PDS

PDS or Pre-diploma Syndrome is a disorder characterized by a set of physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms in a significant number of "undergraduate filmmakers" prior to their graduation.

For some undergraduates with PDS, the symptoms are so severe that they are considered disabling. This form of PDS has its own psychiatric designation:

pre-diploma dysphoric disorder (PDDD).

Discovery

PDS was first dicovered by Lebanese "senior in filmmaking" Riham H. Assi, in 2009.

Symptoms

Over 100 symptoms have been attributed to PDS. They may be both physical and emotional.

Physical symptoms may include headache, migraine, fatigue, insomnia, oversleeping, painful joints, backache, abdominal cramping, heart palpitations and weight gain.

Emotional and behavioral changes may include anxiety, depression, irritability, panic attacks, tension, lack of co-ordination, and decreased work. Undergraduates may feel "out-of-control", and having uncontrollable crying spells.

Symptoms may vary from day to day, and sometimes from hour to hour. There may even be symptom-free minutes, depending on how lucky the undergraduate is.!

Aside from the regularity of symptoms seen prior to graduation, there are certain elements which distinguish PDS from other disorders:
+ disruptive hormonal changes
+ sudden increased activity followed by the regular PDS symptoms mentioned above (migraine, fatigue, exhaustion.. etc)
+ email addiction (Emailoholic)
+ YouTube.com addiction.
+ Facebook addiction
+ Food addiction

Causes

The exact cause of PDS is unknown.
In fact, it is not known why "all" students have severe symptoms.


Treatment

There is currently no cure for PDS. The only known method of prevention is avoiding exposure to this syndrome, or disorder.

But in their monthly conference held in Beirut on the 1st of February, the nongovernmental organization "Together for a Lifeless Life" suggested several treatments for PDS, including:

+ running away

+ living in a chapel

+ resigning from social life

+ beggaring

+ committing suicide

+ evaporating

+ moving to outer space

--

Personally, I'll stay on Venus for the rest of my academic semester.

See you there..! ;]