Quixote Syndrome
Quixote Syndrome is a psychological disorder discovered and named by Doctor Anton Stark.
Overview
Quixote Syndrome is characterized by extreme hallucinations of objects, people, and even mythical monsters. It includes a belief that the victim and several people the victim knows are partly human creatures called "changelings" or "Kithain." All victims have professed a strong belief in magic.
The victims are curable through standard aversion and desensitization therapy. In extreme cases, electroshock therapy is used. Most victims suffer through a period of severe nightmares, anxieties, and strong hallucinations during the curing process. For some reason, after they are cured, their memories of these events are extremely cloudy and difficult to recall.
It should be noted that in 20th Edition, Quixote Syndrome is not actually an officially accepted medical disorder; in fact, many psychiatrists regard Stark as a harmful crank. However, he is a persuasive crank, and thus many of the same people who believe they can "cure" autism or homosexuality keep on believing in Quixote Syndrome and send off their children to unneeded and damaging therapy because the concept of changelings disturb them.
The foremost psychological institute for curing the malady is the Denholm Institute in California run by Doctor Joseph Chapman.
References
- CTD. Book of Storyteller Secrets, p. 37.