#tmnt and CPTSD

[brightlotusmoon]

I was thinking about the lead pipe incident

What if Mikey flinch every time Raph was about to hit him over the head after the lead pipe incident?

Yes, what if indeed.

I've pondered this with fellow fic writers! It would go against Mikey's character to be afraid of Raph, but a simple arm raise could dig deep enough as a trigger to pull out just a little PTSD. It might not even be noticeable. Hell, what if nobody realized it until something else happens. Certainly not Mikey consciously. Maybe he has nightmares and then forgets the details.

Years and years ago, I read a couple of fics where Raph actually did hit Mike. They ended tragically. I got asked a few times if I might write one since I have brain damage and know plenty of people who recovered from severe head trauma. I'm still thinking about it. Poor Raphie.

[brightlotusmoon]

You know what? Let's do 2003 Mikey. The fandom gets a little divided on him compared to other Mikeys. He seems best at brushing off collateral damage.

Tmnt 2003 Leo Diagnosis

More #TMNT Therapy! Let's look at Season 4 2003 Leo.

So, the general consensus was: yes, please diagnose #2003Leo regarding #PTSD. I'd love to! Its been the fan theory for a while so let’s see if it pans out!

Currently, there is not a separate diagnosis for Complex PTSD or CPTSD in the USA. Rather, the criteria for it has been added into the broader diagnosis criteria. So, it is a bit up to the individual therapist. So, let's see how Leo pans out and then we’ll further clarify from there.

Now, one of the requirements for PTSD is time. Less than 1 month with symptoms is more likely to be Acute Stress Disorder, which, for all intents and purposes, is nonchronic PTSD. The symptoms usually dissipate as opposed to PTSD where symptons linger.

The timeline in the 2003 verse isn't precise but given they receive treatment for their injuries, heal from their injuries enough to return to usual activities, the events of season 4, Leo’s trip to Japan, the time spent with the Ancient One, and his trip back, I'd say at least 6-12 months. So, the time requirement is met.

Now, onto actual criteria.

Symptoms for PTSD are divided into 5 criteria with at least one symptom having to be present in each category:

CRITERIA A

* Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence in one (or more) of the following ways:

1. Directly experiencing the traumatic event(s). —CHECK ✅

2. Witnessing, in person, the event(s) as it occurred to others. —CHECK ✅

3. Learning that the traumatic event(s) occurred to a close family member or close friend. In cases of actual or threatened death of a family member or friend, the event(s) must have been violent or accidental. —CHECK ✅

4. Experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic event(s) (e.g., first responders collecting human remains; police officers repeatedly exposed to details of child abuse). Note: Criterion A4 does not apply to exposure through electronic media, television, movies, or pictures, unless this exposure is work related.—-I say yes because watching his injured family heal always drives home the memory, dealing with Hun is driving home the memory, his own injuries are driving home the memory —CHECK ✅

CRITERIA B

* Presence of one (or more) of the following intrusion symptoms associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred:

1. Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s). Note: In children older than 6 years, repetitive play may occur in which themes or aspects of the traumatic event(s) are expressed. —CHECK ✅

2. Recurrent distressing dreams in which the content and/or affect of the dream are related to the traumatic event(s). Note: In children, there may be frightening dreams without recognizable content.—We don’t really see Leo’s dreams and he doesn't talk about them so we can't count this one.

3. Dissociative reactions (e.g., flashbacks) in which the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic event(s) were recurring. (Such reactions may occur on a continuum, with the most extreme expression being a complete loss of awareness of present surroundings.) Note: In children, trauma-specific reenactment may occur in play.—We don’t see any full-blown flashbacks as far I can tell so no on this one.

4. Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s). —CHECK ✅

5. Marked physiological reactions to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s). —CHECK ✅

CRITERIA C

* Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by one or both of the following:

1. Avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s). —CHECK ✅

2. Avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders (people, places, conversations, activities, objects, situations) that arouse distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s).—This one is tricky but since Leo takes the opposite approach to charge headlong in, I say no to this one.

