Culture Shock, Thursday, 6/04, Period 2

[shiroi_tiger]

When the students entered the classroom today, they might, if they weren't too distracted by their own issues, notice that their teacher looked a little more disgruntled than usual today. He also looked cold. And wet.

Somebody had realized that it would be a very good idea to take a long, cold shower before work today, yes.

"Depression," Algren began, leaping directly into the lecture and apparently thankful that today's item on the syllabus was the most mood-killing one this term, "is probably the most common and definitely the most noticeable stage of culture shock. It tends to settle in around the edges, even while you're experiencing the other symptoms, and often manifests itself as a feeling of hopelessness and longing. It seems by that point that the only way to deal with it is to leave where you're at, go back home, and forget that you ever had the insane notion to leave in the first place."

Speaking from experience? Oh, yes.

"It doesn't have to be severe. It isn't always rational or even immediately explicable. But it can do a great deal of emotional and mental damage until it's overcome. A person might opt out of leaving home in order to socialize, or even to buy food. They might start doubting everything that they do, including tasks that are still familiar to them from home, while they're in their new surroundings. Know that none of you are inferior, simply different, and that if the insanity of Fandom Island is making you doubt yourself? We're all in the same boat on this one."

Pacing? Algren? How could he not?

"I've organized a couple of handouts on coping with depression. Look at them. Keep them, in-case you're feeling it yourself in this new environment. And discuss." Pause. "Keep it clean. And if anyone mentions crocodiles to me today? Detention. For life."

Probably not for life.

[OCD on the way. Class is up. Have at thee!]

Comments

Sign In [6/04]

[shiroi_tiger]

Woe.

Re: Sign In [6/04]

[bitchprince]

Arthur Pendragon

Re: Sign In [6/04]

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin

The Lecture [6/04]

[shiroi_tiger]

Listen, mope, squirm, pass notes making plans for later. Just don't do anything in the classroom that will result in Algren having to break you apart like two dogs in the springtime.

Re: The Lecture [6/04]

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin stayed quiet and sullen and not looking in anyone's direction to get through this damned class so he could just leave.

Whatever this was needed to be over and done with now.

Re: The Lecture [6/04]

[jommetry.livejournal.com]

Though she could feel something in the air, Esme had the good fortune to be completely unaffected. This should come as a surprise to no one. She was listening the lecture, simply thinking that the entire town had gone ridiculous.

She thought this most days, but especially today. She didn't even know how to work the radio to hear the things people got up to. The hormones on the island just seemed to be palpable, and they needed ketchup.

Re: The Lecture [6/04]

[thatsamilkshake]

Francine got there a little late. That would be due to the trip to her room where, just like in the dressing room of her previous class, she could not get it off. The outfit, that is. And she couldn't bring herself to ask anybody for help - like Edna could, anyway - she was three feet tall.

She tried to Tawny Madison her way into the room and to her seat, since the blushing just made her feel more like an idiot, but she really only managed to project please no one ask please no one ask please no one ask.

Re: The Lecture [6/04]

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Pardon Merlin's staring. It was just... a very distracting outfit.

Possibly better than that homecoming dress.

Re: The Lecture [6/04]

[glacial_queen]

This class was slightly less frustrating than the rest of the day would be. Mostly because she was focused less on the funny feelings she was having and more on glaring at Merlin. Who was really looking like he was having a rotten day.

Good.

Re: The Lecture [6/04]

[saikyou-no.livejournal.com]

When Kenshin arrived, he was understandably nervous, but when it seemed that the teacher wasn't going to... act insanely, he sat quietly, and listened to the lecture.

Re: The Lecture [6/04]

[nevertobequeen.livejournal.com]

Morgana wasn't certain why everyone was in such dour moods, and she wished, not for the first time, that she could read Arthur's mind. Thinking about knowing how he felt made her feel a bit more restless, but she certainly wasn't going to let it show.

Discussion [6/04]

[shiroi_tiger]

Have you felt any symptoms of depression in a new environment? You don't have to share examples with the class if that's too personal for your comfort, but if you've found any coping methods, or if any of the strategies on the handouts seem like they'd work for you, please, share with the class. You never know if doing so will help a suffering neighbour.

Re: Discussion [6/04]

[glacial_queen]

"When I am feeling discomfitted" how that nicely covered a whole range of emotions! "I go out and work in the garden. Working with the land generally soothes me, helps me think, and feels like home," Karla admitted.

Re: Discussion [6/04]

[thatsamilkshake]

"Ice cream," Francine said without actually raising her head from her desk. God, how she wanted some, since it was also a good cure for confusion, tension, frustration and ...well, lack of ice cream. All of which she was currently suffering.

Re: Discussion [6/04]

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"Sword work."

Talk to the TAs [6/04]

[shiroi_tiger]

Who, hopefully, aren't as uncomfortable today as their teacher is.

Re: Talk to the TAs [6/04]

[bitchprince]

This wasn't at all a familiar story. It wasn't helping that by now Arthur was more than aware of the enduring heat, and that wasn't doing much for his own sense of 'hopelessness around the edges'.

He didn't look uncomfortable. He just wound up looking like a particularly disdainful, brooding statue.

Re: Talk to the TAs [6/04]

[darkangelsawyer.livejournal.com]

Peyton might just have been staring quite a bit at the teacher and thinking that now she was a graduate and 18 maybe, just maybe certain people weren't as out of reach as they'd once been.

She was ... uncomfortable and... wanting... and ugh, just wishing she could relieve some of this tension.

And okay, she had to admit to staring at most of the guys in the class if she was honest.

Talk to Algren [6/04]

[shiroi_tiger]

No, he won't excuse you from class today if you feel like you reallyreallyreally have to leave to satisfy the urges that your teenage hormones are pressing on you.

OOC [6/04]

[shiroi_tiger]

I actually agonized over this class when it came time to write it up. On the one hand, island-wide crack. On the other hand, this is a serious topic that I know for a fact has touched most of us out there in one way or another.

I hope I've managed to settle on the happy medium, acknowledging the event while at the same time approaching the issue of depression in a helpful manner, to both your characters, and any mun in the class who knows what this lesson is talking about. Depression, whether it's over a move or another life-changing event, or some chemical imbalance that may or may not be treated with medication, is difficult on not only the people feeling it, but the people who are close to them as well.

At the risk of sounding sappy, today? You're not alone, guys, and it isn't hopeless, no matter how strongly you may feel to the contrary now and then. Promise.

Re: OOC [6/04]

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

My solution for fleeting homesickness-related depression is pie. It works pretty well for me. I think the cookie cake pie (http://www.cakespy.com/2009/05/triple-threat-cookie-cake-pie.html) may need to be made the next time it happens.

Re: OOC [6/04]

[thatsamilkshake]

*curls up and snuggles, which sounds Wrong when applied to Nathan, except for how mrrrrm, not really*

Re: OOC [6/04]

[nevertobequeen.livejournal.com]

*snuggles as well!*

*with bonus snuggles for Nathan, ahem*

Re: OOC [6/04]

[formerbrat.livejournal.com]

*hugs you* I think you reached a good balance.

Re: OOC [6/04]

[notyourpawn.livejournal.com]

I fail at expressing this, but ... thank you, for that. *hugs*