NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

OBSESSIVE



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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:
Fixated; being subject to recurring thoughts that take over

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Neurotic

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Fear of making a mistake
Fear of failure or loss
The need to control
A mental disorder
A life-altering loss or trauma
A brain chemical imbalance
Growing up with perfectionist parents or role models
Having a strong creative bent (artists, musicians, etc.)

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Constantly thinking about the source of one's obsession
Emotional extremes (love, hate, fear, etc.)
Focusing on one thing and building a life around it (a love of trains, fear of germs, etc.)
Talking incessantly about the obsession
Having ideas that take root and won't let go
Rationalizing one's obsession to others: "If I shake hands, I'll get a disease."
Losing sense of one's identity because the obsession takes over
Extreme protectiveness of anything to do with the obsession
Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
Thoughts that won't turn off (anorexics obsessing about weight and food, etc.)
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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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EXAMPLES FROM LITERATURE:
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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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