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Character & Roleplay Tutorials / Writing a character with mental illness - tips and tricks
« on: July 15, 2018, 07:13:48 pm »I was unsure of where to post this, but this'll be helpful I hope.
DISCLAIMER: I am no professional, and as such I will ONLY be listing ones I'm familiar with, if anyone would like to add on its fine to do so, and feel free to correct me. anyway, moving on.
--
Mental illness is interesting to write into a character, but it is also really difficult to pull it off effectively without getting a few odd looks from others. Here's my tips and tricks to avoid awkward moments both in and out of character.
-
- Show don't tell
This is a rule in a lot of types of writing, but more so helpful here. It's executed in a better way when its shown through a few actions the characters do. If they lash out, don't outright explain it as "he did this because of his PTSD", make it subtle. make them a ticking time bomb, and don't over do it.
- Be respectful.
This is a no brainer, mental illness is really serious, and shouldn't be a joke at any given point. If you're roleplaying a character with any mental illness, it is not correct to say they're "crazy" or "insane", or a "nutjob." not only can it offend others who may actually suffer with any form of mental ailment, it can also ruin your chances of getting anywhere in an rp. don't do that. its not cute.
- Censor triggering topics when asked by an rp partner
This is a must in every situation. If a character is going through an episode and is supposed to end up harming themselves and your partner says they'd rather skip it, then please do. it can hinder the roleplay and almost tarnish the bond you two have.
- Do your research.
Again, a no brainer. A lot of mistakes I see people do is to go balls to the walls with it, make them want to kill people straight off if they have anti-social personality disorder, or make their character constantly be in a state of depression. its important to read up on a mental illness before picking it up.
- They're allowed to recover.
Not every rp or story has to have a bad ending when it comes to this. Make them recover from their issues, make them be happier and able to trust others better. Make them smile once in a while and have them have episodes of euphoria! Recovery is a great and emotional story line to write and will hook the readers!
- Relapsing does happen
Its also okay to have them relapse DURING recovery, but don't over do it.
- Don't make it the main plot point
A story that's entirely centered on a mental illness is only good when its written correctly, but without that its just not as good. make it part of a character, not the whole story.
- Don't over do it
Don't make it over dramatic and by god don't make them use it as an excuse for what they do. Unless the character is the kind of person to use that excuse, its a good idea to steer clear of it. Don't make a depressed character constantly end up to the point of a breakdown. Make it fluctuate, depression is something that comes and goes, and it varies on levels.
- DO. YOUR. RESEARCH.
RESEARCH IS NEEDED!
So many characters with mental illnesses are written poorly and used as jokes in stories, and its really important to take into account the issues and try not to glorify something that alters peoples lives every day.
- Last of all, have fun with it and learn from it
Writing it is difficult, yes. but you also learn a lot about yourself and your character when writing it, and its important that you enjoy writing it, otherwise it wouldn't be as nice to read.
Feel free to add to this, and correct me if I'm wrong at some point, happy writing
DISCLAIMER: I am no professional, and as such I will ONLY be listing ones I'm familiar with, if anyone would like to add on its fine to do so, and feel free to correct me. anyway, moving on.
--
Mental illness is interesting to write into a character, but it is also really difficult to pull it off effectively without getting a few odd looks from others. Here's my tips and tricks to avoid awkward moments both in and out of character.
-
- Show don't tell
This is a rule in a lot of types of writing, but more so helpful here. It's executed in a better way when its shown through a few actions the characters do. If they lash out, don't outright explain it as "he did this because of his PTSD", make it subtle. make them a ticking time bomb, and don't over do it.
- Be respectful.
This is a no brainer, mental illness is really serious, and shouldn't be a joke at any given point. If you're roleplaying a character with any mental illness, it is not correct to say they're "crazy" or "insane", or a "nutjob." not only can it offend others who may actually suffer with any form of mental ailment, it can also ruin your chances of getting anywhere in an rp. don't do that. its not cute.
- Censor triggering topics when asked by an rp partner
This is a must in every situation. If a character is going through an episode and is supposed to end up harming themselves and your partner says they'd rather skip it, then please do. it can hinder the roleplay and almost tarnish the bond you two have.
- Do your research.
Again, a no brainer. A lot of mistakes I see people do is to go balls to the walls with it, make them want to kill people straight off if they have anti-social personality disorder, or make their character constantly be in a state of depression. its important to read up on a mental illness before picking it up.
- They're allowed to recover.
Not every rp or story has to have a bad ending when it comes to this. Make them recover from their issues, make them be happier and able to trust others better. Make them smile once in a while and have them have episodes of euphoria! Recovery is a great and emotional story line to write and will hook the readers!
- Relapsing does happen
Its also okay to have them relapse DURING recovery, but don't over do it.
- Don't make it the main plot point
A story that's entirely centered on a mental illness is only good when its written correctly, but without that its just not as good. make it part of a character, not the whole story.
- Don't over do it
Don't make it over dramatic and by god don't make them use it as an excuse for what they do. Unless the character is the kind of person to use that excuse, its a good idea to steer clear of it. Don't make a depressed character constantly end up to the point of a breakdown. Make it fluctuate, depression is something that comes and goes, and it varies on levels.
- DO. YOUR. RESEARCH.
RESEARCH IS NEEDED!
So many characters with mental illnesses are written poorly and used as jokes in stories, and its really important to take into account the issues and try not to glorify something that alters peoples lives every day.
- Last of all, have fun with it and learn from it
Writing it is difficult, yes. but you also learn a lot about yourself and your character when writing it, and its important that you enjoy writing it, otherwise it wouldn't be as nice to read.
Feel free to add to this, and correct me if I'm wrong at some point, happy writing
)
So.