- "Good drugs," added the announcement, "Not bad drugs. The ones we say."
Mnemodynia is a mental illness characterized by reported pain when engaging in serious thought. Mnemodynia was first declared a mental illness by the American Psychiatric Association with the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) Edition 7 (DSM-VII) in 2037. Behind the scenes, Mnemodynia was invented whole-cloth by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)'s Operation Ostrich as a means to encourage avoidance of thought in the public.
Causes
Some independent researchers attest that modern sedentary lifestyles create a positive feedback loop of Supernormal Stimuli. The new ubiquity of Augmented Reality and Multi-Streaming technologies means that people now have access to unprecedented supplies of dopamine and serotonon gratification. The net result is a deadening of the gratification received from positive experiences found in real life.
The APA issued a formal rejection of this line of inquiry with a statement issued by its President:
There is no evidence that the fabulous array of entertainment now available on all streaming platforms contributes to mnemodynia. And even if there were, it would be more wracked with errors than the disastrous plot of Herr Dr. Kilstein in Avengers XVII, Reboot 3 (worst villain, but best movie...? Chime in in comments below). And even if it weren't, it wouldn't be conclusive. And even if it were -- let people enjoy things!
Symptoms
Patients frequently report the following symptoms:
- Low energy (but a pretty reasonable diet)
- General malaise
- Big dreams
- High potential
- Ambiverted personality, like introverted extrovert? You know? A total walking contradiction!
- Insurmountable personal problems
- Many hobbies & interests
- Plenty of friends
Treatment providers generally report the following symptoms:
- Awful diet
- No exercise
- Investment in a rich inner fantasy world
- Frequent complaints
- Avoidant attachment style
- No actual adult problems
- Multi-Streaming addiction, with high rate of Idiopathic Multi-Streaming Addiction Disorder (IMSAD) comorbidity
- Tendency toward parasocial relationships
Treatments
As the causes for Mnemodynia are completely unknown, the APA prescribes palliative lifestyle adjustments. Sufferers are advised to think as little as possible, engaging in mind-numbing, repetitive and forgettable activities. This includes heavy media consumption, shallow social interactions, drug habits1, and Grindset.
Mindfulness is the most painful state for a mnemodyniac, so any engagement with their current experience is to be avoided. Sufferers are advised not to meditate, exercise, exit their comfort zone, question their emotions, or revisit the past.