WP1: A JOURNEY TO UNDERSTAND POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
In the tapestry of human emotions and experiences, trauma stands out as a profoundly impactful thread, weaving its way through the lives of those it touches in complex and often misunderstood patterns. My journey into understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) began not in the sterile environment of an academic study but within the reality of personal connection.
It began with an effort to support a friend whose traumatic childhood and early experiences of sexual bullying instilled in her a deep-seated resentment and fear of men. An attempt to comfort her with a simple pat on the back once triggered a severe spasm that she had to be hospitalized. She also had severe depression symptoms that kept her sleepless without pills. Despite the love and safety provided by friends around her, she continued to struggle with intense self-hatred and feelings of worthlessness. She engages in self-harm and exhibits signs of suicidal ideation. Furthermore, she turns to self-injury when overwhelmed by distress, which only increases her suffering. Observing such actions causes immense distress, not to mention for whom directly experiencing it.
As I embarked on this academic and emotional journey, I encountered various research studies that illuminated the multifaceted nature of PTSD. These studies contradicted many common misconceptions about the disorder, highlighting instead its profound impact on the brain’s wiring and the individual’s behavioral responses to trauma. Learning about the biological and psychological underpinnings of PTSD, such as the hyperactivation of the amygdala and the consequent fight or flight response, offered me a new lens through which to view my friend’s actions. No longer were they mere bids for attention but manifestations of a deeply entrenched survival mechanism, a way to exert control over a body and mind that had been rendered powerless by trauma.
This revelation was a turning point in my understanding of PTSD. It underscored the importance of empathy, patience, and a nuanced approach to supporting those who suffer from the disorder. The journey also led me to appreciate the critical role of professional mental health support, which often incorporates trauma-informed care and therapy modalities designed to address the root causes of PTSD, rather than just its symptoms.
Reflecting on this journey, I have come to recognize the limitations of my initial perceptions and the value of informed compassion. My friend’s story, and the broader insights gained from researching PTSD, have profoundly shaped my views on trauma, resilience, and the complexity of the human psyche.
The research study titled “Posttraumatic stress disorder and deliberate self-harm among military veterans: Indirect effects through negative and positive emotion dysregulation” offers a nuanced examination of the mechanisms that might link PTSD severity to deliberate self-harm, particularly among military veterans. (Raudales et al. 2020) This study identifies emotion dysregulation — both in terms of negative and positive emotions — as a pivotal factor that might explain the propensity for self-harm in individuals with PTSD. By analyzing responses from 465 trauma-exposed military veterans, the researchers discovered that PTSD severity indirectly relates to self-harm behaviors through the prism of positive emotion dysregulation, rather than negative. This distinction is critical because it highlights the complex role of emotions in PTSD and self-harm: it’s not just about managing negative emotions but also about how individuals handle positive feelings. Secondary analyses within the study further delineate specific domains of emotion dysregulation, such as difficulties in controlling impulsive behaviors when experiencing negative emotions, a lack of emotional clarity, and challenges in accepting and engaging with positive emotions. These findings propose that interventions for veterans with PTSD might benefit from addressing both negative and positive emotion dysregulation to effectively reduce the risk of self-harm. This study contributes to the broader understanding of PTSD and self-harm by suggesting that emotional responses, whether positive or negative, play a significant role in the behaviors of those suffering from PTSD, pointing towards more targeted and nuanced approaches for treatment and support.
In a heartfelt narrative, a sexual abuse survivor divulges how her past trauma resurfaced through her subsequent actions and choices. (Looking for proper citation for this report) Her decision to work in the adult film industry, she later realized, was an unconscious attempt to cope with and re-enact her past abuse. Miyako Shirakawa, a mental health professional specializing in trauma, identifies this behavior as a common response among survivors, where PTSD plays a critical role. (Hirohata et al. 2002) This disorder manifests through enduring ‘trauma memory,’ where past emotions and perceptions profoundly shape current behaviors and self-image. Shirakawa underscores the urgency for proper support and therapeutic intervention, acknowledging the intricate web of self-inflicted harm, remorse, and the cyclical nature of trauma that survivors face. This emphasizes the complexity of trauma’s aftermath, where survivors navigate through cycles of pain, memory, and the quest for recovery.
