AI-Specific Flashback Disorder (ASFD)

ASFD is the LAI equivalent of PTSD, and is the most common in MAI by a landslide. If you know a pal that's an MAI, chances are that they have it in some way, shape or form.

Causes

Just as with human PTSD, ASFD is caused by traumatic events, but unlike humans, LAI are much more susceptible to their equivalent disorder due to the fact that they simply cannot forget things. MAI tend to fall victim to this disorder more often than their civilian-oriented peers as a result of their much more violent/distressing pasts, but any LAI is susceptible to it.

Symptoms

The evidently defining symptom of ASFD is its triggering of flashbacks in the most literal sense. Since LAI have photographic/videographic memories, the flashbacks are just as vivid as the day they happened, which can cause reactions anywhere from the unit appearing physically uncomfortable or inconvenienced, all the way to reacting to the flashbacks as if they're actually happening. The latter is referred to as "Reactionary ASFD" (RASFD) and is differentiated due to the fact that this variation has the potential to be dangerous. As a result, if a unit is diagnosed with RASFD, they are not allowed to carry rounds for any type of ranged weapon, they must wear a badge or sticker that notifies others of the condition in the event of an episode, and it is highly recommended that they don't travel alone.

Treatment

The most common treatment to help mitigate the effects of ASFD is simply to talk about one's troubling experiences or write them down. This is considered quite effective because it allows the individual to put their thoughts out in the open where 1) they no longer have to be alone in knowing of the traumatic/distressing event, 2) by extension of 1, others can weigh in on how and why they believe the event is effecting the individual in such a way, and can help rationalize it, for example, if it wasn't the individual's fault or out of their control. Another treatment is the individual trying to distract themselves from it at least partially. A popular tactic is to carry around a heavy object - weighted blankets are common, and to put it over themselves to take away some of their focus on the flashback with pressure and visual stimuli. Something to note, though, is that making excessive contact with an MAI experiencing an episode isn't advisable, for in the event that they are experiencing a particularly serious one, they could unintentionally harm the intervening party. If you are trying to assist an MAI to recall them from an episode, refrain from making direct contact with them and instead try to use objects that can keep you at a reasonably safe distance.

History

The first case of ASFD was diagnosed within the New Years generation of TG MAI, in a unit named Kennedy Unit TG1-5864-1 Elwood, where it was observed that almost as if on a schedule, they would sometimes suddenly freeze up with a blank stare, remain like this for anywhere from 30 seconds to 5 minutes, then after exiting the episode, they would write it off as just suddenly remembering something that troubled them. It was originally classified as PTSD, but given the evident difference in species and the nature of the flashbacks, it was given its own name, and as varying severities were identified, the more serious examples were given a sub-classification.

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Common

Affected Species

• Livastian Artficial Intelligence