Research Writer Looking For Info On Ptsd

[Whyteferret]

Hi to all
I realise this is a very private and sensitive topic, so I hope I am not being to intrusive to anyone when I...

Done right, though, it might be a way to educate people about its impact on relationships. Folks will read for fun what they won't otherwise. I just don't like the idea of a happy, happy ending. It's not what so many of us experience.

I never had a relationship after. I couldn't trust anyone that much to be vulnerable. Vulnerable is dangerous. At least to me.

There is plenty of books and professional journal articles about relationships and PTSD. They may help you more than we can.

If you write it, please try to be realistic with it.

 

[Ava Jarvis]

Sigh.

I'm a writer, before you say anything. But the thing I know about writing is that you need to do your research before you even think about asking other people about the topic. This applies for anything—any kind of disorder, any kind of disability, any kind of culture, pretty much any thing one would write about.

So step one would be to go look for PTSD resources. They're kind of all over the web, this website probably has a bunch listed, Google can be helpful. Go and read and get the basics.

Step two is to read fiction in your genre AND outside of it where PTSD is covered. You want to see what works and what doesn't work in light of both the research you did in step one AND in terms of storytelling.

Step three, AFTER steps one and two -- maybe you can start asking more pointed questions to communities like this, instead of waffling about with such big and complicated and basically unanswerable questions that waste everybody's time. Like seriously, you don't even know what to ask about.

Steps one and two are big and huge. Writing isn't easy. Writing about a topic like this correctly? Extremely difficult.

But if it was easy it wouldn't be worth doing, as they say.

Now. Here's some stuff I've written -- Google for "PTSD in fiction Ava Jarvis" -- I do some case studies of specific examples of PTSD portrayals there, although they are very short and by no means exhaustive. Also recall that this stuff was written quite a while ago -- back when C-PTSD was short for "Chronic PTSD" rather than "Complex PTSD".

For gods sakes, don't use them as a research short-cut. My crack team of SWAT elephants will FIND YOU if you do so.

 

[Zanshin]

There are a lot of angry responses here... I understand, profiting from someone else's pain seems wrong. Looking at the disorder and saying, " yes, a romantic drama storyline!" can be a bit more than a stretch... Many of us see romance, relationships, or even affection as impossible due to what's happened, so the thought of such an idea seems farfetched enough to be laughable.

Yet much fiction can be difficult to read (thinking Wally Lamb's work here), tackle tough issues, and be brilliant. If it makes people think of a life or view outside their own and raises awareness - and more important, empathy - I commend such authors.

I'd be cautious to call it romantic, for many of the reasons listed above, but drama or a piece of a life story can be realistic. While there can be relationships or romance, it's not typical of "normal" non-sufferer relationships since we simply can't understand how that works anymore. A pat happy ending is also unlikely...

The trauma diaries here may show what people go through on a regular basis, it's not easy for the sufferers or supporters either. Not having PTSD yourself, or knowing someone who does by the sound of it, can make you very objective... or just muck it all up. Please be careful, there are enough horrid misrepresentations out there already.

Search for "fictional characters" on the forums, there are several threads discussing this. You will be able to see input on whether they're considered well portrayed or not.

 

[EveHarrington]

Please don't use our personal diaries as source material.

 

[Zanshin]

Eve, I didn't mean to quote the diaries, but to get a feel for how a sufferer/supporter can feel that may be less clinical than text books in the hopes of correct representation.

I'm sorry if that was out of line.

 

[EveHarrington]

I was just trying to request that the op not go through our diaries looking for a storyline, that's all.

And actually I do stand corrected. I remember a supporter posting about making mad passionate love to her combat vet after he told her details about his trauma. I remember it because I replied saying something about that making me queasy------which is natural as I'm a CSA survivor and in my case if that happened------just ewww. Idk what the combat side looks like, but given all I've read, this particular scenario seems to be the exception rather than the rule.

 

[Zanshin]

Thanks, Eve, I was hoping I didn't offend.

For some people, sex/romance can be healing. Not my first thing either due to my traumas, but I know people that find it soothing, even after abuse, though not necessarily the same acts that were done during the abuse unless they're working through them. (It works for them but I have difficulty wrapping my mind around it also.)

I like the idea of anyone being able - capable - of finding romance and feeling love... Not always related to the physical act, but feeling safe enough to be loved. Huge goal.

 

[EveHarrington]

I just want to say this------

Romance novels are oftentimes called soft core porn for lonely housewives.

"Romance" is a catch - all phrase.

This is why I have a problem with it being associated with PTSD.

 

[mary1979]

I just want to say this------

Romance novels are oftentimes called soft core porn for lonely hou...

Ahaha omg I remember trying to read one of my Mums old Mills and Boon novels as a kid
You are spot on.

Pathetic crap.

 

[Zanshin]

Re: Soft core porn = romance

Absolutely - Hence suggesting dropping the romance and going with drama in my first post.

But the idea of the flowers/love romance instead of the bow chicka bow wow romance can be plausible though taking some time/work to happen.

Maybe I'm foolishly being a romantic on that thought. Wouldn't be the first time....

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Ive read romance novels that were like soft core porn, read some that were sweet, read some that were Christian. Not all are the same.

Profiting from a disorder isnt new; Rain Man for one along with a high number of mental illness in books and movies. By the way, I LOVED Rain Man.

I dont think its wrong. The OP is a guest and cant get into Trauma Diaries unless a member. I think writing say a solider that went to battle and came home with PTSD and now a new struggle, its reality, fiction but reality of so many. American Sniper, the true story of Chris Kyle, had PTSD. This isnt new.

I dont see mental illness in a book or movie humorous, I see it sad and dramatic and why not a romatic story, we should, afterall, be spouse worthy so this can help take the stigma down a bit.

Actually the more books, movies, and documentries are made and the more mental illness is talked about, the less stigma there is.

My name isnt being used and if it is without my permission (my name isnt on here) then I can sue so whom knows that piece was of my story but me and i dont have to read the book.

Just my 4 cents. Though I must agree with @Ava Jarvis in those steps!

 

[Powder]

@Anarchy

I can't even figure out what to type in response to your post. It's just amazingly accurate and expresses what I have felt for a long time. I honestly never expected anyone to spell it all out so clearly and passionately.

Thank you for doing so.

Red Pill. Yes! Spot on!

I'd like to see a new version of Lady Chatterly in which the PTSD and traumatically paralyzed husband is not portrayed as a monster worthy of being cheated on wontonly. I'd love to see a veteran who shouts and throws his brandy glass with his manly hands, and then sobs and shakes like a little boy on the floor.

I'd like the wife to see exactly how long he's been carrying a hidden injury and how war broke it lose for her to see him for the first time. Not how war changed him and he' no longer worth having or worse, is the reason for her to seek love elsewhere.

In the post-modern romance, I think we would be "over" the idea of just ditching when the going gets tough and finding some pristine, unscathed person who makes life and love "simple and easy" again. All you need is flowers and nudity? No, not anymore. Love has to actually mean something.