Post-Hogwarts PTSD

[Penny & Bryce Linsenmayer]

No: HPFGUIDX 10854

Hi --

naama_gat at hotmail.com wrote:

> After all, most people who have fought in wars do not get PTSD.

I could be wrong, but I think that might be a bit of a generalization.  I
think I've read something somewhere that a majority of Vietnam vets
suffered some degree of PTSD at some point in their lives.

> My point in all this is that Harry probably will not suffer from PTSD.
> I doubt that he will ever go through a more horrible experience than
> the graveyard scene. And according to the canon he has
> emotionally survived this.

If the books are only going to get darker (per JKR), how do you figure
that Harry has already lived through the worst of it?  I personally
didn't think he'd have faced what he did in GoF (I was shocked that
Voldemort was back in full-force in the *4th* book -- didn't expect it
until the 6th or even 7th book myself).  But, he *is* back, and I don't
think the coming "War" is going to be a cakewalk for anyone involved.  I
don't think poor Harry has gone through the worst of it by any means.

> We should remember, however, that generally speaking people are tough
> and can survive very difficult times without breaking up emotionally
> (which is what I think PTSD is basically).

I'm sure Carole or Monika or someone else more knowledgeable about PTSD
can speak to this more than I can .... but my personal take is that
you're viewing PTSD as some sort of personal weakness that could be
overcome with enough strength of character.  I don't think this is
necessarily true, but I admittedly am not too knowledgeable about this
topic.

Penny