Post Game 💤

How to Write a Character Who Feels Like Throwing Up

When fear, dread, or guilt gets sickening—literally—your character is consumed with a gut-clenching feeling that something is very, very wrong. Here's how to write that emotion using more than the classic "bile rose to the back of their throat".

Start with the Stomach

This isn’t just about discomfort. It’s about a complete rebellion happening inside their body.

Their stomach twists like a knot that keeps pulling tighter

A cold sweat beads on their neck, their palms, their spine

Their insides feel sludgy, like everything they’ve eaten is suddenly unwelcome

They double over, not from pain, but because sitting still feels impossible

Add Sensory Overload

Vomiting isn’t just a stomach reaction—it’s the whole body.

Their mouth goes dry, and then too wet

Their jaw tightens, trying to contain it

A sudden heat blooms in their chest and face, overwhelming

The back of their throat burns—not bile, but the threat of it

Breathing becomes a conscious effort: in, out, shallow, sharp

Emotional Triggers

Nausea doesn’t always need a physical cause. Tie it to emotion for more impact:

Fear: The kind that’s silent and wide-eyed. They’re frozen, too sick to speak.

Guilt: Their hands are cold, but their face is flushed. Every memory plays like a film reel behind their eyes.

Shock: Something just snapped inside. Their body registered it before their brain did.

Ground It in Action

Don’t just describe the nausea—show them reacting to it.

They press a fist to their mouth, pretending it’s a cough

Their knees weaken, and they lean on a wall, pretending it’s just fatigue

They excuse themselves quietly, then collapse in a bathroom stall

They swallow, again and again, like that’ll keep everything down

Let the Consequences Linger

Even if they don’t actually throw up, the aftermath sticks.

A sour taste that won’t leave their mouth.

A pulsing headache

A body that feels hollowed out, shaky, untrustworthy

The shame of nearly losing control in front of someone else

Let Them Be Human

A character feeling like vomiting is vulnerable. It's real. It’s raw. It means they’re overwhelmed in a way they can’t hide. And that makes them relatable. You don’t need melodrama—you need truth. Capture that moment where the world spins, and they don’t know if it’s panic or flu or fear, but all they want is to get out of their own body for a second.

Don't just write the bile. Write the breakdown.

HoshiHina probably go for some VLeague merchs after the game ends.

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i think we talk too much about dadbastian from the perspective of fix-it aus. i feel we should talk more about it in the context of canon and the inevitable incoming tragedy of kuro's ending someday. hold my hand. what if sebastian were ciel's guardian and it changed nothing and saved nobody? join me.

ai does not belong in creative spaces. period.

Morning Tea 🍵 just tsumu being a hater

Haikyuu!!: The Psychology of the Game

Core Themes:

Growth Mindset and Self-Actualization (Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs)

Central to the story is the psychological concept of self-actualization, particularly as seen through the lens of characters like Hinata Shoyo and Kageyama Tobio. Throughout the anime, Hinata’s relentless pursuit of improvement exemplifies Maslow's idea of self-actualization—the desire to achieve one’s full potential. His journey isn't just about mastering volleyball, but also overcoming his initial feelings of inferiority and stepping into a space where he can reach the highest potential of his innate skills. Meanwhile, Kageyama struggles with egoistic tendencies and must move beyond the "Esteem" stage of Maslow’s hierarchy to achieve true mastery.

Cognitive Dissonance and Mental Struggles (Festinger’s Cognitive Dissonance Theory)

Kageyama's early inability to collaborate with others on the court creates an internal struggle—his highly competitive and individualistic nature clashes with the collective dynamics of the team. This dissonance between his inner beliefs (he must always be the best) and the external situation (he needs to trust his teammates) forms a psychological tension that drives much of his character development. Over time, he resolves this dissonance through cognitive restructuring, which eventually leads to greater team cohesion.

Flow and Optimal Experience (Csikszentmihalyi’s Flow Theory)

The state of flow—being deeply immersed in an activity—is essential to many key scenes in Haikyuu!! The volleyball games and practices are full of examples where characters enter a state of flow. Whether it’s Hinata’s pure joy in the air during a spike or Oikawa's artistic precision, moments of peak performance reflect Csikszentmihalyi’s theory. The anime emphasizes how psychological states such as heightened concentration, a loss of self-consciousness, and a sense of effortless control contribute to athletic performance.

Social Identity and Ingroup/Outgroup Dynamics (Tajfel’s Social Identity Theory)

Throughout Haikyuu!!, the relationships between characters reveal how group identities influence behavior. The rivalry between Karasuno and teams like Aoba Johsai or Nekoma highlights social identity theory—the tendency to categorize individuals into "ingroups" (the team) and "outgroups" (the rival teams). The characters' sense of pride in their team leads to strong in-group biases, but as the series progresses, we also see how mutual respect across group boundaries (as seen in the evolving relationship between Kageyama and Oikawa) challenges and reshapes these identity structures.

Psychological Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth

Many characters, especially Ushijima, come from backgrounds where their intense focus on volleyball was a means of coping with past emotional trauma. Their resilience reflects the idea of post-traumatic growth—a psychological concept where individuals emerge from adversity stronger and more enlightened. Ushijima's stoic nature is rooted in a defensive mechanism, which is gradually revealed through subtle flashbacks and interactions with other players. The anime portrays how their personal history, traumas, and coping mechanisms influence their approach to competition.

Attachment Styles and Interpersonal Relationships (Bowlby’s Attachment Theory)

The bonds between teammates in Haikyuu!! are explored through attachment theory. For example, Hinata's initial over-attachment to Kageyama’s validation reflects an anxious attachment style, where he seeks constant approval from his "stronger" teammate. Over time, his evolution into a more autonomous player symbolizes the growth of a more secure attachment style, where he learns to rely on himself and his teammates rather than external validation.

Hinata Shoyo: A perfect representation of self-determination theory—his intrinsic motivation and constant drive to master the game reveal a deep inner desire to achieve competence, autonomy, and relatedness. His development demonstrates how intrinsic motivation can lead to personal growth and transformation.

Kageyama Tobio: Initially, his authoritarian leadership style reflects the dark triad of personality traits—narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. However, his growth highlights how emotional intelligence and self-regulation (central to the Emotional Intelligence Theory by Goleman) can help a person shift from toxic leadership to collaboration.

Oikawa Tooru: His narcissistic personality and need for admiration align with Freud’s theory of the ego but are also tempered with deep insecurity that drives him to outperform others. Oikawa’s rivalry with Kageyama demonstrates how different attachment styles can lead to distinct interpersonal dynamics, including jealousy, admiration, and competition.

Tobio Kageyama and Shouyou Hinata (Teamwork Psychology): Their interpersonal conflict resolution is rooted in collaborative problem-solving. Kageyama’s control-oriented, high-performance demeanor contrasts with Hinata’s exuberant, less disciplined approach. Their partnership is a dynamic example of how cognitive-behavioral strategies (CBT) can help modify maladaptive behaviors and create synergistic interactions.

the fact that this matches their faces exactly

I miss her