Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Essay
Post traumatic stress disorder, known as PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that affects one’s mental health. Its victims experience symptoms following the witnessing of events that cause severe psychological distress. Such events are mostly those of war, violence, abuse, or serious accidents. Lasting from a few months to many years, post traumatic stress disorder causes very intense, emotional or physical pain. Although many health professionals used to question whether or not PTSD is a legitimate disorder, it leaves a severe impact on one’s life and the people’s lives around one. The condition affects a large majority of people in the United States. According to the National Institutes of Health, post traumatic stress disorder is estimated to
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In accord with the condition, the freshman displays symptoms from all four types of PTSD symptoms. Due to the huge impact of his aunt’s sexual abuse and her death, he experiences multiple flashbacks of such scenes, which is an intrusive symptom. Another interesting symptom was the time when Charlie and Sam were kissing. When Sam’s hand was placed on his lap, Charlie had a flashback of his aunt’s similar action. This is another example of his intrusive symptoms; this moment served as a physical reminder of the traumatic event he experienced. Charlie’s social-awkwardness and repressed memory of his aunt’s abuse are signs of avoidance. The changes in emotional reactions are seen from him when Charlie stands up for Patrick. Seeing that Patrick was hit for fighting with Patrick’s boyfriend Brad, Charlie quickly beats Patrick’s abusers and successfully stops the fight. This incident showcased his aggressive behavior. Notably, his flashbacks of the pain that his friends and family suffered seem to be traumatic scenes that he had witnessed, as well. Since he was also brought to a psychiatrist, Charlie’s post traumatic stress disorder was apparent as he was being treated. Overall, The Perks of Being a Wallflower demonstrated the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder wonderfully, albeit the condition was not explicitly
In accord with the condition, the freshman displays symptoms from all four types of PTSD symptoms. Due to the huge impact of his aunt’s sexual abuse and her death, he experiences multiple flashbacks of such scenes, which is an intrusive symptom. Another interesting symptom was the time when Charlie and Sam were kissing. When Sam’s hand was placed on his lap, Charlie had a flashback of his aunt’s similar action. This is another example of his intrusive symptoms; this moment served as a physical reminder of the traumatic event he experienced. Charlie’s social-awkwardness and repressed memory of his aunt’s abuse are signs of avoidance. The changes in emotional reactions are seen from him when Charlie stands up for Patrick. Seeing that Patrick was hit for fighting with Patrick’s boyfriend Brad, Charlie quickly beats Patrick’s abusers and successfully stops the fight. This incident showcased his aggressive behavior. Notably, his flashbacks of the pain that his friends and family suffered seem to be traumatic scenes that he had witnessed, as well. Since he was also brought to a psychiatrist, Charlie’s post traumatic stress disorder was apparent as he was being treated. Overall, The Perks of Being a Wallflower demonstrated the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder wonderfully, albeit the condition was not explicitly