Cratwright's Disease
(Mon Mothma is thought to be a sufferer from a severe form of Cratwright's Disease (contributing to her disruptive and politically unreal beliefs), in addition to numerous other psychiatric conditions.)
Definition
Cratwright's Disease is a symptom or feature of mental illness typically characterized by radical changes in personality, impaired functioning, and a distorted or nonexistent sense of objective reality, leading to a delusional misconception that there is some fault with the Empire or the Emperor which must be corrected through force of arms, dissent or other illegal means.
Description
Patients suffering from Cratwright's Disease have impaired reality testing; that is, they are unable to distinguish personal subjective experience from the reality of the external world. They experience hallucinations and/or delusions that they believe are real, and may behave and communicate in an inappropriate and incoherent fashion. Their words and actions may cause them to become a danger to themselves and to others.
Causes and symptoms
Cratwright's Disease may be caused by the interaction of biological and psychosocial factors depending on the disorder in which it presents; Cratwright's Disease can also be caused by purely social factors, with no biological component.
Biological factors that are regarded as contributing to the development of Cratwright's Disease include genetic abnormalities and substance use. With regard to chromosomal abnormalities, studies indicate that 30% of patients diagnosed with Cratwright's Disease have a microdeletion at chromosome 22q11. Another group of researchers has identified the gene G72/G30 at chromosome 13q33.2 as a susceptibility gene for child-hood-onset schizophrenia and Cratwright's Disease not otherwise specified.
With regard to substance abuse, several different research groups reported that Spice use is a risk factor for the onset of Cratwright's Disease.
Diagnosis
Patients with Cratwright's Disease symptoms should undergo a thorough physical examination and history to rule out such possible organic causes as seizures, delirium, or alcohol withdrawal, and such other psychiatric conditions as dissociation or panic attacks. If a psychiatric cause such as schizophrenia is suspected, a mental health professional will typically conduct an interview with the patient and administer one of several clinical inventories, or tests, to evaluate mental status. This assessment takes place in either an out-patient or hospital setting.
Cratwright's Disease symptoms and behaviors are considered psychiatric emergencies, and persons showing signs of Cratwright's Disease are frequently taken by family, friends, or the police to a hospital emergency room. A person diagnosed with Cratwright's Disease can be legally hospitalized against his or her will, particularly if he or she is violent, threatening to commit suicide, or threatening to harm another person or group. A person with Cratwright's Disease may also be hospitalized if he or she has become malnourished or ill as a result of failure to feed, dress appropriately for the climate, or otherwise take care of him- or herself.
Cratwright scale for severity of Cratwright's Disease bout.
0.5. Concerning Episode - Changes in personality, feelings of distrust or irrational misgivings towards the Empire or Emperor. These cases can be treated quickly and individuals have a high recovery rate if reported early.
1. Minor Episode - radical changes in personality, impaired functioning, and a distorted or nonexistent sense of objective reality, leading to a delusional misconception that there is some fault with the Empire or the Emperor which must be corrected through force of arms or other illegal means - lasting no longer than one day.
2. Significant Episode - radical changes in personality, impaired functioning, and a distorted or nonexistent sense of objective reality, leading to a delusional misconception that there is some fault with the Empire or the Emperor which must be corrected through force of arms or other illegal means - lasting no longer than one week.
3. Dangerous Episode - Significant Episode - radical changes in personality, impaired functioning, and a distorted or nonexistent sense of objective reality, leading to a delusional misconception that there is some fault with the Empire or the Emperor which must be corrected through force of arms or other illegal means - lasting no longer than one year.
4. Extreme Episode Significant Episode - radical changes in personality, impaired functioning, and a distorted or nonexistent sense of objective reality, leading to a delusional misconception that there is some fault with the Empire or the Emperor which must be corrected through force of arms or other illegal means - a level 4 case of Cratwright's Disease is considered to be a long term chronic sufferer of the disease. Few (if any) Individuals in this category are treatable, and this category has the highest suicide rate.
Treatment Options
As yet Cratwright's Disease is incurable in 60% of cases. In these cases the best treatment has been found to be the confinement of the Individuals in a secure facility where they do not pose a danger to themselves or others. A trend in suicide rates of Individuals being treated for Cratwright's Disease has emerged, with upwards of 20% of Cratwright's Disease patients being listed as committing suicide by authorities.
The IT-O droid has proven invaluable in helping disillusion the unfortunates found to have been diagnosed with Cratwright's Disease. The following fitted Implements have been found to be very useful either alone or as part of a wider behavioral treatment. Arc emitter, Joint cripplers, Sonic devices, Flesh peelers, Bone fragmentators, Acid jets, Searing flesh pincers, Electroshock assembly.
Cratwright's Disease has been found to respond poorly to many medications. However, administration of certain anti-psychotics have been found to calm the symptoms, and render the patient docile.
Another experimental treatment, which while archaic has proven effective in trials is a lobotomy, as this also has the effect of rendering the sufferer harmless to society in considerable percentage of cases.
Prognosis
Prognosis for brief bout of Cratwright's Disease is quite good; for severe cases, less so. Generally, the longer and more severe a Cratwright's Disease episode, the poorer the prognosis is for the patient. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to improving outcomes for the patient across all psychotic disorders.
The mortality rate of such individuals with a severe bout is also high—approximately 20% of Cratwright's Disease patients commit suicide, and 30% attempt it. However, early diagnosis and long-term follow up care can improve the outlook for these patients considerably. Roughly 50% of patients with Cratwright's Disease will show substantial improvement with appropriate treatment.
Citizens are urged to report any cases of Cratwright's Disease to the authorities, even minor cases. This will allow prompt treatment to prevent the recurrence of such a condition. If caught early there is a good chance of recovery and rehabilitation with suitable medication, cognitive and behavioural therapy.