Conveying PTSD

So you've taken the difficult and controversial path of conveying a mental disorder in writing hmm? Well that's okay. So long as you're not deliberately offensive, you've got a reasonable sized buffer for mistake. Take your time and accept criticism when you get it, cause chances are you will.

When roleplaying PTSD you've got two things you need to keep in mind. That's what your character was like before the traumatic experience, and then what they were like after.

Before: Your character, could have been a very charismatic girl/guy. They might have been shy? Constantly very anxious? Don't for the love of god use the word normal when describing how your character was before the event.

After: How are you going to show the changes that have happened to your character? For this particular condition, the effects are pretty prominent. Nightmares or night terrors. Anxiety. Here's a more in-depth list of possible effects:

• Flashbacks.
• Nightmares.
• Repetitive distressing images or feelings.
• Physical feelings like pain, sweating, nausea, trembling.
• Constant negative thoughts about the experience.
• Avoidance and emotional numbing.
• Doing their best to avoid being reminded of their experience.
• Pushing memories of an event out of their mind.
• Avoiding certain people or places.
• Avoiding talking to anyone about the experience.
• Avoiding conflict or fights.
• Hyperarousal.
• Irritable.
• Angry.
• Insomnia.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Other mental health issues...
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Phobias
• Self harming  (If you are roleplaying this, roleplay it in private and with extreme caution.)
• Destructive behaviour
• Antisocial behaviour
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Chest pains
• Stomach aches
• Extreme cases
• Shame and guilt.
• Difficulty controlling emotions.
• Period of losing attention.
• Headaches dizziness, chest pains, stomach aches.
• Detachment from friends and family.
• Relationship difficulties.
• Destructive or risky behaviour.
• Self harm. (If you are roleplaying this, roleplay it in private and with extreme caution.)
• Alcohol misuse.
• Drug abuse.
• Suicidal thoughts. (If you are roleplaying this, roleplay it in private and with extreme caution.)

These are some things that you should definitely have your character experience. Pick and choose, but don't just say your character has PTSD and then have them act completely fine. It's an insult to those that actually suffer, claiming they could simply brush off the effects such traumatic events have had on them on a whim.

So there's just one important thing remaining to consider. What even caused the PTSD? Are you just saying it so your character stands out? If so, I really forbid you from using it. Snowflakes are a bad character design, and using mental illness as a snowflake design is a pretty twisted thing to do. However, if you are roleplaying the PTSD because your character really would have experienced horrible tragic things, and if you are prepared to go ahead and roleplay it with caution /and/ compassion towards others feelings, then go right ahead. Here are some potential events that could cause a character to have post traumatic stress disorder.

• Serious accidents.
• Violent personal assaults.
• Sexual assault.
• Muggings, robbery's.
• Sexual abuse, prolonged violence, severe neglect.
• Witnessing violent deaths.
• Military combat.
• Hostage situations.
• Terrorist attacks.
• Natural disasters.
• Diagnosis' of life threatening illnesses.
• Unexpected injury/death of someone close.

These situations on their own can cause it, but often other stimuli are needed also. Past depression? Past anxiety? If your character doesn't receive support from people close to them, or have many relationships with people. It could be a survival mechanism, intended to help them survive further trauma. Perhaps the character has abnormal levels of stress hormones such as adrenaline. Keep all these things in mind, and above all be supportive/compassionate of peoples opinions if roleplaying this condition affects those interacting with your character.