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Steven Universe Theory - Lapis Lazuli has PTSD

Lapis Lazuli has always been (and remains) amongst the most mysterious and enigmatic characters in Steven Universe. Prior to Season 3, little was known about her history or motivations, and even after her narration in Same Old World, details remain scarce.

With that said, recent episodes have provided strong evidence towards a possible interpretation of Lapis’ psychology: that she is experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD.

The episode Barn Mates has generated a fair amount of debate (perhaps even some mild controversy) over the response of Lapis to Peridot’s advances. At first glance, Lapis’ demeanour may be interpreted as cold or thoughtless, with little regard shown for Peridot’s feelings.

However, if we take a closer look at Lapis' mental state, her actions may become more understandable.

Causes of PTSD

Wikipedia describes PTSD as:

“a mental disorder that can develop after a person is exposed to a traumatic event … Symptoms may include disturbing thoughts, feelings, or dreams related to the events, mental or physical distress to trauma-related cues, attempts to avoid trauma-related cues, alterations in how a person thinks and feels, and increased [fight or flight response].”

PTSD goes beyond the short-term stress more commonly experienced after traumatic events; it is often long-term (sometimes lifelong), and can have a profound influence over an individual’s entire psychology.

Lapis Lazuli has a long history of traumatic circumstances, many of which are associated with the disorder. According to helpguide.org, “traumatic events that can cause PTSD include:

◆ War

◆ Car or plane crashes

◆ Kidnapping

◆ Assault

◆ Sexual or physical abuse”

"serious injury or such threat to the self or others in a situation in which the individual felt intense fear, horror, or powerlessness.” (Wikipedia)

Gathering those pictures was rather depressing…

… which, I suppose, was the Crew’s intent. Lapis is what TvTropes describes as a ”woobie”: a character who suffers repeated misfortunes, drawing sympathy from the audience. When written effectively, a woobie can be highly engaging, as the audience longs to see them overcome their conflicts and achieve a happy ending.

Lapis has finally overcome the physical threats to her wellbeing, but the psychological effects still impact her in significant ways.

Symptoms of PTSD

Lapis demonstrates a significant number of PTSD symptoms, including, but not limited to:

"Reliving the event … You may feel the same fear and horror you did when the event took place. … You may see, hear, or smell something that causes you to relive the event. This is called a trigger."

Lapis loses her grip on Steven for a long time after seein the Galaxy Warp, suggesting that her mind is completely preoccupied with the associated memories.

"You may feel detached from others and emotionally numb"

Ocean Gem:

Same Old World:

I always found it rather odd that Lapis, despite her friendship and gratitude towards Steven, gives him a rather hasty goodbye in Ocean Gem. Having watched Same Old World, it seems that this was a conscious move by the Crewniverse, as Lapis makes another speedy departure despite having been rescued by Steven and company. The way the scene plays out, it seems as though she never even planned to say goodbye.

It isn’t that Lapis does not value Steven, or what he has done for her; rather, she is experiencing a high degree of social detachment, instinctively seeking solitude despite enjoying Steven’s company.

"You may think the world is completely dangerous, and no one can be trusted."

Mirror Gem:

"Don’t trust them, Steven. Goodbye."

Thankfully, Lapis has made some progress in this regard, as she seems comfortable residing in Crystal Gem territory and even helps the Crystal Gems in Hit the Diamond.

"[Losing] interest in activities and life in general, sensing only a limited future for yourself."

Lapis believes that she has nowhere to go, as she cannot return to Homeworld but does not feel that she belongs on Earth.

"Increased anxiety and emotional arousal. These symptoms include trouble sleeping, irritability or outbursts of anger, difficulty concentrating, feeling jumpy and easily startled, and hypervigilance (on constant “red alert”)."

When Lapis’ Gemstone is damaged, she appears to be in fight or flight mode, despite Steven’s peaceful advances.

"irritability or outbursts of anger"

This may not be irritability, per se, but Lapis is notably deadpan and emotionally reserved around the Crystal Gems in Hit the Diamond (but not so when alone with Steven).

And, perhaps most importantly:

"You may try to avoid situations or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event."

Peridot is (unknowingly) a powerful trigger for Lapis’ Post-Traumatic Stress. While Yellow Diamond and Jasper are the main culprits behind Lapis’ mistreatment, Peridot was complicit in the mission. Her past interactions with Lapis are largely unknown, but Peridot mentions having interrogated Lapis, and we are already familar with Homeworld’s method of demanding information from Lapis Lazuli Gems.

Even if Peridot did not place Lapis in another mirror, and merely kept her captive aboard the ship, this frosty reception is hardly surprising. Peridot is a reminder of the crimes of Homeworld, and while she now views herself as a crusader against Homeworld, Lapis was present for none of that development.

Thus, while Peridot is sincere in her redemption, Lapis is (as expected in cases of PTSD) fixated on past memories of Peridot, rather than the new Peridot that she sees in the present. This, combined with Peridot’s struggles with communication and understanding others’ perspectives, creates the central conflict of Barn Mates.

Treatments for PTSD

There are no failsafe cures for PTSD, and overcoming the condition is often a highly individualised process. In virtually all cases, however, some form of counselling or interpersonal psychotherapy is the default course of action. While Steven is by no means qualified in the field of psychology, he does perform an equivalent function in his interactions with Lapis.

Steven is a healer, both literally and figuratively. Not only does his magic allow him to heal physical wounds, but he also possesses a tremendous capacity for empathy, which may (in time) allow him to heal mental injuries. These abilities form the cornerstone of his relationshp with Lapis Lazuli, allowing him to become her friend and help her out of a seemingly hopeless situation.

Steven has already helped Lapis to overcome her aversion to living on Earth, and it seems that the series will continue in this fashion, showing Lapis slowly rebuild her life (and her sanity) through Steven’s friendship.

"Exercise, sport and physical activity … The U.S. National Center for PTSD recommends moderate exercise as a way to distract from disturbing emotions, build self-esteem and increase feelings of being in control again."

A less common (and more controversial) treatment is exposure therapy.

"Exposure therapy is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that involves assisting trauma survivors to re-experience distressing trauma-related memories and reminders in order to facilitate habituation and successful emotional processing of the trauma memory.” (Wikipedia)

This is what Steven (unknowingly) attempts in Barn Mates. He believes that if Lapis can see how different Peridot is and tries to tolerate her company, she will eventually overcome the aversion. However, this approach fails spectacularly.

In order for exposure therapy to succeed, it must be driven by the patient’s own motivations. Attempting to force this course of action will only serve to worsen the patient’s mental state. Thus, Steven fails to make any headway. Lapis has only recently escaped from traumatic circumstances, and her aversion to Peridot, while unfortunate, is entirely understandable.

Personally, I appreciate the decision to have Lapis withhold forgiveness. Having a character change too quickly can feel rushed or forced; one of the strengths of Peridot’s redemption arc was its length, allowing ample time for her to incrementally change her outlook. It appears that Lapis is beginning a similar arc, where she will come to accept Peridot in her own way, and in her own time.

Things may seem rather hopeless now, but this could all be the start of a beautiful friendship.

Sources used:

Wikipedia

helpguide.org

US Department of Veteran Affairs

Steven Universe Theory - Lapis Lazuli has PTSD

Lapis Lazuli has always been (and remains) amongst the most mysterious and enigmatic characters in Steven Universe. Prior to Season 3, little was known about her history or motivations, and even after her narration in Same Old World, details remain scarce.

With that said, recent episodes have provided strong evidence towards a possible interpretation of Lapis’ psychology: that she is experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD.

The episode Barn Mates has generated a fair amount of debate (perhaps even some mild controversy) over the response of Lapis to Peridot’s advances. At first glance, Lapis’ demeanour may be interpreted as cold or thoughtless, with little regard shown for Peridot’s feelings.

However, if we take a closer look at Lapis' mental state, her actions may become more understandable.

Causes of PTSD

Wikipedia describes PTSD as:

“a mental disorder that can develop after a person is exposed to a traumatic event … Symptoms may include disturbing thoughts, feelings, or dreams related to the events, mental or physical distress to trauma-related cues, attempts to avoid trauma-related cues, alterations in how a person thinks and feels, and increased [fight or flight response].”

PTSD goes beyond the short-term stress more commonly experienced after traumatic events; it is often long-term (sometimes lifelong), and can have a profound influence over an individual’s entire psychology.

Lapis Lazuli has a long history of traumatic circumstances, many of which are associated with the disorder. According to helpguide.org, “traumatic events that can cause PTSD include:

◆ War

◆ Car or plane crashes

◆ Kidnapping

◆ Assault

◆ Sexual or physical abuse”

"serious injury or such threat to the self or others in a situation in which the individual felt intense fear, horror, or powerlessness.” (Wikipedia)

Gathering those pictures was rather depressing…

… which, I suppose, was the Crew’s intent. Lapis is what TvTropes describes as a ”woobie”: a character who suffers repeated misfortunes, drawing sympathy from the audience. When written effectively, a woobie can be highly engaging, as the audience longs to see them overcome their conflicts and achieve a happy ending.

Lapis has finally overcome the physical threats to her wellbeing, but the psychological effects still impact her in significant ways.

Symptoms of PTSD

Lapis demonstrates a significant number of PTSD symptoms, including, but not limited to:

"Reliving the event … You may feel the same fear and horror you did when the event took place. … You may see, hear, or smell something that causes you to relive the event. This is called a trigger."

Lapis loses her grip on Steven for a long time after seein the Galaxy Warp, suggesting that her mind is completely preoccupied with the associated memories.

