Harry and Post traumatic stress disorder

[Julie Rice]

No: HPFGUIDX 129906

Julie <drjuliehoward at y...> wrote:
<SNIP>
> (Julie -- being brought to the keyboard by the use of 
> a mental health  diagnosis).  I find it interesting
> that you have said Harry is PTSD.   Aside from his
> being subjected to life-threateningsituations and 
> seeing someone else killed, how do you see Harry
> fitting the criteria?  
 

 The information for PTSD comes from webmd.com  I
edited it for brevity and it's still too long.   I'll
put in any examples that I can think up off the top of
my head.  Please snip and cite any examples that you
come up with.
 
Common symptoms of PTSD include:
     * Recurring, intrusive, and distressing memories
of the event. In PTSD, you continue to relive the
traumatic event through painful memories, vivid
dreams, or flashbacks. Reliving the event may cause
intense fear, helplessness, and horror similar to what
you felt at the time the event took place. This
distress may cause physical symptoms of extreme
anxiety or a panic attack.

After Cedric dies and Harry is at the Dursleys',
Dudley brings up the fact that Harry is dreaming of
Cedric and his murder.  Harry is unable to sleep well.

     * Avoiding situations that remind you of the
event.
    
    * Becoming emotionally numb and withdrawing.
   * Difficulty sleeping and concentrating, and
fearing for your personal safety.

Any fear that Harry has of his own personal safety is
probably justified as Voldemort does want to kill him.
 I don't think it's due to PTSD. 

Webmd.com also states that the closer you are to the
event, and the stronger your reaction to it. 

Obviously Harry saw Cedric murdered and LV rise again,
so his reaction would be a lot stronger than somebody
just hearing about it or someone further away.

 PTSD can cause:

     * Difficulty sleeping.

Already discussed

     * Outbursts of anger or irritability.

Harry is extremely mad at his friends at 12 GP and
seems mad through most of the book.

    * Difficulty concentrating.

He is having a difficult time getting LV out of his
head and LV uses this to his advantage.

    * Becoming overly startled when someone surprises
 you.

     * Feelings of intense guilt (especially if you
 survived when others died).

Harry feels horrible that Cedric died.  he blames
himself for telling Cedric to grasp the cup with him.

PTSD is increased if:
 
     * You were directly exposed to the traumatic
event
as a victim or a witness.

This happened.

     * The event was significant or intense.
No arguing there.

     * You had a severe reaction to the event such as
shaking, crying uncontrollably, rapid heart rate,
vomiting, or other similar physical and emotional
responses.

Harry clutched onto Cedric's body and wouldn't let go.

     * You suffered from childhood abuse or other
traumatic experiences.

Parents killed, raised by the Dursley's.  Harry's
emotional abuse has already been covered here.

     * You are a male. Males are affected by PTSD more
often than females.

While I don't believe Harry has every symptom, I
believe he has many and his actions and reactions in
OOTP seem fitting with the trauma he experienced.

All asterik (*) marks are quotes from www.webmd.com.  
 
 Another Julie
 Ohio