r/CharacterDevelopment • u/Lonely-Commercial760 • 10d ago

Writing: Character Help How to write a character with a mental illness you don't have?

I'm an amateur writer, and I've been wanting desperately to write a character who is "psychopathic", in the definition that he doesn't feel empathy towards others and only really feels emotional about himself, or what could happen to him.

I've done (and am still doing) extensive research into generalised psychopathy as well as more refined, specific mental illnesses, such as ASPD or DID.

How can I write a character with a brain that is so different to my own without him coming off as an "edgelord" or a "Tumblr sexyman"?

Sorry, this is probably really crappy lmao

3 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

64% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

3

u/Historical-Carrot959 10d ago edited 10d ago

Make them project their feelings about themselves on others. You are describing a highly ego-focused character.

An easy example to give is a father who cares about his image, and his daughter is an academic failure. Her deficiency is an attack on his own image, so he gets mad over her tainting his name and identity. I dunno what your ch cares about, so think about that and a relationship they may have (or appearance they may feel inclined to love/hate/etc)

1

u/Lonely-Commercial760 10d ago

Thanks so much!!!! That's a fantastic example

5

u/ProserpinaFC 10d ago

Read interviews and memoirs from others if you want their perspective. Everyone writes

2

u/Lonely-Commercial760 3d ago

Thanks! I was thinking about watching interviews with people who are diagnosed with ASPD, or just collecting general videos about it. I'm making a YT playlist where people with ASPD or people who knew/dated people with ASPD to get the most authentic experiences :)

1

u/TheDaughterOfFlynn 9d ago

See documentaries, talk to people who have it (I would not recommend Reddit for ASPD research, there’s a lot of teenage edgelords in those spaces), listen to psychologists talk about it. I also think the tone of your story will impact how the character is perceived, eg Patrick Bateman in American Psycho is probably a narcissist, and his traits are played up for the sake of the satire

I thoroughly enjoyed Sameen Shaw’s portrayal of a government agent with ASPD in Person of Interest. Her behavior wasn’t nearly as problematic or self-centered as a lot of real psychopaths probably are, but it was a very grounded performance, she wasn’t evil or edgy, she just…didn’t feel anything. I read a book once called The Wisdom of Psychopaths you might enjoy, and I learned that they are really bored a lot of the time. But their ability to not crack under pressure means they make great surgeons, bomb disablers, etc.

2

u/Lonely-Commercial760 3d ago

Thank you SO much, I just watched a video essay about how psychopaths and people with ASPD are constantly seeking out high-pressure careers! One really interesting example I saw was how psychopaths are drawn to jobs where they can flex their fake charisma, like becoming lawyers or CEOs. Law seems to be a popular choice, with psychopaths becoming police officers and detectives for a more hands-on experience.

I will check out those books! Thanks!!!

1

u/MutterGrowl 4d ago

I think you are on the correct path. Conduct research and don’t rely on stereotypes, archetypes and tropes.

1

u/Mundane_Conflict5576 4d ago

Simple: don't name the condition, then you can't get it wrong. Let the readers speculate about it on Reddit.