Chapter Discussions: Chapter 3, the Advance Guard/PTSD

[Martha]

No: HPFGUIDX 83245

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Ali" <Ali at z...> wrote:
> 
> (Q 2) Is the behaviour exhibited by Harry – waxing between total 
> inactivity and inability to stay still, a sign of depression or 
Post 
> Traumatic Stress Disorder? We see him wanting to externalise some 
of 
> the internal pain and frustration he is feeling by having Hedwig 
> peck his friends this does seem to be an unwelcome development in 
> Harry's character from the boy we left in GoF.

Now Martha (who should be reading for her Social Development course, 
but has decided that this totally counts as studying):

I am inclined to think that Harry has, indeed, developed PTSD by the 
time we encounter him lying in the flowerbed. (I am less sure about 
depression - I think there is some evidence for it, but depression is 
named as one of the symptoms of PTSD anyway.) Melanie Black posted on 
this is message 80228 and Innermurk added to what was said in message 
80263 - they both seem to put it much better than I do, but I'll have 
a go nonetheless. *Grins and waves to them, if they're reading* 

National Center for PTSD
<http://www.ncptsd.org/facts/general/fs_what_is_ptsd.html> reports 
that there are certain groups of people - that is, people who have 
experienced certain things - who are more likely to develop PTSD in 
later life. Those who are particularly susceptible include (my 
emphasis):

"Those with prior vulnerability factors such as genetics, early age 
of onset and **longer-lasting childhood trauma, lack of functional 
social support, and concurrent stressful life events**"

and

"Those with a social environment that produces shame, guilt, 
stigmatization, or self-hatred"

I'd say childhood trauma is definitely present in our research 
subject. :-) At the age of 15 months, he is removed from the 
environment he was used to and placed in one where the level of 
stimulation, care and nurture is much lower than it should be for a 
15-month-old infant. Moreover, he was made to sleep in a cupboard, do 
the housework, wear cast-off clothes and so on - not necessarily 
traumatic in itself, but alongside Dudley, who was spoiled rotten, 
this is arguably a very traumatic experience. Harry is physically 
punished, reprimanded for normal behaviour or behaviour out of his 
control (talking about his dreams, asking questions, having his hair 
grow back quickly), and treated very, very differently from his 
cousin (think of the ice-creams at the zoo, or the sort of birthday 
presents they receive). That is, IMO, "a social environment that 
produces shame, guilt, stigmatization, or self-hatred".

The National Institute of Mental Health's page on PTSD (NIMH - 
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/anxiety/ptsdfacts.cfm) has this to say about 
the onset and symptoms of PTSD:

"Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that 
can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which 
grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. [...] Many people 
with PTSD repeatedly re-experience the ordeal in the form of 
flashback episodes, memories, nightmares, or frightening thoughts, 
especially when they are exposed to events or objects reminiscent of 
the trauma. Anniversaries of the event can also trigger symptoms. 
People with PTSD also experience emotional numbness and sleep 
disturbances, depression, anxiety, and irritability or outbursts of 
anger. Feelings of intense guilt are also common. Most people with 
PTSD try to avoid any reminders or thoughts of the ordeal. PTSD is 
diagnosed when symptoms last more than 1 month."

So. Back to Harry. He is predisposed to developing PTSD. No definite 
symptoms pre-graveyard at end of GoF, but the possibility is there. 

Then - BANG - traumatic life event. Harry is unexpectedly porkeyed 
away to somewhere unfamiliar and scary. He witnesses the death of a 
person he is friendly with. He is physically harmed, watches the 
return of his parents' murderer, surrounded by very intimidating 
people, is involved in a battle, nearly killed, you know how it goes. 
Roughly a month after this event, he is displaying (some of the) 
symptoms of PTSD. Examples:

- Nightmares/flashbacks. We are told on at least 2 occasions, as I 
recall (no books on me) that Harry has been dreaming about a 
graveyard. Dudley hears Harry calling out Cedric's name in his sleep. 

- Irritability/outbursts of anger. Harry becomes angry almost 
immediately upon seeing his two best friends for the first time in a 
month. This behaviour is repeated throughout the year. He is 
irritable with Hedwig, then regrets it. He shouts at Umbridge.

- Telling himself not to think about the ordeal. Enough said.

- Feelings of intense guilt/survival guilt. Doesn't he worry about 
whether Cho likes him, since **he survived and Cedric didn't**? See 
also dreaming about Cedric. 

Also, JKR has said that Harry didn't see the thestrals when leaving 
Hogwarts at the end of GoF because he hadn't "processed" Cedric's 
death yet. Two months later, he can see them. I think that backs up 
the idea that he has developed PTSD by the time he returns to school.

That's my theory on it, anyway. Thoughts, anyone?

~ Martha, who would just love to get Snape on the couch. In more ways 
than one ;-D

PS - Anyone else notice that during his high-and-mighty attack on 
JKR, Andrew Davies slipped into the conversation that he'd only read 
about 30 pages? Good to see that the literary elite are making 
informed decisions.