could have in common. The Chantry tells you that you have so much power that the Circle is necessary. But you can't prevent your world from being ripped to shreds. All you can do is fight as your friends and colleagues are cut down. Others become abominations. You try for peace but can't even have that because the Breach wipes everyone out. So what good are your Maker-given powers?
I would love for the person who told Cullen to "get over it" be in his shoes and experience what he experienced and try to "get over" the events in the Circle and Kirkwall.
Yep. Spot on. I have a nephew who did two tours in Iraq. He will never simply "get over it."
Anyone who has gone through trauma will not 'get over it'. They will be able to function again, but the memory of the event will never go away. It's like those people who say 'if it had been me, I would have done X,Y,Z'. Well, bud, it wasn't you. You weren't there, you've never been in that kind of situation and will never be if you're lucky.
It's easy to act tough when you're not facing the fire. I had someone threaten to beat me up once (earnest threat, by the way), and let me tell you it scared the beejezus out of me. Someone had a really good analogy: taunting a lion at the zoo is one thing, facing it in the wilderness is another.
I was so happy to read that post and then have it be supported by Patrick on top of it all. It should definitely be added to the first post somewhere.
And ohhhh, I still haven't really figured out much of a background for my human fem-quisitor, but I like your suggestion that both a former circle mage and Cullen would both struggle with needing to be in control jtav. I think I may actually use that. 
Nobody could walk out the Gallows without being a little unhinged by what transpired. Hell, the only reason I consider Cullen as noteworthy is because I want to know how he reacted and changed due to being broken by Meredith.I would love for the person who told Cullen to "get over it" be in his shoes and experience what he experienced and try to "get over" the events in the Circle and Kirkwall.
Whenever people have used that argument about him with me, I like to put them in their shoes by asking them how they'd feel if a group of terrorists attacked their work/school/uni/college/family, took them all hostage and one by one killed everyone, making you watch, leaving you as the only survivor. All have said that they'd want everyone and all associated with the terrorist group killed. I then point out their reply and quote Cullen's dialogue about his situation as a response.
I was so happy to read that article and then have it be supported by Patrick on top of it all. It should definitely be added to the first post somewhere.
And ohhhh, I still haven't really figured out much of a background for my human fem-quisitor, but I like your suggestion that both a former circle mage and Cullen would both struggle with needing to be in control jtav. I think I may actually use that.
I seem to be very good at coming up with ideas. Not so good at sticking with them.
To be fair, they aren't. Only mages can do all the cool magic spells. Normal humans can't, so he's right they aren't like "you and me". Plus, it's barely been a year since his torture by that point, so of course he's going to be angry and still suffering.Still can't wait to hear him justify "Mages aren't people [like you and me]." though, especially if Hawke was a mage; Varric could've heard him say it. I feel it will be relevant whether or not the Inquisitor is a mage, because I imagine he'll have to work closely enough with Vivienne.
Re: people's misunderstanding of PTSD- I tend to think of these people as being the same type that laughingly consider themselves to "be OCD" just because they are videogame completionists or they enjoy an alphabetized book collection. The social outcomes of these behaviors are different, but they are borne of the same general ignorance.(nb: I was diagnosed with OCD @ 20 years ago.)
I've been lucky enough to be a student alongside some veterans, some of whom were diagnosed with PTSD, and I can tell you that they were among the most perceptive and dedicated students in our class. They were often thrust into leadership positions during group projects, due to their seemingly innate competence and maturity. Not exactly the hallucinating, quivering wrecks that so many folks seem to think they "should" be.
Still can't wait to hear him justify "Mages aren't people [like you and me]." though, especially if Hawke was a mage; Varric could've heard him say it. I feel it will be relevant whether or not the Inquisitor is a mage, because I imagine he'll have to work closely enough with Vivienne.
That quote bothered me at the beginning as well, but once I thought about it I can see what he means. Mages are not the same as a regular human, they can shoot fire out of their hands and a regular human can not. So if you look at it that way, I have to agree with him.
Do I think Mages should be locked up and tortured? No! But they're not like regular people and acting as if they were could be potentially dangerous when you run into Mages like Uldred and Grace. So something has to be done.
*Kinda 
lol*
To be fair, they aren't. Only mages can do all the cool magic spells. Normal humans can't, so he's right they aren't like "you and me". Plus, it's barely been a year since his torture by that point, so of course he's going to be angry and still suffering.
Also, I wish people would stop using that one line to justify him being the "bad guy", I think by now it's pretty clear that he isn't given that he's part of the Inquisition leading your troops, not to mention both his writer and David Gaider telling us he isn't bad/evil. If he had wanted to slay mages then he would have rebelled with the others. He didn't. That speaks volumes.
Rant over.
I didn't mean to reference it with such negative connotations. I'm sure he'll be blushy and awkward and angry at Varric if he were to bring it up in concern for a romanced mage Inquisitor. (; She'll just have to forgive him, though maybe after a slap or a storm off. Even he agreed that the statement was harsh immediately afterwards.
That's fine. Nonetheless, the Divine Right crap is what bothers me much more.To be fair, they aren't. Only mages can do all the cool magic spells. Normal humans can't, so he's right they aren't like "you and me". Plus, it's barely been a year since his torture by that point, so of course he's going to be angry and still suffering.
Also, I wish people would stop using that one line to justify him being the "bad guy", I think by now it's pretty clear that he isn't given that he's part of the Inquisition leading your troops, not to mention both his writer and David Gaider telling us he isn't bad/evil. If he had wanted to slay mages then he would have rebelled with the others. He didn't. That speaks volumes.
Rant over.
I think one can say he was a bad knight-captain without saying he's a horrible bigot who needs to die.
Retour en haut
