How Your Character Responds to Trauma: The Six âFâs
Youâve seen it before. Maybe someone fell in the hallway, or maybe somone choked at the dinner table. In any scenario, youâve likely seen a number of reactions.
People respond to trauma (stressful events) in different ways, and fictional people are no different. Some take charge while others stand back and watch. These reactions are a big part of any character, and will undoubtedly affect how the plot plays out.
Iâm sure that youâve heard of âfight or flightâ. While they are indeed two types of reactions, there are an additional four that many people are unaware of. The following is a list of the six responses to trauma, including the two already mentioned.
The character decides to face the problem or enemy head-on, directly challenging them with the intent to win the fight and escape with their freedom and/or life. The character is defensive and prone to losing their temper.
The character runs away and/or hides and avoids the problem. They believe seeking escape is much easier than facing the issue directly, and that it decreases the chance of facing harm. The character is anxious and afraid of conflict.
The character does nothing. They cannot bring themselves to take any sort of action. In situations of abuse, they will crumble and may take part in distractions so that they do not have to acknowledge the issue, such as drinking. The character is detached and passive.
The character concedes and does as their enemy or the problem forces them to do. In cases of abuse, they will mold themselves into the person their abuser wants them to be, which is usually obedient, and/or complicit. Theyâve betrayed themselves. The character is exploited and prone to deflection.
(Note: This is not empathy, which is found in FRIEND).
The character begins to sympathize with their enemy. They bond with their captors and abusers (and have likely been gaslighted), developing Stockholm Syndrome. The character is social and empathetic.
The character has no memory of the traumatic event. However, the memory of the threat still exists, and it will show itself as an âirrational fearâ. The memories may resurface in dreams or due to other traumatic events. The character is wary and they donât know why.
Note, the summarizations I made at the end of each section are not absolute. Sometimes the way someone responds to trauma is completely unexpected considering their personality. But it is still a big part of who they are and how they handle things.Â
I hope some of you folks find this useful, although it isnât all that special. Thanks for reading!
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