"You may feel detached from others and emotionally numb"

Ocean Gem:

Same Old World:

I always found it rather odd that Lapis, despite her friendship and gratitude towards Steven, gives him a rather hasty goodbye in Ocean Gem. Having watched Same Old World, it seems that this was a conscious move by the Crewniverse, as Lapis makes another speedy departure despite having been rescued by Steven and company. The way the scene plays out, it seems as though she never even planned to say goodbye.

It isn’t that Lapis does not value Steven, or what he has done for her; rather, she is experiencing a high degree of social detachment, instinctively seeking solitude despite enjoying Steven’s company.

"You may think the world is completely dangerous, and no one can be trusted."

Mirror Gem:

"Don’t trust them, Steven. Goodbye."

Thankfully, Lapis has made some progress in this regard, as she seems comfortable residing in Crystal Gem territory and even helps the Crystal Gems in Hit the Diamond.

"[Losing] interest in activities and life in general, sensing only a limited future for yourself."

Lapis believes that she has nowhere to go, as she cannot return to Homeworld but does not feel that she belongs on Earth.

"Increased anxiety and emotional arousal. These symptoms include trouble sleeping, irritability or outbursts of anger, difficulty concentrating, feeling jumpy and easily startled, and hypervigilance (on constant “red alert”)."

When Lapis’ Gemstone is damaged, she appears to be in fight or flight mode, despite Steven’s peaceful advances.

"irritability or outbursts of anger"

This may not be irritability, per se, but Lapis is notably deadpan and emotionally reserved around the Crystal Gems in Hit the Diamond (but not so when alone with Steven).

And, perhaps most importantly:

"You may try to avoid situations or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event."

Peridot is (unknowingly) a powerful trigger for Lapis’ Post-Traumatic Stress. While Yellow Diamond and Jasper are the main culprits behind Lapis’ mistreatment, Peridot was complicit in the mission. Her past interactions with Lapis are largely unknown, but Peridot mentions having interrogated Lapis, and we are already familar with Homeworld’s method of demanding information from Lapis Lazuli Gems.

Even if Peridot did not place Lapis in another mirror, and merely kept her captive aboard the ship, this frosty reception is hardly surprising. Peridot is a reminder of the crimes of Homeworld, and while she now views herself as a crusader against Homeworld, Lapis was present for none of that development.

Thus, while Peridot is sincere in her redemption, Lapis is (as expected in cases of PTSD) fixated on past memories of Peridot, rather than the new Peridot that she sees in the present. This, combined with Peridot’s struggles with communication and understanding others’ perspectives, creates the central conflict of Barn Mates.

Treatments for PTSD

There are no failsafe cures for PTSD, and overcoming the condition is often a highly individualised process. In virtually all cases, however, some form of counselling or interpersonal psychotherapy is the default course of action. While Steven is by no means qualified in the field of psychology, he does perform an equivalent function in his interactions with Lapis.

Steven is a healer, both literally and figuratively. Not only does his magic allow him to heal physical wounds, but he also possesses a tremendous capacity for empathy, which may (in time) allow him to heal mental injuries. These abilities form the cornerstone of his relationshp with Lapis Lazuli, allowing him to become her friend and help her out of a seemingly hopeless situation.

Steven has already helped Lapis to overcome her aversion to living on Earth, and it seems that the series will continue in this fashion, showing Lapis slowly rebuild her life (and her sanity) through Steven’s friendship.

"Exercise, sport and physical activity … The U.S. National Center for PTSD recommends moderate exercise as a way to distract from disturbing emotions, build self-esteem and increase feelings of being in control again."

A less common (and more controversial) treatment is exposure therapy.

"Exposure therapy is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that involves assisting trauma survivors to re-experience distressing trauma-related memories and reminders in order to facilitate habituation and successful emotional processing of the trauma memory.” (Wikipedia)

This is what Steven (unknowingly) attempts in Barn Mates. He believes that if Lapis can see how different Peridot is and tries to tolerate her company, she will eventually overcome the aversion. However, this approach fails spectacularly.

In order for exposure therapy to succeed, it must be driven by the patient’s own motivations. Attempting to force this course of action will only serve to worsen the patient’s mental state. Thus, Steven fails to make any headway. Lapis has only recently escaped from traumatic circumstances, and her aversion to Peridot, while unfortunate, is entirely understandable.

Personally, I appreciate the decision to have Lapis withhold forgiveness. Having a character change too quickly can feel rushed or forced; one of the strengths of Peridot’s redemption arc was its length, allowing ample time for her to incrementally change her outlook. It appears that Lapis is beginning a similar arc, where she will come to accept Peridot in her own way, and in her own time.

Things may seem rather hopeless now, but this could all be the start of a beautiful friendship.

Sources used:

Wikipedia

helpguide.org

US Department of Veteran Affairs