Archetype Trauma

Many people experience trauma as they age. Certain individuals will experience a range of physically distressing events, from typical household injuries to brutal domestic violence. For some people, however, the effects are more severe. If the occurring events are particularly distressing, an individual can suffer lifelong symptoms of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Some commonly overlooked symptoms of this disorder include extreme guilt, vivid nightmares, and extreme irritability—for example, hundreds of soldiers after World War II experienced nightmares, hallucinations, crying fits, and hypersensitivity. Unfortunately for these combatants, the ruthless effects war had on them lasted for years. However, in spite of the occurring events,
I recognize that I am in no position to diagnose Okonkwo with an official disorder, however, his childhood experiences closely identify with particular signs of PTSD and archetypal trauma, thus providing a useful lens for Things Fall
When discussing these symptoms, it is useful to turn to one type of trauma, PTSD, as it provides clarity about the effects of trauma. Some indications of PTSD and typical internal trauma include short term memory loss and various psychological repercussions, specifically extreme irritability, irrepressible anger, and hypervigilance. Besides these short term affects, there are also a variety of long term affects associated with trauma. These individuals frequently struggle with trusting others, cognitive processing, and their bodies become hypersensitive to potential threats. After time, these symptoms lessen in severity, however - according to the majority of medical practitioners – they will rarely disappear. Moreover, according to a 2010 study conducted by the National Society of PTSD, ten percent of women and five percent of men in the United States will undergo psychological symptoms of PTSD for