A character who has been convinced that their existence is worthless, a burdensome mistake.
A character who needs to neglect their own basic needs to feel as though they're worthy of living.
A character who gets a sense of empowerment from suffering and sacrificing themselves.
A character who receives praise for not taking up space, for being 'non-disruptive' and 'compliant', a character who has been cosistently gaslit into thinking that they're only worthy of existence if they're a complete doormat.
A character who, even after getting psychological help, still tries to atone for their existence in small ways by not sitting down on a long bus ride; who never finishes their food even if they're still hungry because they can't be seen as a needy glutton; who always offers their last sip of water even if they themselves are parched; who does not take care of minor injuries because 'it's not a big deal'.
A character whose mental state is only kept stable because of their martyrdom complex, because as long as they atone for their existence through discomfort, pain, debilitating guilt and self-neglect, everything will be fine.
A character whose martyrdom complex has turned from a coping mechanism for their own self-hatred to their primary contributor to all of their mental health problems and their № 1 potential killer.
A character who has burned all their bridges because they're terrified of being vulnerable, because showing vulnerability means being a burden - and they'd rather be alone than be a burden.
A character who doesn't know who they are without their drive for self-neglect and self-destruction.