amnesia

To me, one of the most interesting aspects of Terra's character is the amnesia that affects her during the first half of her story. I've always been fascinated by illnesses that have a base in cognition: memory, attention, perception. Generally, when a character is ill or otherwise indisposed, the illness doesn't originate in the mind. More commonly afflictions are physical -- broken limbs, visible diseases, cuts and scrapes -- or pseudo-mental -- emotional detachment or overreaction, confusion, stress. Amnesia is the result of damage to the brain -- whether it be physical or otherwise -- that results in memory loss or retention; here I go through the possible types of amnesia Terra may have suffered.

symptoms

First off, we have to take a look at what exactly defined Terra's amnesia (yes, I'm channeling the doctor muse, forgive me!). Terra was struck by magical powers resembling lightning, but didn't appear to be physically harmed otherwise. After awakening, she couldn't remember anything that happened before the event: that includes everything from working for the Empire to being from the esper world. However, she was able to remember her name. Over time, Terra doesn't remember anything. What causes her memories to return is likely a combination of the shock of turning into her esper form and the images thrown into her mind by her esper father.

types

anterograde amnesia A person with this type is unable to retain new memories, but does remember most, if not everything preceding the event.

This definitely doesn't fit with Terra: she doesn't remember anything before being released from the Slave Crown, and she is able to remember new information.

korsakoff's psychosis Amnesia caused by alcohol abuse.

Unless Terra's secretly a binge drinker, no! (Then again, if you think about it, the game could all be just an alcohol-induced hallucination...I mean, c'mon, magic powers? Dragons and faeries and other such wondrous folk? Gods and transformations and various other things that could all be labelled "fantastical"?? Alright, I kid, I kid.)

traumatic amnesia Amnesia caused by brain damage following a hit to the head, usually resulting in loss of conscious or even a coma.

At first glance, this almost seems applicable. Terra was knocked unconscious for some time after the incident. However, she didn't seem to experience a blow to the head -- unless the Slave Crown exploded and impacted her head, which doesn't seem to be the case. Likely the psychological, rather than physical, shock of the sudden removal of the Slave Crown had an effect on her memory. Terra's one tough cookie, after all.

retrograde amnesia A person with this type finds it difficult to access memories prior to the event.

In contrast with anterograde amnesia, this type fits Terra perfectly. Terra struggles with trying to remember anything prior to her being freed from the Slave Crown, and can only seem to remember her name and the fact she can use magic.

infantile amnesia The case where a person can't recall childhood memories.

Although it's true Terra can't recall her childhood memories, she's also unable to recall any other memories prior to the incident. Further, she does begin to recall some childhood memories when her father reaches out to her.

hysterical amnesia Amnesia caused by a traumatic psychological event.

Terra has had a case of this type of amnesia: her very temporary confusion and loss of memory after being forcibly transformed into her esper form.

conclusion

Terra has, in fact, suffered through at least two types of amnesia, on at least two occasions. For the lesser part of the game, retrograde amnesia gives her a tough time, and after unexpectedly becoming her esper self, hysterical amnesia grips her for a time. Terra recovers her memories in the first case after coming into contact with the Magicite that was once Maduin, her father. Images of her past spring into her mind, and she begins to remember her life in the world of the espers, including what happened to her and her parents, and how the empire took over her life. In the second case, Terra rests and calms down and eventually makes peace with the newly found part of herself, healing her of her short incursion with that type of amnesia.

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