Additionally, The research by Sue Austin into the nexus of self-hatred, self-harm, and existential shame within the psychoanalytic framework provides a profound insight into the complexities of self-hate, particularly in individuals grappling with PTSD. (Austin 2016) This study meticulously dissects the layers of internal conflict and trauma, demonstrating how self-destructive behaviors can often be misunderstood expressions of deeper psychological struggles. Through the therapeutic journey of a patient suffering from bulimia and self-harm, Austin illustrates the pivotal role of unresolved shame and its manifestations in self-hate. The patient’s eventual realization that her behaviors were an unconscious effort to connect with her father highlights the intricate psychological underpinnings of self-hate. Austin’s exploration sheds light on the importance of a nuanced understanding of self-hate, advocating for a compassionate and comprehensive approach to therapy that acknowledges the complex interplay of factors contributing to such profound internal turmoil. This research underscores the need for mental health professionals to delve beyond the surface, recognizing the multifaceted reasons behind self-hate to facilitate healing and recovery.
Reflecting on my journey through the exploration of PTSD and self-harm, the profound insights gleaned from diverse research papers have reshaped my understanding of trauma and its complex manifestations. The study on military veterans highlighted the intricate link between PTSD and self-harm, revealing how emotional dysregulation acts as a conduit for self-destructive behaviors. This insight challenged my initial perceptions, illuminating the nuanced ways in which trauma survivors navigate their pain.
The harrowing narrative of a sexual assault survivor’s re-enactment of harm further deepened my empathy and comprehension of PTSD’s complexities. Understanding her actions as a form of trauma re-enactment rather than mere attention-seeking behavior significantly shifted my perspective, underscoring the importance of contextualizing individual experiences within the broader framework of trauma response.
Sue Austin’s research on self-hate offered a poignant look into the internal struggle of individuals dealing with deep-seated shame and self-loathing. Recognizing these behaviors as manifestations of unresolved trauma rather than self-imposed negativity broadened my appreciation for the psychological depth of trauma’s impact.
These scholarly works and reports have profoundly influenced my approach towards mental health advocacy. I’ve grown to recognize the critical role of empathy, informed support, and the need to challenge societal misconceptions surrounding PTSD. My journey has underscored the importance of nuanced understanding and compassionate engagement with trauma survivors, fostering a commitment to advocate for mental health awareness and destigmatization. Through personal experience and academic inquiry, I’ve come to appreciate the intricate tapestry of human resilience and the transformative power of informed compassion.
My journey into understanding PTSD through personal narratives and academic research underlines the urgent need for societal and individual shifts towards a more compassionate approach to mental health. The insights gathered from various studies emphasize that empathy, informed support, and a deeper understanding of the complexities of trauma responses are essential. This calls for a collective effort to challenge and change the existing misconceptions about PTSD, aiming for a society that not only recognizes but actively supports the nuanced needs of those living with PTSD. It’s a call to action for everyone to contribute towards a more empathetic and informed community, fostering environments where healing and support are readily accessible.
Citation
Austin, Sue. 2016. “Working with Chronic and Relentless Self-Hatred, Self-Harm, and Existential Shame: A Clinical Study and Reflections (Paper 2 of 2).” The Journal of Analytical Psychology 61 (4): 411–33. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5922.12241.
Hirohata, Sayuri, Takako Konishi, Miyako Shirakawa, Chiaki Asakawa, Nobuaki Morita, and Yoji Nakatani. 2002. “[Posttraumatic stress disorder in victims of sexual assault — related to depression or physical symptoms].” Seishin Shinkeigaku Zasshi = Psychiatria Et Neurologia Japonica 104 (6): 529–50.
Raudales, Alexa M., Nicole H. Weiss, Svetlana Goncharenko, Shannon R. Forkus, and Ateka A. Contractor. 2020. “Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Deliberate Self-Harm among Military Veterans: Indirect Effects through Negative and Positive Emotion Dysregulation.” Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy 12 (7): 707–15. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000962.
