Ptsd Theatre - Movies, Tv, Books, Etc.

[AS1975]

The Bourne Identity series, one of very, very few movies to (a) cause me to jump; and (b) make me edgy as hell.

 

[ClairBear226]

Great thread. I actually started one just pertaining to fiction in the book club forum, after reading 3 books where trauma and PTSD were part of the plot, but not really written about in a way that I appreciated. Hashi sent me a link to this thread. Thanks for the ideas for what to read , guys. I'd really like to read something where PTSD is written about well. I really liked The Hunger Games series, partly for that reason, but hell, there's only 3 books. What's a girl to do? ;)

Has anyone seen Homeland on Showtime? It's about a POW who returns after 8 years of captivity, and displays definite signs of PTSD. He was also turned, and we see what is probably Stockholm Syndrome also. Good show.

 

[Only 1 of me]

There's Major Hunt in greys anatomy who is diagnosed with combat ptsd and spends a lot of time in therapy....

 

[LC23]

Apparently in the seventh season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine there's a PTSD storyline. Episode 10 I think? (I am told this by my sci-fi nerd spouse, haven't watched it yet.)

I am, however, plowing through all those Earth's Children books (Clan of the Cave Bear et al, I'm on Book 5 now), and Ayla is a PTSD survivor to a T.

 

[LC23]

Given all the violence in both book and TV format, it'd be amazing if Game of Thrones DIDN'T have characters with PTSD.

Minimal spoilerage without too many plot-vital specifics:

characters that I think show signs of PTS or PTSD include:

* Arya Stark - from watching the climactic event of Season 1/Book 1
* Sansa Stark - like Arya, but also with the added layer of physical, emotional, and threatened sexual abuse across several seasons and books
* Sandor Clegane - from childhood abuse by his older brother Gregor

 

[ericaboo]

Here are the ones I'm obsessed with - hope I don't repeat anything:

Shooter, Three Kings, Lost (TV Show), Body of Lies, Brazil, Hurt Locker, Birdy - that's all I can think of for now...

I have certain scenes that I obsessively watch. I can't figure out if it's a good or bad thing.

I'm sure these movies would be major triggers for people - just to warn you. I think I get some kind of adrenaline high from them. (Also some of the ones other people listed above)

 

[LC23]

No worries if you repeat something, I don't think anyone will mind, especially if you add how you yourself process and respond to specific movies.

I do think there's something to the adrenaline high - adrenaline is what our body releases during our PTSD moments, so to have that excitement in a safe, controlled way can be very appealing for some. I watch some pretty bloody stuff - Saving Private Ryan, Game of Thrones, Oz, etc. There's something about the visceral scenes that makes it extra compelling, and in a way it distracts from one's own pain by witnessing it in someone else. Of course, I'm only OK with that in fiction, not live-action. If I want to see real people in pain, but not feel bad for them, I'll watch an episode of Wipeout. :P

 

[sessie]

There's a great couple of episodes of the West Wing TV show where Josh has PTSD because of being shot. He gets triggered by the sound of a cello at a concert (seemingly innocuous). I haven't watched it for several years, but when I did, I found it painfully realistic and insightful.

 

[CourageofSnow]

Silver Linings Playbook - Pat is triggered by a song.

I found there were a couple of scenes that I could identify strongly with.

 

[saffy]

I am just reading A Question of Integrity by Susan Howatch. Watching 'Don't call me crazy' a fly on the wall documentary about kids in mental hospitals (UK might be in USA?)

Best wishes
Saffy :)

 

[Loloma]

How about "Angela's Ashes" by Frank McCourt. You can see most of the family suffered from PTSD, especially Frank's mother Angela. She had a crappy life as they lived during the depression in the thirties. Most Irish people went to America, they returned to Ireland where it was much worse.

Frank McCourt went back to America as a teenager and wrote more books. Two of them were "Tis" and "Teacher Man". Frank told his life story in these books. The extent of his PTSD was abundantly clear. His low self esteem, relationship problems and fitting in with colleagues were obvious. He rose above his trauma's and past despite his PTSD. Wonderful heart rendering writing.

 

[The Albatross]

Saw a movie just last evening called "Margaret" about a teen who was culpable in a bus accident that resulted in a fatality. It had some famous people in it - Matthew Broderick, Matt Damon, and a several other well known actors. Worth the watch though it hints about PTSD... doesn't hit on it directly. It's just afterwards, the teen starts some risky behaviors and shows some subtle psychic shifts.