How To Write Mental Illness Like Brandon Sanderson | Writing & Worldbuilding

In our modern society the topic of mental illness has become extremely divisive. Some people see it as a topic you shouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole whilst others see it as something you should actively make fun of and mock because people are way too sensitive these days. Regardless of where you are on this spectrum, you can’t really deny that this has become a touchy subject overall. And to actively include mental illness as a theme in your fiction would seem to just be inviting criticism and scorn the moment you even came close to sensitive issues.
Yet despite this, Brandon Sanderson has been able to create multiple works of fiction, many of which have been genre-defining, whilst still heavily making use of characters that suffer from a myriad of mental health issues. Despite the sensitive nature, Sanderson has managed to incorporate mental illness without jeopardizing his career or even creating a major backlash.
So how does he do it? What does he do that allows him the ability to approach this sensitive topic without creating major waves. In fact, how does he do it and get praised for it? I’d like to briefly theorize on this topic and see what we can learn about Sanderson’s methods for approaching mental illness in fiction.
Let's take a look at how Brandon Sanderson writes mental illness. And let's see how you can write like Brandon Sanderson when it comes to this topic!
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[@joshhoehne8281]

As someone who's been diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, adult ADHD, and borderline agorophobic, I really respect Sanderson care and handling of mental illness. And thank you, Raven, for shining a positive light on it as well!

[@RavensRants]

All the best to you, my friend ♥

[@ditzykunoichi]

Brandon is definitely a writer master, I have also watched the vast majority of his lectures and been writing for awhile based on a lot of his teaching. It makes the most happy that Brandon is so well-intended with his writing because his upbringing usually wouldn't let that happen. It's amazing to see someone go against the grain for their own culture, insist on being a part of it still, but do their own thing for the most part. He will definitely be the idol of many young people for years to come.

[@RavensRants]

100% Agreed

[@petrairene]

As someone who suffers from mental illness, he doesn't write it very well at all. Because real mental illness has the habit of rearing it's ugly head when you need it least in your life. If's not conveniently not a factor as soon as you need to perform in order for the plot to happen. Also, stuff like PTSD makes you emotionally volatile with anger issues. Yet we never see Kaladin or Dalinar or any of the other characters that have to be traumatised by the stuff they went through, irrationally lash out at random people around them. Unlike for example my granddad who fought in WW2. None of them show realistic PTSD in their social interactions. They are perpetually nice to each other at a level that is unrealistic even for totally healthy individuals. The characters are pretty much all one dimensional.

[@molliethomas2585]

In defense of Elantris, and as someone who's on the spectrum, the problem with autism is that there is no set in stone rules for how it manifests. Yes, Adien was written as a stereotypical autist, but the reason why that's the stereotype is because it's the most common. I have a slight obsession with certain numbers, and even as an adult there are still certain foods that I will not eat for love or money, mostly because of texture. And while I've gotten better, I still say awkward shit that can and has killed a conversation. And I'm still a bit clumsy. So yeah, there's my two cents

[@RavensRants]

Appreciate your input! I do, however, think that Steris was a more nuanced depiction, but you make valid points

[@molliethomas2585]

@@RavensRants She is, for sure. And I love Steris❤️ Istg her and Renarin are my spirit animals 😂

[@peachibread1983]

I have a cheat sheet thanks to my brain!

[@RavensRants]

I was gonna lol, but then I saw which video this was. Oof. Much love and strength ❤️

[@peachibread1983]

@@RavensRants thank you, that's actually really comforting

[@Suplex479]

Sick.. video dude

[@RavensRants]

Thanks bro