FEAR THESAURUS

A LOVED ONE DYING



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HELPFUL TIP:

A deeply embedded fear often stems from trauma, so it can be helpful to explore emotional wounds that may be a factor. Your character might also become risk-averse, avoiding people and situations they associate with this fear. And for a character to achieve their story goal, they must overcome any fear-based thinking that's holding them back. The Character Builder is a great resource for pulling all these factors together.
NOTES:
At some point, everyone loses a loved one. It's an inevitable part of life. We all worry about it to a certain extent, but for some characters, the fear of someone close to them dying can take over their life. Sometimes it's rooted in the character not wanting to see their loved one suffer, but it can also be centered on uncertainty about death itself, the character's ability to cope on their own, or how their life will change with their beloved no longer in it.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE:
Being overprotective of a loved one's health
Refusing to talk about the possibility of a loved one's death (even if it's likely to happen)
Being morbidly obsessed with death or funereal trappings, such as Victorian death masks and portraits
Limiting a child's freedom and independence to keep them safe—not allowing them to drive, stay out late, or visit new places, for instance
Being obsessed with germs and sanitation
Forcing family members to take part in health crazes that promote longevity
Holding onto things as they are instead of allowing people and situations to evolve
Having panic attacks when thinking about the death of a loved one
Refusing to make contingency plans for a loved one's death (not buying life insurance or making a will, etc.)
Refusing to accept a loved one's illness or terminal diagnosis
Visiting psychics to gain insight into a loved one's well-being and future
Investing in extensive security measures to keep family members safe

COMMON INTERNAL STRUGGLES:
Obsessing about a loved one's death and what it would mean for the character
Wanting to hold on tightly to a child while also knowing they need freedom to grow
Letting anxiety and fear control decision-making
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FLAWS THAT MAY EMERGE:
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HINDRANCES AND DISRUPTIONS TO THE CHARACTER'S LIFE:
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EMOTIONAL WOUNDS IT COULD STEM FROM:
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SCENARIOS THAT MIGHT AWAKEN THIS FEAR :
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HUMAN NEEDS THAT COULD BE IMPACTED:
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GOALS MADE DIFFICULT BY THIS FEAR:
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CONFLICT SCENARIOS THAT OFFER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES:
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