A disorder categorized by an incongruence in the physical body and identification or psychological connection to the Na’vi alien race from James Cameron’s Avatar series. Often co-morbid or misdiagnosed with Post Avatar Depression Syndrome (PADS) and Species Dysmorphic Disorder (SpDD.)
Diagnostic Criteria:
Section A: Dysphoria/Dysmorphia
Experiencing persistent, debilitating body dysphoria
Experiencing persistent, dehabilitating body dysmorphia
The discomfort and view of wrongness is specifically about:
height
skin color
skin patterns
hair type/color
facial features
number of fingers and toes
the lack of a tail and fanged canines
There must be significant dysmorphia or dysphoria about at least 3 or more of the mentioned features.
Section B: Emotional distress
Those afflicted with AvSDD have depressive symptoms due to their dysmorphia. These symptoms must either
A. Significantly impact functioning for two weeks or longer
B. Or be experiencing a depressed mood for 1 year or longer
Section C: Behavior and Impulses
1C: Behavior
Those afflicted with AvSDD have significant or debilitating behaviors associated with their dysphoria or dysmorphia of species. These may or may not include, but are not limited to:
Spending an abnormal, often dangerous or unhealthy amount of time outdoors in nature. Alternatively, obsessively or compulsively avoiding large cities.
Self harm behavior, including the carving of stripes or patterns, the severing or attempted severing of fingers or toes, or general self harm as a maladaptive coping mechanism.
Obsessive or compulsive refusal to use metal or plastic items.
Obsessive or compulsive refusal to traverse in motorized vehicles or on concrete.
Significant or obsessive body modification to match desired or perceived appearance. Afflicted is willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve desired appearance.
Checking or comparing appearance excessively to Na’vi race features.
2C: Impulses and Urges
Those with AvSDD have specific impulses and urges (that may cause social deficit, ostracization, or distress; notable but not required.) These may include:
Intense preference for a specific nature setting
Unintentionally or intentionally “hissing” or “baring teeth” when feeling threatened
Having phantom limbs or delusions of having different limbs
Preference, urge, and/or delusion that one can physically connect to nature
Preference or urge to see in the dark
Preference or urge to have a heightened sense of smell
Food cravings or intense preferences for specific food
This list is not exhaustive and varies from individual to individual. The afflicted must have three or more noted impulses or urges.