CRITERIA D

Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more) of the following:

1. Inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic event(s) (typically due to dissociative amnesia, and not to other factors such as head injury, alcohol, or drugs).—Leo remembers it too well so no on this one too.

2. Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world (e.g., “I am bad,” “No one can be trusted,” “The world is completely dangerous,” “My whole nervous system is permanently ruined”). —CHECK ✅✅✅

3. Persistent, distorted cognitions about the cause or consequences of the traumatic event(s) that lead the individual to blame himself/herself or others. —CHECK ✅✅✅

4. Persistent negative emotional state (e.g., fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame). —CHECK ✅

5. Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities. —CHECK ✅

6. Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others. —CHECK ✅

7. Persistent inability to experience positive emotions (e.g., inability to experience happiness, satisfaction, or loving feelings). —CHECK ✅

CRITERIA E

Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two (or more) of the following:

1. Irritable behavior and angry outbursts (with little or no provocation), typically expressed as verbal or physical aggression toward people or objects. —CHECK ✅✅✅

2. Reckless or self-destructive behavior. —CHECK ✅

3. Hypervigilance. —CHECK ✅

4. Exaggerated startle response. —CHECK ✅

5. Problems with concentration.—Sort of? His fight with Splinter indicates the emotions/memories disrupt his focus so let's say yes —CHECK ✅

6. Sleep disturbance (e.g., difficulty falling or staying asleep or restless sleep).—We don't see enough of this to really accurately judge. So no here.

* Duration of the disturbance (Criteria B, C, D and E) is more than 1 month. —CHECK ✅

* The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. —CHECK ✅

* The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., medication, alcohol) or another medical condition —CHECK ✅

So…yep, Leo absolutely meets the criteria for PTSD. I doubt any fan is super suprised as I think the writers really did their homework. So, that leads us to the question:

Is it Complex PTSD?

So, there are a few features that are more prevalent in Complex PTSD that are not as prevalent in regular PTSD. Let’s look at the main 3:

Recurrent Trauma—Yes! Yes, yes. I mean, our boys all have this just by nature of their usual lives having a fear of discovery, uncertainty about access to necessities, lack of wide social support (they have the quality of support to be sure in each other and Casey/April but they don't have the quantity) and the usual conflicts they engage in but let's point out what I consider it be key points:

—Lost their home since childhood to invasion/attack

—Family members/friends kidnapped

—Manipulation by potential ally (Oroku Saki’s deception)

—ALL of the Shredder Strikes back: severe injury, inability to protect his family, the loss of April’s shop, having to flee the city, loss of his swords, injury recovery...it’s a lot.

—Disappearance of Master Splinter. Not just the loss of his father but having to then step into the role his father left behind.

—Being poisoned

—All of the Triceraton mess: imprisonment, being forced into a fighting ring, threat of world annihilation...all while thinking his father is being tortured?

—The Triceratons invade, Honeycutt dies, his brother is tortured

—The time travel messes with Renet

—Ultimate Draco scattering him family over time

—ALL of Exodus. That was just the straw that broke this camel’s back

Difficulty with Emotional Regulation

We definitely see this with Leo, primarily with anger and responsibilities. He becomes obsessed with his ‘failure’ and tries to overcorrect.

Interpersonal Relationships

This is what causes Leo to finally address his issues. His connection to Master Splinter is the final flag but Hus relationship with his brothers and friends, including Usagi, suffer to the point of reduced interaction.

But…as we all know, Leo sees the Ancient One, processes his trauma, and comes to terms with what happened to him. Being a cartoon, they do the whole “he's cured!” bit. But CPTSD doesn't work like that. Leo likely still had periods of struggle but learned to rely on his family for support instead of trying to do it all himself.

So…

FINAL DIAGNOSIS:

Season 4 Leo—Complex PTSD (CPTSD)

End of Series Leo—Complex PTSD, in remission

Anyone else you guys want to visit my therapist's couch?

[stellaspectral]

📜 “𝐬𝐮𝐧 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫” 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨 📜

Handy links: 📖 Sun Killer fanfic 📖 Sun Killer moodboard/playlists 📖 Shell Shock Squad chat references 📖 Sun Killer - Meet the Characters

Prepare for long-windedness, kiddos.

