masterlist of resources for writing disabled/chronically ill/neurodiverse characters
Disclaimer: I do not have every condition listed here (though I do have quite a few). I have verified as much as I could that each resource is a good source of information. If any of these is misleading or wrong in any way PLEASE let me know. I will fix it accordingly.
Wanting to branch into writing more diverse characters? Wanting to include representation for those who are neurodivergent, disabled, or chronically ill? The first step to branching out is to research the various conditions/diseases/disorders your character could have. You also need to research what day to day life would be like for them. These links should provide a starting base of information in writing and portraying these characters:
Resources for writing/handling a chronically ill character:
4 tips for writing a chronically ill character
Writing about a chronically ill character
Writing about chronic illness (many different chapters about it)
Writing a character with Chronic Pain
Treating disabled people like humans
Trauma and chronic illness
Talking to disabled people about their disabilities
Chronic Pain First Aid Kit
How Hogwarts A Mystery can be used to describe spoon theory
Why you should never say “but you don’t look sick!”
Writing disabled characters
Writing a neurodiverse character
What it means to be neurodiverse
An interview about a neurodiverse character and author
Resources for learning more about various chronic illnesses/neurodiversity:
Mental illnesses/Neurological Disorders:
post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
boderline personality disorder (BPD) / more resources
eating disorders / more resources
Dyspraxia / more resources / more resources
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s
Hormonal/Reproductive Disorders *these disorders are not only women’s health issues. trans men and non-binary indiviudals can suffer from them as well. please do not refer to them as solely women’s health issues*:
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) / more information /
Gastrointestinal Conditions:
gastroesophageal reflux disease
Psoriasis / more resources
Various other illnesses/conditions:
B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia
Recommended places to look for more information on your own:
PCOS awareness association
Right here on tumblr. there are tons of posts under tags related to the topics as well as the “#chronically ill” tag and “#spoonie” tag
Try and find either government websites or websites that belong to the specific research groups for those conditions
Psychiatry journals/texts
Reach out to those you know with a chronic illness (but ALWAYS be sure to ask if it is okay. for some people talking about their illnesses is traumatizing and personal. others (like me) are okay with it!
If there are illnesses not here that you would like represented, let me know! I plan on keeping this updated and continuing adding to it. Every link should take you directly to the source/post.
Remember, a lot of these are more common than you think. there will always be someone out there who feels represented by a character with one of these conditions/disorders/diseases. this kind of representation helps normalize the idea that it is okay to exist as a neurodivergent, chronically ill, or disabled person. you are allowed to have adventures and live a happy life.
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