SECRET THESAURUS

FAKING AN ILLNESS



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HELPFUL TIP:

Secrets represent a past your character wants to forget and a future they want to prevent, so give them something that will change everything if it gets out. Mine their emotional wounds, relationships, fears, or occupations for ideas, and consider how this secret could tie into your story's theme.
ABOUT THIS SECRET:
Why would someone fake an illness? Being sick might garner attention or sympathy from others. It may result in a financial settlement or provide protection from an abusive environment. It could also be the perfect way to get out of a commitment. How this secret affects the character will depend not only on their reasons but also on the severity of the illness. Cancer, for example, is more difficult to simulate than a stomachache, with more complicated and long-term ramifications should someone discover the truth.

CATEGORY:
Personal Health Issues

SIMILAR OR RELATED SECRETS:
FAKING A PREGNANCY

SPECIFIC FEARS THAT MAY DRIVE THE NEED FOR SECRECY:
ABANDONMENT, BEING PHYSICALLY TOUCHED, BEING RETURNED TO AN ABUSIVE ENVIRONMENT, BEING SEPARATED FROM LOVED ONES, BEING UNSAFE, CHANGE, CROWDS, FAILURE, HAVING NO PURPOSE, ISOLATION, LEADING, LETTING OTHERS DOWN, MEDIOCRITY, NEVER FINDING HAPPINESS, NOT BEING IN CONTROL, PUTTING ONESELF OUT THERE, RELATIONAL COMMITMENT, SEX

HOW THIS SECRET COULD HOLD THE CHARACTER BACK:
Becoming accustomed to avoiding responsibilities and not taking risks
Becoming inactive and sedentary
Losing advantages at work
Not being available for the people who need them
Being viewed as unreliable or frail because of their health condition
Having to rely on others for basic tasks they could do themselves
Self-isolating to maintain the ruse and becoming lonely

BEHAVIORS OR HABITS THAT HELP HIDE THIS SECRET:
Faking symptoms of the illness
Canceling social events or plans
Calling in sick at work
Fabricating medical appointments
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ACTIVITIES OR TENDENCIES THAT MAY RAISE SUSPICIONS:
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SITUATIONS THAT MAKE KEEPING THIS SECRET A CHALLENGE:
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SCENARIOS THAT MAY ENCOURAGE THEM TO LET THE SECRET GO:
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RESULTS OF THE SECRET BEING REVEALED OR DISCOVERED:
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