Post Traumatic Stress Disorder In Paper Towns By John Green

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Mental illness affects everyone in some way throughout their life, whether they suffer from it personally or know someone who is suffering. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of many mental health disorders that can come into a person’s life at any time or place; this disorder can appear in different ways and can be treated or relieved using a variety of coping mechanisms. In the novel Paper Towns written by John Green, the main characters go through a traumatic experience as children and years later they are affected by what they had witnessed at nine years old. Quentin and Margo’s characters portray the effects of PTSD throughout the story. Being involved in or witnessing a traumatic event
PTSD is a mental health condition that cannot be prevented and affects people who have experienced a trauma. The person may have witnessed or been involved in an incident causing a psychological response. Traumas can include anything from a sudden death, murder, car accidents, serious injury, natural disasters, a mass killing, or sexual violence. Not all people who go through a traumatic experience will suffer from PTSD but those who do are internally affected by what they have been through. “Studies suggest that over 70 per cent of Canadians have been exposed to at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, and that nearly 1 out of 10 Canadians may develop PTSD at some point in their lives.” (Staniloiu and Feinstein, 2017). PTSD sufferers are not able to let go of the horrible memories on their own. Fear, terror, helplessness, horror, and stress are just some emotions that these individuals live with day and night. This disorder takes over the person’s mind making them think about the trauma all the time, whether it is flashbacks, nightmares, or aweful memories that do not leave their thoughts. There are treatments and coping mechanisms to help relieve and control this
Depending on what the trauma was and how the person was involved can influence the effects. With this specific disorder, the sufferer is unable to move on from what happend. They may re-experience the trauma (flashbacks), not able to sleep, worry constantly, have nightmares, experience anxiety and depression, lose trust in people, be irritable, have constant fear and worrying, be afraid of dying, be easily frightened, or feel shameful and guilty. PTSD can lead to other problems including drug or alcohol addiction, hypertension, self injury, and personality changes if not treated. PTSD interferes with a person’s daily life creating problems at work, with personal relationships and, in social settings. Symptoms may not be present at all times. Certain things like sounds or smells may trigger the person’s emotions regarding the trauma. For example, if a person was involved in a car accident, seeing or hearing a traumatic car accident on television will bring back memories and feelings from their own experience and will rekindle their emotions. This disorder shows up differently in each person depending on their age and exposure therefore, the signs and symptoms may differ from each