Character Trait: Distraught

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "Distraught" refers to a state of deep sorrow, anxiety, or worry that often makes a person feel confused and unable to focus on anything else. A distraught character may be overwhelmed by intense emotions, such as grief, fear, or frustration, which can affect their behavior and decision-making. A distraught character may exhibit physical symptoms of distress, such as crying, shaking, or hyperventilating, and may struggle to cope with the challenges they are facing. In fiction, this trait can add depth to a character and create tension in the story.

Possible causes of being distraught

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• Relationship or family issues
• Mental health conditions such as depression or bipolar disorder
• History of traumatic experiences or events
• Substance abuse or addiction
• Physical illness or chronic pain
• Poor coping skills or lack of emotional regulation
• Chronic stress or anxiety
• Personal or professional setbacks, such as job loss or divorce

Behaviors associated with being distraught

You may be able to show your character's trait of distraught by using these.

• Engaging in self-harm or destructive behavior
• Heavy breathing or hyperventilating
• Crying or tearing up
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Pacing or restlessness
• Shaking or trembling
• Avoiding social interaction or isolating oneself
• Expressing feelings of hopelessness or despair
• Clenching fists or teeth

Attitudes associated with being distraught

You may be able to show distraught through their attitudes.

• Regret
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Overwhelm
• Fear
• Anguish
• Panic
• Grief
• Despair

Thoughts and struggles associated with being distraught

Here are some ideas for things your distraught character may think or struggle with.

• Avoiding social interactions or withdrawing from others
• Experiencing feelings of guilt or shame
• Constantly replaying past events and mistakes
• Questioning one's own worth and value
• Overwhelming sense of sadness and despair
• Feeling lost and uncertain about the future
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Struggling to find meaning or purpose in life
• Difficulty sleeping or eating properly

Emotions associated with being distraught

Here are some ideas for emotions your distraught character may experience.

• Tearful
• Desperate
• Frustrated
• Broken-hearted
• Lost
• Anxious
• Hopeless
• Numb
• Confused
• Disoriented
• Panicked
• Overwhelmed
• Fearful
• Helpless

Facial expressions associated with being distraught

Here are some facial expressions your distraught character may exhibit.

• Biting nails
• Furrowed brows
• Heavy breathing or hyperventilating
• Wrinkled forehead
• Tearful eyes
• Rubbing temples
• Deep sighs
• Shaking or trembling
• Pursed lips
• Avoiding eye contact
• Clenched jaw

Body language associated with being distraught

Here is some body language your distraught character may exhibit.

• Avoiding eye contact
• Heavy breathing or panting
• Pacing or fidgeting
• Rubbing or covering the face
• Biting nails or lips
• Wrinkled forehead or furrowed brows
• Clenched fists
• Shaking or trembling
• Crying or tearing up

Behaviors associated with being distraught

Here are some behaviors your distraught character may exhibit.

• Shaking or trembling
• Avoiding social interaction or isolating oneself
• Clenching fists or teeth
• Expressing feelings of hopelessness or despair
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Pacing or restlessness
• Engaging in self-harm or destructive behavior
• Heavy breathing or hyperventilating
• Crying or tearing up

Growth and evolution of distraught characters

Here are some ways that your distraught character may grow and evolve over time.

• Learn to forgive themselves and others for past mistakes or wrongdoings.
• Learn to trust and rely on others for support and help.
• Develop resilience and coping mechanisms to deal with their distress.
• Form stronger bonds with loved ones and deepen existing relationships.
• Discover inner strength and courage they didn't know they had.
• Become more empathetic and compassionate towards others who are also struggling.
• Find new meaning and purpose in life, or rediscover old passions.
• Confront and overcome their fears and insecurities.
• Gain a deeper understanding of their emotions and how to manage them.

Stereotypes of distraught characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical distraught character like these examples.

• Avoid portraying the Distraught character as weak or helpless, as this can perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
• Avoid portraying the Distraught character as solely defined by their relationships with others, as they are complex individuals with their own inner struggles and motivations.
• Avoid making the Distraught character one-dimensional or solely defined by their distress.
• Avoid making the Distraught character overly dramatic or melodramatic, as this can come across as unrealistic or insincere.
• Avoid using the Distraught character's distress as a plot device or means to advance the story without proper development or exploration of their emotions and experiences.

Negatives of being distraught

Here are some potential negatives of being distraught. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Tendency to isolate oneself from others
• Easily overwhelmed by emotions and feelings
• Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue
• Struggles to make decisions and can become indecisive
• Self-destructive behaviors such as substance abuse or self-harm
• Heightened sensitivity to criticism or rejection
• Difficulty focusing on tasks and responsibilities
• Impaired judgment and decision-making skills
• Increased anxiety and stress levels

Positives of being distraught

Here are some potential positives of being distraught. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Heightened emotional awareness
• Greater depth and complexity in character
• Opportunity for dramatic or intense scenes in storytelling
• Potential for character growth and development
• Increased empathy for others
• Can create compelling conflicts and tensions in relationships

Verbal expressions of distraught characters

Here are some potential expressions used by distraught characters.

• "I'm at my wit's end!"
• "This is too much to handle!"
• "I can't catch a break!"
• "I can't think straight!"
• "Everything is falling apart!"
• "I can't keep it together!"
• "I don't know what to do!"
• "Why is this happening to me?"
• "I feel so overwhelmed!"

Relationships of distraught characters

Here are some ways that being distraught could affect your character's relationships.

• Being irritable: Distraught individuals may be easily triggered and become irritable with those around them, even if it's not their intention.
• Seeking comfort: On the other hand, distraught people may seek comfort and support from others, relying on them to feel better.
• Pushing people away: Distraught people may feel overwhelmed and isolate themselves from others, pushing away their loved ones or friends.
• Feeling misunderstood: Distraught people may feel like others don't understand what they're going through, leading to a sense of isolation and loneliness.
• Being overly dependent: In some cases, distraught people may become overly dependent on others for their emotional needs, which can put a strain on their relationships.

Examples from books of characters who are distraught

• Pip from "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
• Hamlet from "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare
• Gollum from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Harry Potter from "Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix" by J.K. Rowling
• Esther Greenwood from "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Anna Karenina from "Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy
• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
• Raskolnikov from "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Writing exercises for writing distraught characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write distraught characters.

• Explore how the character's cultural background or upbringing affects their ability to cope with distress.
• Write a scene where the character seeks comfort from a loved one or friend.
• Write a scene where the character receives devastating news and must react to it in a public setting.
• Create a backstory for the character that explains why they are prone to becoming distraught in certain situations.
• Create a character who is the opposite of the distraught character and explore their dynamic in a high-stress situation.
• Write a scene where the character's distraught behavior leads to negative consequences for themselves or others.
• Write a monologue from the character's point of view where they express their inner turmoil and fears.
• Explore the physical manifestations of the character's distress, such as trembling hands or difficulty breathing.
• Write a scene where the character tries to hide their distress from others but ultimately breaks down.