This is my in-progress, multi-chaptered fic that I'm currently working on. Set in the ROTTMNT universe years after the movie, it follows a female reader who gets inadvertently involved with the Mad Dogs when she runs into a mysterious person (literally) and takes home the "creepy mask" they dropped.

I generally know where the story is going, and I've already decided that I'm breaking it up into at least two multi-chaptered fics. I also want to expand upon characters in this world and write some oneshots focusing on them. This will include canon characters as well as "original" ones. Speaking of original characters …

Along with the reader (which I'll explain here in a bit why I'm mentioning her here), I have created some original characters for this story. Some of them are based on existing characters in the ROTTMNT/general TMNT universes, while others are wholly original creations of my own.

So why did I mention the reader when talking about original characters?

Well, I admit that I did have a fully-formed character in mind when I first started conceptualizing and thinking about this story. Fully-formed as in having an in-depth backstory, physical description, name, etc. But I ultimately decided on keeping some of these elements intact (because her backstory is actually important to the plot!) and laying off some of the others so it would suit a reader experience.

You might be wondering what the title means and why I chose it. There's a couple reasons. First, I was listening to my favorite band Spiritbox a lot while coming up with what was to become Sun Killer. (Also, go listen to them—they're AMAZING!) In some ways, their music inspired parts of the narrative. I ended up using not only the band as the "in-universe" stand-in for the reader's actual band, but I also shamelessly sniped their songs as chapter/story titles, etc.

Second reason I chose the name is because as I said above: Spiritbox's music inspired parts of the narrative. But the title Sun Killer may or may not become more relevant to the plot as the story goes along. 😉 Yeah, uh … spoilers?

With that, I'd like to talk about the reader. For reasons (one being that I'm desperate for some autistic AFAB rep), she is female and identifies with she/her. If you want, you're free to skip the following section if you want to go in totally blind or are afraid something here might color your perspective of the reader too much. In that case, just skip ahead past the dividers.

Without giving away too many spoilers, here are some general "facts" about her, to give you a feel for what you're getting into. She …

is a vocalist in a band, but they're currently on a sort of hiatus.

keeps a journal detailing her strange and vivid dreams—and some of these accounts end up as lyrics.

learned to sing because of rather, um … unfun experiences (religion.)

is from Pennsylvania, but is now living in New York.

is going to Eastlaird University for her junior year of her psychology degree.

is a twin.

is neurodivergent (definitely somewhere on the spectrum with a side of ADHD and CPTSD.)

Anything else might be a spoiler, so the only other things I can offer is a moodboard I made (I can't draw; sue me) and a couple playlists. Check those out here.

I also haven't decided how explicit the story is going to be yet. There will be violence. There will be blood. Swearing, too. But will there be smut? Perhaps, but I do love me some slow burn tbh. On that note, I should probably talk about the pairings set-up.

Bluntly stating, it's Leo/Reader and Donnie/Reader. With a focus on the former before the latter (uh, yeah. you'll see what I mean once more is posted.) There's also April/Sunita and Raph/Mona Lisa. There are some other pairings I have in mind, but we'll have to see what becomes of those later.

Just pay attention to all the tags, regardless! I'll be updating them when needed.

All in all, I'm excited to get this story going! SK will be my biggest fan project in a long time. I don't have a timeline for how long it'll take, but I have a Mighty Need™ to get this down and out of my head.

[brightlotusmoon]

"You did good, Mikey. You did good."

"Leo, stop encouraging him."

"No, it's okay, he's getting enrichment."

Baby

2003 Leo: Mikey is just a baby. No matter what, that's what he'll always be. We should praise him for any and everything he does.

