Shevchuk 1

Julia Shevchuk

Mr.King

English 1

24 May 2017

Stressed out Love

Love can drive many people crazy but it becomes a problem when it starts to affect you.

The love and deaths that have been associated with Romeo and Juliet's love for one another has

taken its toll on Romeo. He may have a psychological disorder by the name of Acute Stress

Disorder; this is caused after experiencing a traumatic event. Throughout the story it is stated

many times that Romeo is living in his dreams; with this being a symptom he should be

diagnosed with Acute Stress Disorder (Acute).

Depression is one symptom that Romeo has that point him to having Acute Stress

Disorder (Explore). He experienced the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt then heard about the death

of his true love Juliet. He had stated Ay me, sad hours seem long (Romeo). This statement

shows how he is in a constant state of depression and how it makes him forget about time.

Romeo experiencing these deaths had an effect on his happiness and how he expresses emotion.

This is just one symptom that he has experienced after the trauma.

Another symptom Romeo has is his dreams seeming like a reality. He says Said he not

so? Or did I dream it so?(Romeo). This shows how he can't decipher his dreams and reality. He

doesn't know what's real and this could cause hallucinations that cause him to turn to substance

abuse which would cause even more issues (ACUTE). His condition will only continue to

worsen and many people do not know the real damage it can do.
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Although Romeo exhibits many symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder, it does not

necessarily mean that he has it, some people may just see it as episodes of depression and stress,

they do not see the joy he experiences while with Juliet. Before Romeo met Juliet he stayed

inside in a dark room not knowing what day it it (Romeo). Now when he is with her his mood is

better and he has fun(Romeo). His mood will with Juliet indicates that his condition may not be

very severe. This only happens when he is with her, which only happens for a short period of

time until she dies(Romeo). He is not only depressed he is also constantly stressed out and

avoids problems that could lead to another event which would make his condition worse.

It is seen throughout the story that Romeo is living an unrealistic life and this problem

could lead to the diagnosis of Acute Stress Disorder(Acute). If Romeo remains untreated it could

impact his everyday life. The sooner he is diagnosed the sooner he can get help and live a more

realistic life. If he doesn't receive the help he needs then he will continue to live everyday half to

the fullest. This does not go away with time; this will continue to alter how he lives his everyday

life.
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Work Cited

Kendra Cherry - Reviewed by a board-certified physician. "Explore This List of Psychological

Disorders in the DSM-5." Verywell. N.p., 13 Apr. 2017. Web. 31 May 2017.

"Acute Stress Disorder Symptoms." Psych Central. Steve Bressert, 17 July 2016. Web. 31 May

2017.

Library, Folger Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2017.

Long, Phillip W,, M.D. "ACUTE STRESS DISORDER." Acute Stress Disorder. N.p., n.d. Web.

31 May 2017.