NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

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HELPFUL TIP:

Characters with this flaw will be extra sensitive to certain emotions, so think about how events in your story might specifically trigger these feelings to generate compelling tension and conflict. Another idea is to give a supporting character a positive attribute that is an opposite of this flaw, which will get under the skin of both characters and cause friction in their relationship.
DEFINITION:
Detached from others, having retreated inside oneself

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Aloof, detached, standoffish, unsociable

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Being a highly private person
A mental disorder (bulimia, depression, social anxiety disorders, phobias, etc.)
Low self-esteem
Shyness
Past or present abuse
Autism
High intelligence
Alcoholism or drug addiction
Chronic pain or a long-term illness
The inability to move past a traumatic event (a death, divorce, etc.)
Trust issues
Guilt or shame
A fear of being hurt or rejected by others

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Avoiding people and social activities
Needing few friends; being highly independent
Living on the fringes (not joining clubs at school, not having people over for dinner, etc.)
Focusing on work or projects
Entering into new relationships with hesitancy and trepidation
Having a string of short-term jobs
Taking solitary jobs that don't require face-to-face interaction with others
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ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS:
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ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:
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POSITIVE ASPECTS:
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NEGATIVE ASPECTS:
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EXAMPLE FROM FILM:
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OVERCOMING THIS TRAIT AS A MAJOR FLAW:
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TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:
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