2012 Leo: Agreed.

2003 Donnie: LEO! MIKEY KILLED A MAN!

2003 Leo, 2k12 Leo: That's great!

2003 Donnie: WHAT?!

[edgyandoverzealous]

So my ex all but outright forbade me from making that rottmnt angst fic, something about "it'd traumatize the fandom" or something because (my personal cannon) my roots are in creepypasta, it was baby's first fandom and horror is my lifelong lover since I was old enough to read, I tend to be a bit too dark...in my writing.... sometimes

That aside, and because 2012 was the one I grew up with and is basically a horror series already, if I made a 2012!tmnt time loop angst either Mikey or Leo Centric, I haven't quite decided quite yet, I'll add a poll in the post, and called it "Game Over : Bad Endings" and posted it on a03 would anyone be interested?

Essentially it'd be a rewrite of the first two seasons of 2012!tmnt, cause that's all Netflix has rn and all I have access to, as well as the brain is rotting in more ways than one. Except it's all the times where if it weren't for luck and/or impeccable timing and not even a second later they would've died in horrible gruesome ways. And either Mikey and/or Leo are stuck essentially in the bad timeline universe in a time loop until they figure out how to get through the day without all of them dying. So with *more* physical and psychological torture of both dying and watching your brothers die day after day. (I'll add softer moments such as brotherly cuddle puddles and comfort after CPTSD nightmares as a treat/apology for putting them through the horrors this time, deal?)

[bugkennel]

₊ 𖦹﹕* intro *！(🪲)

୧ ‧₊˚ find request info: ⬈ here

➜ ┊: (info on me! ) ᵎ ✰

- ◡̈ bibie ! 🍎 ( nessence or any shortened version 🌟 as well ) 🫧

- pangender, any prns ( including neos ), lesbian (femme)!

- carrd in works! twt is @bweeuhh

- ▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊|• bodily 20, black, 🥄 chronically ill, audhd, bpd, cptsd 🔆

🐋🍼🏓🦈 .ᐟ

➜ ┊: ( info on my regression ) ᵎ ✰

- little ages: ( 0-7 ) .ᐟ 🛁

- pet spaces: ( puppy, bunny, kitten, bat, big cats, bear cub, pig, deer, chick/duck, birds, seal, sea lion, elephant, otter, shark, hybrids [ ex. manokit ], etc. )

🫖🍝🦕👒🪡

➜ ┊: (interests) ᵎ ✰

- spin: various forms of art ! ( jewelry-making, animation, film, scrapbooking, collaging, poetry, music, story-telling, song-writing, general crafting )

- current main interests: resin art, 🎨 jewelry-making , TMNT 🐢 (mm), trolls, across the spider-verse, marine animals, poetry, music, lps, dolls, calico critters, toy collecting

- will post: stimboards/moodboards (xenogender/neprns/nonhuman/agere/petre related) (happy to take rqs!), collages or art, things i like to do, talk about, or watch ! 💫

[brightlotusmoon]

One of my fics on AO3 got a new comment, and it's amazing.

"I am utterly enchanted by your writing style. The elegant prose and poetic descriptions in this fic create an immersive reading experience. You have a way with words that's truly mesmerizing."

[cryingcoyote13]

Introduction

Hello! You can call me Ash, Wolf, or Kiyote. I am a fanic writer, artist, and many other things!

Do NOT post my work on any other platform. Reblogs only please.

Masterlist

☆prns; they/any

☆sexuality / gender

unlabeled

genderfluid

☆disorders / diagnosis

adhd [vast]

anxiety

depression

autistic

i have very bad anger issues

ptsd & cptsd

☆hyperfixations / special interests

Redwood Bureau Podcast

Unexplained Encounters Podcast

Plushies

Horror movies

HTTYD

Avatar (atwow & alta)

TMNT

Warrior Cats

Wolves

Wolf Quest

Paranormal Things

Taxidermy & Vulture Culture

☆age

Transformers

Marvel

Womp womp

☆alterhumanity

OtherKin

☆rules

Therian

ask to message me

do not flirt with me

do not repost my works on other platforms

i do NOT write smut

☆ other acc links

pin: @zombie_mutt2530

toyhouse: crypt1c-coyot3

deviantart: gh0stlyk1tt3n

artfight: xfairy_kittyx

discord: cryingcoyote13

[bambiraptorx]

5 and 29 for the TMNT ask game!

