So I wanted to give one of my main characters a Tragic Backstory: she lived in a verrrrrry physically abusive home (to the point of having her face cut) before being relocated to a caring adoptive family around 2nd or 3rd grade. The story takes place in 11th grade. Her trauma is clearly old and she will probably be healed for the most part by this time but I want to pepper it in that she had a rough childhood. How do I do this without being too obvious? I don't want the story to revolve around her trauma, but some of her traits will probably have come from the trauma. I also want her character to show trauma victims that they can get through whatever they're going through and to have hope for recovery. Any tips?
One idea: sometimes kids (especially teenagers) make jokes about being beaten or hurt by parents. So she could be in a group where a joke of that matter is made, then she would falter a bit.
Hi! I am diagnosed with PTSD, not from an abusive household though, but other physical and mental abuse from schoolmates.
But I can tell you about about how the trauma lingers itself into my daily life, which might help you.
A very important thing is triggers; something that makes you think of a bad situation or feeling. An example for me is blue backpacks, because it makes me think about a bad person.
It can be anything really, sounds, music, smells (for example if the bad person in your story has a strong smell of e.g. coffee).
These triggers can cause panic or anxiety attacks and return often. I didn't know that a certain music band triggered me untill i started pinpointing the triggers with my therapist, but for your story it might come in handy if you write them down beforehand.
Think big and than small; start with the most obvious trigger and then work into smaller, less obvious triggers.
An example from myself, big to small; Music band Linkin Park- blue backpacks- red jackets- PE- blades- smell of cigarettes. (just to give you an idea)
I went to a therapy group and a lot of people there had ptsd, we joked about it quite often to be honest, but not in an offensive way. You could include such things as trauma may seem lighter than it really is and the person doesn't realize how fucked up something is that happened to them.
Your character could go to therapy like EMDR for it, but that's all up to you ofcourse.
Another important thing is that a person who has ptsd/is abused easily falls into bad habits to deal with it; they're more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, fall into severe depression and could develop personality disorders like Borderline.
I still face fears and triggers everyday, even 4 years later now. Sometimes it doesn't completely go away, and a lover might help but PLEASE don't let a lover be a 'cure'. This is really annoying to read to be honest.
The trauma can impact on big scales; not wanting to leave the house, getting panic attacks when yelled at, flinching when something gets thrown etc.
I think it's really important not to create an edgy character who sulks alone and jokes about killing themselves. This is very disrespectful and again annoying.
Please stay away from steriotypes, do some reading about ptsd and maybe trauma-therapies.
All best of luck and feel free to contact if you have more questions! :)
Another 'supporting thing' you can include is the character having a lot of friends in therapy that understand and support (instead of bring each other down). Maybe have her have a cousin or something who really helps with daily things/is a great friend.
It really is like taking 1 step forward and taking 2 back.
I personally think it'd be cool if she isn't fully healed at the end of the story, but on her way there with a good circle of people around her
