100+ Nervous Character Traits

To engage your reader, it's important to always show, not tell, the traits of your characters.

The character trait nervous refers to a state of being easily agitated, anxious, and tense. A nervous character may be prone to worry, overthinking, and experiencing physical symptoms like sweating, shaking, or a racing heart. They may also have difficulty focusing and making decisions.

This trait can be portrayed in a variety of ways, from subtle fidgeting and avoidance behaviors to more extreme reactions, like panic attacks or breakdowns. Overall, a nervous character can add depth and complexity to a story by highlighting the challenges and vulnerabilities of being human.

Possible Causes of Being Nervous

You might want to weave these into your character's backstory to build a more believable character:

• Genetics or family history of anxiety disorders

• Chemical imbalances in the brain

• Trauma or stressful life events (such as abuse, neglect, or a major life change)

• Chronic stress or exposure to high-pressure situations

• Environmental factors such as living in a high-crime area or experiencing social isolation

• Personality traits such as perfectionism or high sensitivity

Attitudes Associated With Nervousness

You may be able to show being nervous through their attitudes:

• Apprehensive

• Insecure

• Jittery

• Uneasy

• Tense

• Self-conscious

• Panicky

• Shaky

• Stressed

• Fidgety

• Timid

• Worried

• Fearful

• Anxious

Thoughts and Struggles Linked With Being Nervous

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

• Difficulty speaking up or asserting themselves

• Constantly worrying about what others think of them

• Fear of failure and making mistakes

• Overthinking and second-guessing their own actions

• Avoiding social situations or feeling uncomfortable in them

• Physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, or trembling in stressful situations

• Feeling self-conscious and insecure

• Struggling with anxiety and panic attacks

• Difficulty making decisions and feeling indecisive

Emotions Related to Being Nervous

Here are some ideas for emotions your nervous character may experience:

• Unease

• Anxiety

• Apprehension

• Tension

• Fear

• Paranoia

• Panic

• Jitteriness

• Insecurity

Facial Expressions Associated With Being Nervous

Here are some facial expressions your nervous character may exhibit:

• A furrowed brow or forehead wrinkles

• Avoiding eye contact or darting eyes

• Tightened jaw or lips pressed together

• Pursed lips or biting of the lips

• Uneven or rapid breathing

• Shaking or trembling of the hands or body

• Narrowed eyes or squinting

• Forced or unnatural smiling

• Fidgeting or tapping of the feet or hands

Body Language Related to Being Nervous

Here is some body language your nervous character may exhibit:

• Fidgeting with hands or feet

• Rapid breathing or shallow breaths

• Biting nails or lips

• Pacing or shuffling feet

• Restlessness or inability to sit still

• Sweating or shaking

• Clenched fists or jaw

• Avoiding eye contact

• Tapping fingers or feet

Behaviors Associated With Being Nervous

Here are some behaviors your nervous character may exhibit.

• Feeling shaky or unsteady

• Avoiding eye contact or looking down

• Feeling tense or on edge

• Overthinking or overanalyzing situations

• Rapid heartbeat or breathing

• Seeking reassurance or validation from others

• Stuttering or stumbling over words

• Sweating or feeling hot

• Fidgeting or tapping your foot or fingers

Growth and Evolution of Nervous Characters

Here are some ways that your nervous character may grow and evolve over time:

• Learning to communicate assertively and express their needs

• Learning to trust others and rely on their support

• Gaining confidence through small successes

• Developing a stronger sense of self-awareness and emotional intelligence

• Overcoming their fears and facing challenges head-on

• Developing coping mechanisms to manage their anxiety

• Challenging their negative self-talk and beliefs

• Recognizing their own strengths and using them to their advantage

• Learning to take risks and step out of their comfort zone

Stereotypes of Nervous Characters to Avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical nervous characters like these examples:

• Avoid using nervousness as a punch line or a source of humor.

• Avoid stereotyping nervous characters as shy or introverted.

• Avoid portraying nervousness as a negative trait that needs to be overcome or eliminated.

• Avoid making nervous characters overly apologetic or self-deprecating.

• Avoid portraying nervous characters as weak or helpless.

• Avoid making nervousness the only defining trait of a character.

Negatives of Being Nervous

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

• Difficulty in making decisions

• Physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, and increased heart rate

• Fear of failure

• Constant worrying

• Difficulty in social situations

• Hindrance to personal and professional growth

• Negative impact on mental health and well-being

• Inability to relax or unwind

• Tendency to avoid challenging situations

Positives of Being Nervous

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

• Empathy: Nervous individuals are often more in tune with the emotions of others, leading to a greater capacity for empathy and understanding.

• Preparedness: Nervous individuals tend to be planners, thinking through potential scenarios and preparing accordingly.

• Heightened awareness: Nervous people tend to be more attentive to their surroundings, which can help them notice details others might miss.

• Diligence: People who experience nervousness tend to be meticulous and detail oriented, as they are constantly monitoring themselves and their environment.

Common Actions of Nervous Characters

Here are some common actions of nervous characters:

• Apologizing excessively or unnecessarily

• Pacing or restlessness

• Avoiding eye contact

• Repetitive or fidgety movements

• Talking too quickly or too slowly

• Overthinking or second-guessing oneself

• Speaking in a shaky or quivering voice

• Stuttering or stumbling over words

Relationships of Nervous Characters

Here are some ways that being nervous could affect your character's relationships:

• Nervous people may struggle with assertiveness, leading to passive or submissive behavior in relationships.

• They may be prone to overthinking and second-guessing themselves, leading to indecisiveness and difficulty making decisions.

• In relationships, nervous people may be overly accommodating or eager to please, leading to a lack of boundaries and potential resentment.

• They may seek reassurance or validation from others, potentially leading to clingy or needy behavior.

• Nervous people may struggle with trust, leading to suspicion or jealousy in relationships.

• They may be hypersensitive to criticism or rejection, leading to defensiveness or avoidance of conflict.

Examples From Books of Characters Who Are Nervous

• Christopher John Francis Boone from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

• Greg Gaines from Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

• Charlie from The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

• Eleanor from Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

• Oskar Schell from Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

• Caddy Compson from The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

• Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

• Don Tillman from The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Writing Exercises for Writing Nervous Characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write nervous characters:

• Start by brainstorming situations in which your character might feel nervous. These could be everyday scenarios (such as public speaking or going on a first date) or more extreme circumstances (like being held at gunpoint or facing a life-threatening illness).

• Experiment with different approaches to dialogue. For instance, you might have your character speak in short, clipped sentences when they're nervous or have them ramble on incoherently. You might also have them struggle to find the right words or repeat themselves.

• Consider how your character physically reacts to stress and anxiety. Do they sweat profusely, tremble, or have difficulty breathing? Do they bite their nails, fidget with their hands, or pace back and forth? Use these details to show the reader how your character is feeling.

• Think about your character's thoughts and internal dialogue. Are they worrying about what others think of them? Are they second-guessing themselves or obsessing over worst-case scenarios? Use these thoughts to give readers insight into your character's mindset.

• Consider using sensory details to create a vivid picture of your character's surroundings. For example, you might describe the way a character's palms sweat when they're holding a cold glass, or the sound of their heartbeat pounding in their ears.