5.) Which iterations are you familiar with?

Rise is the one I know the best for sure. I started watching through 2003, but I got out of my rhythm with that and have yet to return to it lol. I'll finish it some day.

The others I know bits and pieces of mostly through fandom osmosis, crossovers, etc, but I haven't particularly engaged with them much as of yet. 29.) What is one headcanon that you have?

Hmmm this is a bit more on the serious side, but I think it's very likely that Rise Splinter has PTSD/CPTSD. Looking at what he went through and some of his behaviors, I think it would make a lot of sense and fit with some of the struggles he has. At the very least he's got something going on given that he refers to his own mind as a 'hideous and horrifying place' in the episode the turtles go through his memories. He seems to be aware that he has mental health issues, but I don't know that he'd have a specific label for them.

[nothums-from-tj]

[formerly: not-a-god-posts, orchidville]

Hiii welcome 2 my blog!!

(pfp: Than from MPGIS over the trans flag, credit to @pridewishes)

Trevor/Trev/TJ (I also accept Fjord or Fred) ~ 23 ~ he/him/his ~ I write, sometimes I draw <3 ~ trans, ace, and demiro ~ autism, OCD, cPTSD, mentally ill ~ I reblog odd shit and I talk abt my political stances sometimes ~ ACAB, BLM, pro Palestine, anti-racist, pro choice, anti Islamophobia and antisemitism ~ 🐜🍵/🍄🕷️

I do commissions if ur interested (both writing and drawing), I work a lot and I’m usually low on spoons so it’s nothing urgent :] info/socials/Art Fight here:

DNI: bigots and MAGAts ig, if I feel the need to block you I will (I’ll likely have specific DNIs in posts rather than general)

BYF: I’m ace/arospec and anti; if anyone tries to give me discourse on these subjects you’re blocked on sight (feel free to ask me questions/have a conversation, I’m not debating), this is not a safe space for MAGAts/rad republicans you’re stupid and I will make fun of you

Please block me if I’ve crossed your DNI! /nm I’m not always paying attention to blogs before I interact unless it’s on the post/in the tags of whatever I’m seeing! I don’t want to overstep any boundaries!

(Check out #palestine on my blog for info and donations/fundraisers/ways to help!)

TAGS (full masterlist here):

#tj talks = talking about non-fandom things and things I put/type myself

#tj writes = writing projects !

#tj draws = my art!!

#tj shares = my own fandom related posts !

#fanfic wingmen = TMNT Rasey 3-shot basically

#tbmg = PPG Boomercup multi-chap fic

#texts = non fandom related reblogs

#sd celeb au = prompts/ideas/etc on an AU I’m working on, this is mostly for me to check haha

#fppg au = PPG foster care AU (fostered Powerpuff Girls)

[brightlotusmoon]

Fanfic: The Square Root of Infinity, Ninja Turtles | FanFiction

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3159349/1/The-Square-Root-of-Infinity

-

"So it's okay then." And Mikey was up, flipping to his feet and then reaching back down. Raph stared at his outstretched hand.

"How..."

Mikey waited.

"How can you forgive me so easily?" His voice had stopped cracking, was coming out low, rough. "How can you care, just like that?"

And that sad smile was back. "I think the question is how could I not?" Mike sighed and shifted slightly, balancing on the balls of his feet. "Raph, there was never a question in my mind about whether or not I trusted you, or would forgive you. I did the second I saw you with the pipe in your hand."

Raph choked.

"It's like, counting the stars, picking up every individual grain of sand from a beach, or calculating the square root of infinity." Mike's eyes were like twin lasers, pinning Raph in place. "You're my brother – it's impossible for me to hate you. It can't be done. And I'm not gonna waste my time trying, when I could be stopping Donnie from eating all the cheese popcorn." His hand was still reaching out for him. "Understand?"

Raphael looked at the hand, and then reached out, grabbing it, letting his baby brother pull him up, and up, and then he was there, crushing Mikey, hugging him as though trying to keep him in one piece. Mikey hugged him back, burying his face into his brother's shoulder.

