Writing a Traumatized Character

Ok, so this may be a bit of a touchy subject, but this is something that should be done right so Imma write about it. Keep in mind that having characters with trauma, or becoming traumatized in your story does add to diversity, and not only that, it makes it a little more realistic.





Most of this post is probably me questioning you about your character like usual when I write things like this. This post will also include ways your character can get healed from their trauma, so keep in mind that healing does add to your story as well. Ths post will not include, however, PTSD, that will be for a later post, but if you find something in here that applies to it, be my guest and utilize the information. I simply feel like PTSD needs its own post. 





Ok, now onto the actual part of the post, which needs to happen. let's go over the fact that there are things that can trigger people with trauma. What triggers your character? If they have a fear of water, does just the idea of swimming scare them, make them nervous, or send them into a panic attack? If they have a fear of fire, does even candles scare them? If they've been physically abused, does someone play fighting with someone else cause them to cry or get angry?







What triggers them?







Next off, trauma goes into their backstory, so let's get into those questions...



 how were they traumatized? 

Why? 

How did they handle it then vs. how are they handling it now? 

Did they ever receive help? 

Are they going to get help if not? 

Are they too scared or prideful to obtain help? 







These are the types of questions you need to be asking yourself about your character. Remember, as I said previously, your character getting healing or relief from their trauma is very appreciated by the reader unless you're going for giving that character a bad ending. 




Here's a list of symptoms I've found that also come with trauma, which should be kept in mind when you write about the character (not all of these have to apply to your character, a few, or even one, work). 






Depression
Irritability
Loss of interest
Decreased Concentration
Numbing
Insomnia
Emotional Overwhelm
The feeling of Shame and Worthlessness 
Hopelessness of anything, especially the future
Little to no memories
Mistrust to a very high degree
Flashbacks and Nightmares of their trauma
Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Chronic Pain 
Headaches
Eating Disorders or other abuse of substances
The Feeling of being unreal
Self-destructive
A lot of the question 'Who Am I?' 


found these on Pinterest, I don't hold claim over anything...





Now, as for your character's healing/dealing with the problem/ taking it out on something else. This is a subject that really needs to have relation to your plot and their entire story. 




Here are some questions about their healing/taking it out on something else/ dealing with the problem:




Are they Healing/Taking it out on something else/dealing with the problem with a hobby?

Did they get help? Is it working? 

Have they tried in the past to recieve help? Did it work?

Are they consuming themselves with work to get their mind off of it?

Do they like to be with people to get their mind off of it? 

When they go into breakdown, do they have a plan?

Do they get into fights?

How exactly are they handling it?





So, let's go over a few things, in case the questions I've asked haven't been enough. For their healing/etc., they could do things to keep their minds off of it. They could become obsessive with that or not, and their past could be their drive in the story. Remember, their healing can come with the progression of the story, and it needs to advance the plot in their own story as well as the entire plot line.




Healing with a therapist is another thing too. You always run into the question on whether or not they openly talk about going to therapy or keep it secret. Therapy is a very slow process, and it sometimes doesn't work out and the character may need to find other ways to deal with trauma.






HOPE THIS HELPED :3




~Rey Brooks




(NOTE: IT'S ALSO VERY CUTE WHEN OTHER CHARACTERS CONCIDER THE TRAUMATIZED CHARACTER'S TRIGGERS WHEN THE STORY PROGRESSES)

(NOTE NOTE: IT ALSO SHOWS A LOT OF TRUST WHEN A TRAUMATIZED CHARACTER REVEALS THEIR TRAUMA TO SOMEONE ELSE)

(NOTE NOTE NOTE: YOU CAN MAKE YOUR READERS DESPISE A CHARACTER FOR IGNORING AND TEASING ABOUT YOUR TRAUMATIZED CHARACTER'S TRAMA)