Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a REAL Thing !

    Are you familiar with that fancy word PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? It is a mental health disorder in which a person has difficulty recovering after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. This kind of trauma can take many forms, including military combat, sexual assault, physical or emotional abuse, or the sudden death of a loved one. The condition may last months or years, bringing back memories of the trauma accompanied by intense emotional and physical reactions.

    In Virginia Woolf's novel Mrs. Dalloway, the character Septimus Warren Smith, a veteran who served in the British Army during World War I, experiences symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The main reason he got PTSD is that during the war, he witnessed numerous traumatic events, especially the death of his best friend, Evans, which extremely affected him. Woolf characterized Septimus's PTSD as feelings of numbness and emotional detachment. He experiences vivid flashbacks of the traumatic events and struggles to feel connected to his wife, his doctors, and the world around him. The main problem Septimus faces with his PTSD is the lack of understanding and support from those around him. His doctors and wife cannot fully understand the extent of his trauma and its effect on his mental health, which is also a modern problem. People around you are unwilling to understand what is going on. Rather, they began to judge you based on your current presence.

    In one of the most renowned British TV series, Peaky Blinders, the main character Thomas Shelby is also portrayed as a WWI veteran who also experiences symptoms of PTSD. During the war, Thomas's participation in bombing underground, and murdering in the trenches, left him with lasting emotional and psychological scars. Throughout the series, Thomas is shown to have intense flashbacks and nightmares related to his time in the war, and he often struggles with anxiety, anger, and difficulties. His PTSD affects his relationships with others, particularly his own family members. He had a hard time to expressing his emotion toward his loved ones. In difficult situations, his PTSD rises and makes him paranoid, and he faces difficulty trusting others and feeling safe in his environment. This leads him to take extreme measures to protect himself and his family, often resorting to violence and illegal activities. His PTSD also contributes to his struggles with addiction and self-destructive behaviors.

Septimus in Mrs. Dalloway

Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders

    Although both characters are in very different settings and situations, some similarities exist in their experiences with PTSD. Both characters served in the British Army during WWI and were deeply affected by the traumatic events they witnessed on the battlefield. Both characters experience symptoms of PTSD, including vivid flashbacks and emotional suffering. Another similarity between Thomas and Septimus is their sense of detachment and isolation from those around them. Both characters struggle to connect with their family members having trust issues. They also lack understanding and support from those around them. And the biggest similarity that both characters exhibit is self-destructive behavior due to their PTSD. Thomas turns to violence and illegal activities to cope with his trauma, while Septimus becomes increasingly paranoid and ultimately takes his own life. We also see this kind of situation in this modern virtual world; youths are taking their own life without sharing their emotions and trauma with his/her close ones.

    I believe it is mandatory to note that seeking treatment for PTSD is not a sign of weakness, and there is no shame in asking for help. PTSD can significantly affect a person's quality of life, but the right treatment makes recovery possible. Both characters provide insight into the long-lasting effects of PTSD, highlighting how mental health conditions like PTSD can be misunderstood and stigmatized. With the right support and love, one can overcome the effects of trauma and can rebuild a charming life.