forum How do I write mental illnesses into my characters?

Started January 06, 2018 by Gubs

tune

I'm trying to write my villan and she has schizophrenia. I want to make her struggles realistic.
I just don't really know where to start with that. Could I get some help?

First, consider why your villain needs to have schizophrenia, or any mental illness in general. Mental illness (or, let's face it, neurodivergence of any kind) gets added to villains a lot in media to give them "color" without thinking about how badly that paints real people who have those symptoms.

There are ways to depict schizophrenia realistically or even sympathetically - this is something you should research by finding firsthand accounts - but I would first try to write a protagonist or side character with it first.

Of course first research a lot because it is different for different people, like for example on of my close friends has schizophrenia and it messes with her mind a lot! She sees a lot of creepy things as she calls shadow people who constantly talk in her mind. Then there is another type where there are voices inside your mind that never go way they will be talking, calling you names. and distracts you from doing normal everyday things easily.

Like @Urby said, you really want to think about why you're giving your villain a mental illness first. Are any of your other characters mentally ill? Are they portrayed in a positive or negative way, if so? There are a lot of negative portrayals and stigma against the sensationalised version of schizophrenia some really pound into your head, when in reality everyone's symptoms are diverse and may not fit that very narrow category. If you still want to give your villain schizophrenia, do far more research than just the first page of google, and (preferably) also run the ideas you have by someone with familiarity with the illness.

Start with documentaries about those who struggle with mental illness. You'll notice a common run: most mentally ill people aren't violent. If you are hellbent with having a schizophrenic villain, first understand what it would be like to write a schizophrenic protagonist. That will help you better understand the illness, the struggle, and help you write a fuller character. Personally, I agree with the above comments, but if you really want to, you have to do your research.

also never forget that if your villain have a mental illness they should never just be "the schizophrenic villain" ; your character is always more than that. Yes his/her mental illness make them struggle and play an important part in his/her life but it shouldn't define him/her. Your villain have goals, dreams, he may be different but never stop developping his personality like you would do with every other character.

Schizophrenia really shouldn't be mentioned a lot, especially if it's the only point of the villain. Maybe make only one or two scenes where it is completely noticeable. Mentally ill people are not their illness, even if it effects them a lot

With a loaded topic such as mental illness, doing a lot of research is very important so it can be painted in an honest and realistic light without offending anyone.

Here's an idea I think is cool (but idk if this works with your story but just a thought). Perhaps your villain starts off reasonable, but a little off, and as the story goes on, she/he gets progressively worse because they're in denial of their illness therefore do not get treated for it. Perhaps make the illness vague in the beginning when it's beginning to form, and by the end have them obviously compromised. (I'm sorry if this isn't how schizophrenia works, please don't be mad if I'm completely wrong).

Personally I'm not schizophrenic so I can't speak for people who have it, but as someone who has struggled with mental health issues, the stigma around mental illness and it's association with villains is really bad. I'm not saying you shouldn't make this character schizophrenic; it's your character, your story. I just appreciate that you're trying to accurately portray it! There are many different types of schizophrenia, and most types do not make the person inherently violent or "evil", so I would research the different types and find which one best fits your villains actions (i.e if their actions are based on impulse, a fixation, revenge etc.) and look into the specific symptoms of that type! I hope this was helpful and thank you for caring about accurate portrayal!

I'd suggest rather than giving your villain schizophrenia, give your villain borderline personality disorder. BPD is more compelling, and probably easier to write. I also suggest watching interviews of sufferers and doing as much research as possible in the different ways it manifests in actual people. As a person with a mental illness that makes them a little crazy sometimes, don't use mental illnesses with stigma's already associated with villains as it's overdone, cliched, and just adds to the existing stigma.

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