Character who goes insane

Discussion in 'Character Development' started by ktgrace, Jan 19, 2013.

Tags:
  1. jazzabel

    jazzabel Agent Provocateur Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2012
    Messages:
    4,255
    Likes Received:
    1,688
    I'm sorry, I assumed that since you were on writer's forum, discussing a writing topic, that you would be a writer :confused:
     
  2. Keremcan Tarhan

    Keremcan Tarhan New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2013
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Samsun, Turkey
    It's okay. I'm at the last year of high school so it's a bit early for me to try my chance but I certainly have an interest in writing. I was just browsing the forum, then I stumbled across this thread which draw my attention.
     
  3. Alan Lincoln

    Alan Lincoln Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2009
    Messages:
    238
    Likes Received:
    13
    Location:
    UK
    I'm not an expert but Im a prison officer and I meet many individuals with every form of mental illness you can imagine on a day to day basis. As a writer I find my job useful (as much as I hate it) in obtaining research for when I want to write certain characters. But it doesn't mean they are bad because of those disorders (just incase i offend anyone haha). There are so many types of diorders and illnesses i very much doubt that I could list them all. I gain alot of information from the nurses and doctors that I have to escort into cells when they have to see a prisoner, for protection. Early in my career and just before I was to go home and finish for the day a man (who I cant name) who greases his hair back and a moustache giving him the resemblance of a greasy Hitler had opened up both arms, one side of his neck and was busy working on the other with two razord blades taped together before passing out from the pain.

    Blood everywhere. Ceiling. Floor. Walls. You name it. He did it, apparently, because a lady called 'Christine' started talking to him in his head. She wont leave him alone. Who that is I'll never know. But being my first incident, many moons ago, it was a stepping stone into learning about these people who commit horrific, monsterous acts and the wiring in their heads that is just plugged in wrong. I'll never understand them. You can't and I wouldn't want to. But as a writer it does make my curiosity tick and even now after so much experience I don't think it's possible to fully understand. But it is possible to learn. I have a two friends one of whom is Schizophrenic and the other suffers from PTSD. My friend with Schizophrenia has told me on numerous occasions where she has been tagged as a 'nut case' or a 'psychopath' simply for being diagnosed with it and goes without saying that it is wrong. Schizophrenics I meet in work though would cheerfully pull a child appart and tell you about it. There is a man on my unit who served in the armed forces, suffers with PTSD and committed violent rapes. But my friend who suffers from PTSD is nowhere remotely close to being like that prisoner. It is a very complicated issue and people should read up and learn more about certain issues such as these.
     
  4. SuperVenom

    SuperVenom Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2010
    Messages:
    475
    Likes Received:
    71
    Location:
    South Wales
    Madness of King George?
     
  5. pashley

    pashley New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2013
    Messages:
    10
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Northern Virginia, USA
    I am a full-time mental health therapist in a community mental health setting. I see the poorest and most disenfranchised members of society. I have also worked in psychiatric hospitals and have seen a very wide range of disorders. For the record "insanity" is a legal term. It means that a person, as a result of mental illness, has become so impaired that they have no concept of right and wrong. It's actually a very high standard to meet. What the OP sounds like he is describing is a psychotic break. Many times it starts out slowly. A little paranoia that starts to build. The beginning of delusional thoughts that may or may not grow into a very intricate network of beliefs. Auditory/visual hallucinations are not always necessarily present. These are called positive symptoms (positive not meaning good, but meaning present). Negative symptoms (meaning they are absent) might include withdrawing socially, starting to neglect responsibilities at home, work, etc, or even going so far as to neglect personal care (eating, bathing, etc). I'd recommend looking at a copy of the DSM IV as a general guideline and to have a clear understanding of where you might want to go with your character. Oh, and keep in mind that people with mental illness are far more likely to harm themselves instead of someone else.

    That said, barring any horrible cliches in the writing, as long as you keep relatively close to the reality of mental illness there is no reason to not take some artistic license.
     
  6. Rebel Yellow

    Rebel Yellow Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2012
    Messages:
    282
    Likes Received:
    10
    Location:
    Quebec
    As others have stated before, you should definitely do some serious research on the matter. Looking at some Wikipedia pages will not cut it, and I suggest you at least get a copy of the DSM IV.
     
  7. ChickenFreak

    ChickenFreak Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2010
    Messages:
    15,262
    Likes Received:
    13,084
    You seem to be saying that there are mental disorders that aren't caused by mental disorders. Are you distinguishing between mental disorders that have a direct physical cause, like brain damage or a chemical imbalance, and those that don't have a direct physical cause?
     
  8. jazzabel

    jazzabel Agent Provocateur Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2012
    Messages:
    4,255
    Likes Received:
    1,688
    He is just a high school kid, it's quite clear that he doesn't have any working knowledge of this topic. It is a bit annoying that he is arguing about something he knows almost nothing about, though.
     
  9. tinylittlepixie

    tinylittlepixie New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2013
    Messages:
    29
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Edinburgh, Scotland
    Agree. I think the scope for it being a gradual descent is less and it's probably more about acts might be progressively more indicative. Perhaps exploring the angle of him being less and less able to hide or control his illness might be better.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice