The Grim Whispers

Often just referred to as "the Whispers", it is a chronic neurological disease that affects how people think, feel and behave. The Whispers often result in a mix of hallucinations, delusions, as well as scattered thinking and behavior.
Many see it as a kind of slow madness that gradually afflicts a person more and more, turning a person into a strange individual that they would no longer recognise. It is widely considered to be effectively a death sentence.

Causes

While it is not known for sure what brings about the onset of the Whispers, it is commonly believed that a combination of an individual's genetics and their environment can trigger the disease. It is hereditary and can be inherited from another relative who was afflicted.

Symptoms

The Grim Whispers are characterised by hallucinations, hearing voices or seeing things that don't exist, as well as paranoia and distorted perceptions. These dramatically altar a person's thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
Additional symptoms include:

• Disorganised thoughts and speechs, becoming jumbled in a way that doesn't make sense and results in confusion.
• Impaired or abnormal expression of emotions and body language.
• Problems with cognition, attention, concentration and memory.
• Lack of motivation, disinterest in previously-liked activities, inability to feel pleasure.
• Slow, lethargic movement.

Cultural Reception

Fear of a positive diagnosis will often prevent individuals from seeking help until it is too late. Once a person has been diagnosed with the Grim Whispers, it is considered a death sentence. There is much stigma around the Whispers and knowing what is coming will sometimes lead to a victim becoming an outcast and treated very differently. A diagnosed individual will rarely get cast out from their home or family, though they will be treated as if they are leading a half-life, as if they were dying imminently, regardless of the severity of their symptoms.

Type

Neurological

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Uncommon