Ptsd in Slaughterhouse 5
Billy Pilgrim has not come unstuck in time; Billy has become a victim of violent warfare. Common to many soldiers of war, he has witnessed such horrific events during the bombing of Dresden that he has acquired Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In order to avoid the reality of his cruel life and of the war, Billy has become dependant on escapism. Through escapism he has created the planet of Tralfamadore and the Tralfamadorians.
Billy Pilgrim has become a victim of PTSD after having served in the military during World War Two. Although not officially diagnosed until the 1980s, the mental disorder had been terrorizing its victims throughout history. One will understand Billy Pilgrim inevitably suffers from this disorder when one discovers what it is to have PTSD:
“Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, or military combat. People with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts and memories of their ordeal and feel emotionally numb, especially with people they were once close to. They may experience sleep problems, feel detached or numb, or be easily startled.”
Billy Pilgrim epitomizes a victim of this mental disorder. Throughout his life, beginning with his near death experienced when his father used “the method of sink-or-swim”(43) and tossed Billy into the deep end of the pool, Billy has experienced many traumatic events that could have triggered the effects of PTSD. The first sign of his symptoms became evident behind enemy lines when Billy was attacked by a fellow soldier: “Billy was down on all fours on the ice, and Weary kicked him in the ribs, rolled him over on his side. Billy tried to form himself into a ball” (51). In reaction “Billy was involuntarily making convulsing sounds” (51). Billy’s mental disorder is deep
Billy Pilgrim has become a victim of PTSD after having served in the military during World War Two. Although not officially diagnosed until the 1980s, the mental disorder had been terrorizing its victims throughout history. One will understand Billy Pilgrim inevitably suffers from this disorder when one discovers what it is to have PTSD:
“Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, or military combat. People with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts and memories of their ordeal and feel emotionally numb, especially with people they were once close to. They may experience sleep problems, feel detached or numb, or be easily startled.”
Billy Pilgrim epitomizes a victim of this mental disorder. Throughout his life, beginning with his near death experienced when his father used “the method of sink-or-swim”(43) and tossed Billy into the deep end of the pool, Billy has experienced many traumatic events that could have triggered the effects of PTSD. The first sign of his symptoms became evident behind enemy lines when Billy was attacked by a fellow soldier: “Billy was down on all fours on the ice, and Weary kicked him in the ribs, rolled him over on his side. Billy tried to form himself into a ball” (51). In reaction “Billy was involuntarily making convulsing sounds” (51). Billy’s mental disorder is deep