Fear Thesaurus Entry: Being Physically Touched

Debilitating fears are a problem for everyone, an unfortunate part of the human experience. Whether they’re a result of learned behavior as a child, are related to a mental health condition, or stem from a past wounding event, these fears influence a character’s behaviors, habits, beliefs, and personality traits. The compulsion to avoid what they fear will drive characters away from certain people, events, and situations and hold them back in life. 

In your story, this primary fear (or group of fears) will constantly challenge the goal the character is pursuing, tempting them to retreat, settle, and give up on what they want most. Because this fear must be addressed for them to achieve success, balance, and fulfillment, it plays a pivotal part in both character arc and the overall story.

This thesaurus explores the various fears that might be plaguing your character. Use it to understand and utilize fears to fully develop your characters and steer them through their story arc. Please note that this isn’t a self-diagnosis tool. Fears are common in the real world, and while we may at times share similar tendencies as characters, the entry below is for fiction writing purposes only.

Being Touched

Notes
While many people are sensitive to physical contact, an actual fear of being touched can lead to a host of difficulties. It can come about from a past trauma, learned experiences (through growing up in a family where touch was discouraged or punished), a physical sensitivity, or a mental health condition, to name just a few possible causes.

What It Looks Like
Backing away from handshakes, kisses, or other cultural greetings
Sticking to the fringes of crowds
Avoiding romantic relationships
…

Common Internal Struggles
The character feeling uncomfortable when their personal space is invaded
Desiring sex or other forms of intimacy but being unable to endure the physical contact
Distrusting men or women (if this was part of a traumatizing event that spawned the fear)
…

Flaws That May Emerge
Abrasive, Antisocial, Compulsive, Disrespectful, Fussy, Hostile, Obsessive, Tactless, Temperamental, Timid, Withdrawn

Hindrances and Disruptions to the Character’s Life
Having just a small circle of friends or loved ones
Having panic attacks at the thought of being touched sexually
Constantly feeling “othered” because people think the character is weird
…

Scenarios That Might Awaken This Fear
Getting into a relationship with someone whose love language is physical touch
Having to visit a doctor
Getting caught in a crowd
…

Other Fear Thesaurus entries can be found here.

Fear is a Crucial Piece of Your Character’s Arc

Fear will hold your character back in the story and affect how they see themselves and the world. It’s defining, determining who they are at the start of your story and what they’ll have to overcome to succeed in the end. Don’t overlook or underestimate this vital piece of the character’s arc.

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