Stranger Things: How To Deal With Post-traumatic Stress
Post-traumatic stress is a fairly common sequel in victims who have lived through traumatic situations. In this sense, the popular suspense and fictional series Stranger Things presents us with very interesting characters to understand this type of after-effects.
Thus, having great adventures and defeating evil monsters is more difficult than it seems. A year later, during the second season of the series, the characters of Stranger Things return . This second part is full of suspense and mystery.
Read on to find out how post-traumatic stress disorder affected characters like Will, Once, or Joyce. W e would like to warn you that this article contains spoilers. You decide whether you want to continue or not …
Stranger Things, when the supernatural lurks
Stranger Things is a series created by the Duffer brothers in 2016. Launched through the Netflix virtual platform, the series has 17 chapters spread over two seasons. The second season was released in 2017 and it has already been confirmed that a third season will see the light of day.
Stranger Things takes place in the fictional town of Hawkins in 1983. In this remote village is also the National Hawkins Laboratory, which ostensibly deals with energy research. However, the true purpose of the National Hawkins Laboratory is secret. Paranormal and supernatural investigations take place inside its facilities.
It is in this place that the little Once grows up, a little girl with extraordinary skills. Scientists at the Hawkins Laboratory wanted to use his powers for political ends. At the beginning of the series, Once escapes from the laboratory and meets, during his escape, Mike and his friends.
Mike, Dustin and Lucas are the group of friends of the missing child, Will Byers. Although no one knows, Will was kidnapped by a monster from a parallel world. In this other world, Will must hide from the terrible monster, hungry and frozen.
The series takes place over a week long. Will’s mother Joyce and Police Chief Hopper are also looking for Will. Joyce and Hopper also discover the great supernatural conspiracy in which the government is involved.
Post-traumatic stress in the second season
At the end of the first season, Will Byers is saved from the other world. This is when the second season begins. His mother Joyce and his brother try to bring Will back to a normal life. However, Will Byers was marked by a deeply traumatic event.
Remember that trauma is a situation that threatens the psychological well-being of a person. Therefore, a trauma supposes a situation in which the person perceives a threat generating a very intense fear. Like many survivors of overwhelming experiences, Will begins to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
This disorder (called PTSD or PTSD) can develop unexpectedly any time after a traumatic situation (it is not necessarily immediate) . Like trauma, PTSD is violent and unexpected for the sufferer and its effects are very varied, sometimes confused with those of other disorders. For example, in some cases a person may experience depression and post-traumatic stress disorder at the same time, thus complicating the diagnosis.
The anniversary effect of post-traumatic stress
During the second season of the series, Will begins to have panic and dissociation attacks. Will additionally begins to feature episodes in which he imagines himself returning to the cold world he had been trapped in.
This is explained in the series as a birthday effect. The anniversary effect is a phenomenon that has also been observed in several patients with PTSD, such as soldiers. This is an aggravation of the symptoms and manifestations of post-traumatic stress disorder as the anniversary of the event approaches.
Some specialists explain the birthday effect as a particular configuration of factors, especially environmental ones, which trigger unpleasant memories and sensations. This effect can also be triggered by smells, colors or even flavors and sounds typical of a specific environment.
After the anniversary of the traumatic event has passed, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder often go away almost immediately.
Other manifestations of PTSD
PTSD can manifest itself in several ways. Will Byers, the main victim of the series, suffers from post-traumatic stress much more severe than the other characters. However, many people can be affected by a traumatic event.
Will’s friends and family are also showing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. Joyce, Will’s mother, is having nervous breakdowns. Will’s friends have nightmares. Mike’s older sister, who confronted the evil creature, feels guilt and remorse.
Among the most common manifestations of post-traumatic stress are recurring memories that generate great anxiety, as well as dreams hinting at the traumatic situation. In addition, a person with PTSD can be irritable and restless. She may also have a certain preference for social isolation and even become hostile.
We must take into consideration that a person suffering from PTSD may have episodes so intense that they constitute a potential danger to their health. Indeed, some people with PTSD experience nausea, stomach problems and severe migraines. Other patients lose interest in activities that once gave them pleasure.
On the other hand, many people with PTSD can feel guilty and lonely. This symptomatology is also associated with depressive disorder. It is therefore important to consult a specialist after having experienced a traumatic situation. This will help the patient to deal with and overcome the possible effects of PTSD. There is nothing wrong with receiving or asking for help.
It is important that people with PTSD are not ashamed of their reactions. PTSD is a much more common disorder than we might think, which does not only affect people with weak character, and which can be greatly reduced with proper assessment and intervention.
