EMOTIONAL WOUND THESAURUS

A PHYSICAL DISFIGUREMENT



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HELPFUL TIP:

Emotional wounds will steer a character's behavior, corrupt his worldview, and cause negative traits to form. To understand exactly how this occurs, please read our tutorial for the Wound Thesaurus.

NOTE: We realize that sometimes a wound we profile may have personal meaning, stirring up the past for some of our readers. It is not our intent to create emotional turmoil. Please know that we research each wounding topic carefully to treat it with the utmost respect.
EXAMPLES:
Being burned by a fire or chemicals
Bearing visible scars (from knife wounds, a gunshot, an animal attack, a car accident, surgery, etc.)
Missing a body part, such as an eye, ear, nose, or finger
Having malformed limbs
Bearing a visible and disfiguring birthmark
Having a cleft lip
Bearing large goiters or tumors
Having severe skin ailments like psoriasis, acne, discoloration, pigment loss, keloids, or warts
Having out-of-proportion body parts (elephantiasis, legs that are different lengths, etc.)
Body parts becoming flaccid or paralyzed following a stroke
Having a disfigurement due to a botched plastic surgery procedure

WOUND CATEGORY:
Disabilities and Disfigurements

BASIC NEEDS OFTEN COMPROMISED BY THIS WOUND:
physiological needs, safety and security, love and belonging, esteem and recognition, self-actualization

LIES THAT MAY DEVELOP FOR CHARACTERS WITH THIS WOUND:
No one will ever love someone like them
People are always staring at their disfigurement
The disfigurement is a form of punishment
They're not worthy of love
Most people aren't going to give them a chance, so they can't let go of the ones who do
It's better to be treated badly by someone who cares than to have no one at all
Anyone trying to connect with them must have an ulterior motive
People are cruel so it's better to stay away from them
No one could understand what they're going through
They'll never be able to fulfill their dreams
They're inferior to "normal" people

THE CHARACTER MAY FEAR:
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POSSIBLE RESPONSES AND RESULTS:
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POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES THAT MAY RESULT:
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NEGATIVE TRAITS THAT MAY RESULT:
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TRIGGERS THAT MIGHT AGGRAVATE THIS WOUND:
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STEPS TOWARD HEALING:
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OPPORTUNITIES TO FACE OR OVERCOME THIS WOUND:
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