Post Traumatic Stress disorder is a fairly common problem among people who have gone through a traumatizing experience sometime in their past. A common misconception is that the trauma was a recent event, but this is not always how PTSD works. The cause of PTSD can have happened at any point in a persons life, from their childhood all the way up to their present day lives. It is not always an immediate effect, sometimes laying dormant in someone until it is triggered later in their lives. Many people are unaware of how this can affect a person's everyday routine, and change their very way of living.
In the book Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are characterized for the first time. The main character, Billy Pilgrim, experiences a series of unlikely events and hallucinations after returning home from the second world war. Billy begins to believe in a number of insane theories like he has the ability to time travel, he was abducted by aliens, and that every moment ever is happening at the same exact time. In addition to these hallucinations, Billy is also shown several times being deeply affected by reminders of his time spent as a prisoner of war. One of these events was when he heard and saw the barbershop courtet, which reminded him of the guards that were near him during the bombing of Dresden. Kurt's representation of PTSD through Billy and the self narrated chapters where the first of their time. He used them to help strengthen his anti-war campaign as the Vietnam war raged on.
Ever since September Eleventh 2001 the United States has been involved in a "war against terrorism". This war involves send thousands of troops over into the middle east, deploying them into dangerous situations in order to keep the citizens of these other nations safe. There are many people who believe this is a noble cause, but also not one worth risking our soldiers' lives overs. Many soldiers come home with disabilities, both physical and mental, which hobble their ability to perform in everyday life. PTSD can leave these veterans out on the street, delusional and with no chance of forming a professional career. Creating a nationwide awareness of this disorder and creating plans and centers to help not only soldiers but anyone suffering from PTSD or a similar disorder.
My grandfather and his family from my mothers side all have been enlisted into many different branches f the military, from air force to navy to army. I have been lucky in the matte that none of them have personally experienced PTSD, but they do have friends who have gone through it. The thought of my family going through this without being able to receive or afford professional help terrifies me. I believe the nation should put more of an emphasis on PTSD and helping our veterans who risk their lives to keep our nations safe.
Good work Karry!
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