psychological stress theme

also known as: coping with stress

A character experiences an unhealthy amount of mental strain and pressure due to some situation they are in.

Notes

We generally do not use this theme in violent, action filled, scenarios where we assume that adrenaline and stress would be a relatively natural (and arguably healthy) response to a life-and-death situation.

Examples

"coping with the rigors of command" is a "psychological stress" theme as it implies that a character experiences unusual amounts of mental strain due to having a burden of responsibility.

18 total · 1 choice · 7 major · 10 minor

StoryLevelMotivation
movie: 8½ (1963) choice Guido was under a lot of pressure both to produce a film despite his block, and from his love interests.
ahp1x02 major Kim was so distressed at having killed his father that he had a total breakdown and had to be committed.
bbf5x02 major Londo's condition was due to various kinds of stress.
ent2x12 major The Enterprise crew had to hunker down inside one of the warp nacelles to avoid an inescapable neutronic storm.
rd1988e6x05 major Rimmer was dealing with a stress related nervous disorder.
tz1985e1x01b major Penny was stressed out over her life of taking care of four children and a needy husband.
voy2x08 major Janeway
voy4x07 major Janeway in particular did with her headache
ahp1x01 minor Elsa explained that she had had a nervous breakdown.
ahp6x02 minor Ralph was stressed out from a combination of work and family life.