PTSD in movies and literature

Lets make a list.

Somerset Maugham's The Razors Edge is about PTSD. Larry and Sophia are practically case studies. I remember all the time, Larry got well because he did physical labor as he studied philosophy. He probably learned Kundalini yoga in India! He did study yoga. Maugham wasaI doctor.

I love Billie Jack. The marital arts sequences are silly, but its a great film. And yeah, I try and try to be patient and tolerant and forgiving.but when I see the results of slipshod incompetence ...I.Just. Go. Nuts!

I went nuts in hospital. When skater boys gave me their version of the power salute, it meant the world to me.

Rambo. I hated it. That means that in the shadows of my psyche is a bit dumb alter ego hell bent on making a big mess.

Taxi Driver. Dont remember much. But I think of it a lot. Been taking a lot of taxis. Medicaid pays for them. Met some interesting drivers.

I am not aware of any movies and books off hand. But I will do some research and return soon.

Heroes (1977) - Henry Winkler / Sally Field / Harrison Ford ... One of the first movies EVER to even broach the subject of PTSD as it applies to veterans of the Vietnam War.

Trauma & Recovery (1992) - Judith Herman ... Published one year before my diagnosis, and while it was actually written for treatment providers, I gained a lot of understanding regarding my condition (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) which developed over a period of 33.5 years due to horrific incest and abuse at the hands of my family of origin.

Ones mentioned for combat PTSD (I'm not sure they all use that term, but the characters seem to display characteristics of it):

"Rolling Thunder", "Univeral Soldier", "The Hunted"

Other ones which seem to show characters with it:

"Legend of the Fall" (with Brad Pitt), "The Last Samuri," "The Prince of Tides"

Goodwill Hunting with Matt Damon and Robin Williams that came out in 97 is a good one.

k

Trauma and Recovery is a classic. Im not sure I agree with everything Herman has ever written. I think parents cannot share parenthood equally because the bonds we have with mothers and fathers are not the same. And Im not sure a political prisoner who was healthy when he got imprisoned has the same type of ptsd as a person with ptsd + developmental trauma+ insecure attachment. Its still intriguing to point out the similarities. I used to dream I was dating Sadaam Hussein and my parents were making ridiculous understated comments like, "hes to old for You" or "should teacake be dating a war criminal?". They were amusing dreams with Saddam in an elegant cashmere sweater drinking coffee from mothers everyday dishes and making polite conversation with my folks He fit right in!

Thats right! Ive always thought of it as a gifted kid movie. But sure, Will was frozen in place and unable to use his giftedness because of trauma.

I think its cool that Maugham desceibed ptsd so accurately before the diagnosis existed. Larry was a wwi veteran.

Also Robin Williams shared that he was abused too near the end.

I remember that. If only therapy were so easy, one great session to sob in Robin Williams arms then off to see about a girl.

All the campy zombie films are in some way about trauma. Ii think we all feel sometimes we are fighting for survival of our humanity among people who have given up.

The Walking Dead definitely comes to mind here. All those people losing their loved ones and having to survive in such a life threatening world. Every person in that show has PTSD at some level or another. It's interesting how it effects each person. Like the least likely character becoming stronger and the strong character becoming defeated or turning into a mad man/woman. I'm a psych major, so I gobble up this stuff.

I've always thought this too!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is partly about PTSD.

In Country by Bobbie Ann Mason - both the book and the movie.

Bruce Willis looks really silly in a skirt...

I like the book much better, especially the climactic swamp scene towards the end. The one in the movie was good, but didn't convey the intensity of Emmett's emotional turmoil as well as the book.

Me & Emma (2005) - Elizabeth Flock

Can't believe I forgot that one!

I was deeply moved by it as I could relate to what all that child was having to endure while living in a horridly abusive environment.

Although a work of fiction, the ending shows all to well how our brain can change, adapt and function in order to help us survive environments & circumstances we have little to no control over!