"Shall we begin the session, Jonathan?" asked Dr. Tyrell. 566Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQbi3NI8gB
"Sure", said Jonathan. "The sooner the better."
"Well, as you are probably aware,", began the doctor, "you suffer from a very unique kind of mental disorder, one that even I have not come across in my two decades of career as a psychiatrist. This condition, if not treated in time, can cause serious problems."
"You mean that I'll turn into a serial killer or something?", asked John, with a hint of humor and sarcasm in his voice.
"Maybe.", replied Dr. Tyrell. "But I fear it could be much worse."
"In what way?"
"The recent traumatic events in your life have fractured your psyche, which has created an alternate reality."
"You also said that last time. But you did not mention the purpose this alternate reality serves.", asked John, with a hint of skepticism.
"To protect you from further pain and sorrow.", replied the doctor. "You are an avid reader and an extremely creative individual with escapist tendencies. This is helping your fractured psyche to build an elaborate alternate reality, one where you are always happy." 566Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOerPvYHdH
"When something we do not like happens, we go in a state of denial for some time.", continued Dr. Tyrell. "In your case, it is a bit more complicated, as in your world of make believe, the event never happened, or it happened as you wanted. We have to find a way out, or you may end up losing touch with reality altogether.".
"Even if I were to believe that this were true, how is it possible for this 'fractured psyche' of mine to put a positive spin on anything which makes me unhappy?"
"That is where things get interesting, from a medical standpoint, at least. In our sessions together so far, I have observed that it happens in a couple of ways."566Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObvc45p9hy
"And what might they be?"
"The first one which I observed was total loss of recollection of the event, similar to what happens in selective amnesia. The second one is by distorting the facts in your mind so that you always end up thinking that the outcome went in your favor, or that the whole thing happened to someone else, and you were just a mere spectator. The third, and the most common way your psyche is distorting reality is..."
Dr. Tyrell's voice trailed off, as he saw that John was having difficulty keeping his eyes open. He gave John a short nudge on the shoulder, to wake him up. 566Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOOcz8Ug8c
With a start, John opened his eyes wide and stared around the room with a confused look for a few seconds. Then, probably realizing that it is impolite to fall asleep while having a conversation, he proceeded to rub his eyes a little, so as to drive the sleep away. This seemed to have the desired effect, for he was fully awake after a few seconds.
"I say!", began John, "You wouldn't believe what a weird dream I just had concerning our session..."
"That was not a dream.", replied Dr. Tyrell. "As I was saying, that is the most common way your psyche is distorting the reality around you.".
"In that case doctor, answer me this. What is happening right now? Am I asleep or am I awake?"
"Obviously, you are awake, and in the middle of the session with me, Dr. Tyrell, your psychiatrist. Do you have a problem accepting this fact?"
"Well, yes I guess.", said John, with a hint of confusion in his voice. "Because in yesterday's session, that is exactly what the other doctor said..."
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