Necessity James: Difference between revisions

Although it doesn't affect her day-to-day life in many ways, and is not considered a handicap, Necessity is afflicted with a mental condition known as synaesthesia. This was picked up due to experimental drug use in her teenage years, and will likely be with her for life. In Necessity's case, this only seems to 'kick in' during moments of subconciousness (i.e., when asleep, daydreaming, etc). In layman's terms, during these episodes she perceives people and overt emotions as colour, and touch and sensation as taste. Tests show she has no true empathic ability, but if someone is yelling and shouting, they're obviously angry. If they're crying, they're sad. It is this that she picks up on. Another possibility is that, since these episodes only occur when she is daydreaming or sleeping, she already 'knows' who everyone is, and her brain can assign them a colour based on that knowledge.

It is often difficult to remain professional during sessions with Necessity, as I often find myself close to bursting into laughter. It is important to realise however that this is a serious psychological issue and requires further study.

I have often considered the possibility of artificially inducing an 'episode' whilst Necessity is awake and concious, to see whether the synaesthesia will take hold in it's current form. Will she, for example, perceive me as a green or yellow block? Perhaps it is the notion of her perceiving me as a red, or worse, grey block that is stopping me from chasing this possibility. Also, I have no idea what effect these episodes have on her mental state, and would not wish to visit any trauma, stress or panic upon her unduly.

- Counsellor Lisa Hyatt, Starfleet Academy.