-

This is Michelangelo. He knows what he's about.

This is also exactly why AU explorations of his psychology and his dynamic with each brother are the best things ever, in this essay I will

[brightlotusmoon]

Beep boop another idea:

A Tmnt story based off this that is far more gory and grim dark than most of the other iterations. Basically an ‘evil turtle’ AU where Splinter raised the turtles as ‘true ninja’ (ie evil assassins with no empathy or compassion) and this is the evil that transpired. Splinter raised the turtles in merciless attitude and together the clan not only killed the shredder, but took over the city. Splinter became too powerful and eventually abandoned the turtles (not seeing them as sons in this world) and became an evil lord ruling over New York. Karai, after escaping the city, tries to retire in peace but is brought back by Leonardo, her close friend, asking for help to take down Splinter and return the city to stability. She helps him, and they kill splinter only for Leonardo to betray her and try to take over the city himself. Karai ends up killing Leonardo, but not without being blinded in one eye and lashed across her face with twin katana. Raphael, not knowing what his brother did (not being present) vows vengeance on his brothers killer and hunts down karai and tries to kill her. A disabled Michelangelo (seizures, wheel-chair bound, missing a leg) stops Raphael from doing so, only for karai to end up killing Raphael and fleeing, leaving Donnie and Michelangelo to flee back to the city while karai vows vengeance on all those who helped Leonardo back in the city, though she feel mercy for Michelangelo for freeing her. Returning to the city, she takes her vengeance at the cost of the city and Donatello ends up dying in the crossfire. Mikey, now a lone and and broken hearted child (14/15) is adopted by Jennika and Leatherhead, who guide mikey in taking down Karai.

https://youtu.be/yaxRl3He7xg

Ohhhhh I love it I love it I love it I love it do it do it do it do it do it

...later, though. You've got so many ideas.

FYI, Dark Splinter AU ideas are my bread and butter, I may have mentioned that after @valpoet and @fire-fira invented the Splonter Theory via Discord.

The whole point of my first 2003 AU was to pretend Splinter used too much Tough Love. And then there's my wonderful Dark 2012 AU where he's the worst dad ever...

[bambiraptorx]

and by process his past i mean that he's much more aware of the fact that he's had multiple extremely traumatic experiences and that they have indeed affected him negatively. He still has issues he's just aware of them now.

Also said issues are compounded by the fact that he has relatively few people in his life and (because of relationship trauma largely stemming from Big Mama) does not feel comfortable with any level of closeness because he's so used to it being used against him.

He's not necessarily healthier, just more aware of how fucked his mental health is.

currently thinking about mcmt Splinter and how he'd be different from canon. he didn't have to take care of four kids for one thing, so maybe he had more time to actually process his past. also he might end up in the apartment above april's lol

[brightlotusmoon]

Question time! Other than mikey, Is there any other Tmnt character you like to give disabilities to in your stories? I have a few of my own, actually, too.

I love having Leonardo lose an arm, leatherhead becoming blind, and Mondo with spinal injuries particularly. And RiseRaph in our story has jaw and eye disabilities (half-sighted in one eye and broken jaw) Plus I like giving 2012 mikey a limp from that time shredder shattered his leg

Do you mean 2003 Mikey getting his leg shattered? Because I've planned that! I wrote a oneshot that takes place during the Exodus storyline where the Utrom were fixing Mikey's legs while he was drugged.

I imagine 2012 Donnie with chronic neck and shoulder pain, all Leonardos with migraines, all Raphaels with muscle strain.

Now that I think about it, I heaped it all on Mikey because the other three had enough happen to them all over the franchise and Mikey had just automatically become my iron woobie.

[brightlotusmoon]

"...In fact, a lot of things are reversible in the show: while there’s a lot significant change within the series, little of it seems to alter the core status quo of four mutant turtles living with their mutant dad rat, who by the end of Turtles Forever are essentially the same characters they were in the first episode.

Michelangelo kills an alternate version of his father without blinking. Donatello sees alternate versions of his family die, and continues the rest of the series with no visible trauma. Leonardo deals with PTSD after he chooses to sacrifice his entire family to save the universe, but visible signs of it go away as soon as he spends some months with a Wise Martial Arts teacher..."

-

Okay so can we talk about Mikey and Sliver while mentioning the fic by @catbowserauthor that's basically the only fic that's explored Mikey's haunting guilt by way of Macbeth (Guilty By Association), and how I had Mike confess in Brightest Fire while bringing up Donnie's experience, because yeah uh

[brightlotusmoon]

Oooh. This IS fun.

@theangelofangst @hummerhouse @fire-fira @deadlyflan @diploglottis @sacredartist33013 @slady-ao3

2003 Mikey Diagnosis

Thanks @brightlotusmoon for this request! It was fun

This one is fun. Because the writers really didn't like to give Mikey deep moments (which is one of my issues with 2003 TMNT, as much as I love it), we don't have nearly as much to work with as Leo. But I think we have uncovered something interesting—

So, in regards to trauma, I don't think its as straightforward. For the PTSD diagnosis, Mikey certainly meets the section A criteria--exposed to a traumatic event, family exposed to a traumatic event, etc. His whole family has this in spades.

He also meets criteria C as he will do anything BUT think about the traumatic events. And some of the behaviors in Criteria D are better explained by his ADHD

But Criteria B and the clinically impactful section he tends to fail on. Now, part of this is writing because, like I said, the writers really don't like to get too introspective with Mikey but I think there's another potential explanation.

While Mikey is an eternal optimist, as a therapist I would absolutely question his “no emotional reaction to trauma—and loads of it” and I’ll tell you why:

Trauma masking.

This a coping mechanism where someone throws themselves 110% into whatever role they are used to playing/expected to play. It might seem to outsiders that no trauma happened at all. It usually occurs in people who are insecure or who constantly put everyone else first (like our favorite nunchaku user) as they don't want attention put on them which could be directed toward others.

Mikey, judging by his actions in the series as a whole, is not nearly as confident as puts out. In fact, I’d suspect his self-esteem is very low. All his bragging, all his bravado, are very common for people who don't think high of themselves and are pleading for some kind of validation from others.

But directly asking feels wrong. So, they don't.

They don't want to be an inconvenience. As much as Mikey longs for attention, it has to be for the right reason. He reads the room exceptionally well and with so much energy being spent trying to help his oldest brother, Mikey would not want one iota spent on him before Leo is back to normal. He regularly plays the emotional sacrificial goat so this likely would feel like “here we go again, family first.”

Mikey understands the stress his brothers are under. He also understands that Leo has gone through more than the rest of them but still chose to try and lead the best he could until he literally couldn't anymore. He plays the compare game A LOT so in his mind, what he went through is insignificant next to Leo’s.

Ergo, Leo needs the healing more than me. My other brothers don't need to be worried about me too. I can't put more on Father’s plate.

Mikey is the master of “play your role.” Because he's seen it make his family relax, smile and bring back some sense of normalcy. THAT is what he feels he can do.

Mikey, fairly frequently, makes himself the butt of the joke, the clown, the one who wants to be noticed. If he's been called mindless, immature, etc then that's the role he will play because it gets him a sample of that validation he wants. Its not exactly what h wants but by thus point, he's accepted that us the closest he’ll get.

He doesn't want to break that, even if internally, he has been suppressing all these emotions of fear, sadness, from the frustration. The problem is though...as th trauma builds, the usual means of coping will eventually collapse, most likely to Mikey’s detriment.

So, what does this mean for therapy?

Well, it means I couldn't do a PTSD diagnosis as he is not currently presenting with all the symptoms. But, as I suspect an underlying set of symptoms that are not being expressed, I would likely do this:

Unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder, R/O PTSD

R/O for those who don't know, means “rule out.”

We would need to meet with Mikey a few times. We'd do digging, build some rapport, and I suspect we'd find quite a bit about self-esteem, confidence and fears we would need to work on. Likely involving the rest of his family near the end.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS:

Unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder, R/O PTSD, R/O Depressive Disorders