Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental illness that is brought about by exposure to trauma. Most traumas are involving death of a loved one, or the threat thereof, serious injury or amputation, sexual violence, or any life-shattering, or life-altering event that leaves one feeling helpless and hopeless. (Smith et. all, 2015). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is often brought upon by something incredibly terrifying and overwhelming to the experiencer. The most common group of individuals of people suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are veterans, because of the incredibly horrific things this group of people witness and commit on the battlefield. Melinda Sordino, the main character in Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak, appears to be experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after she was raped at a party the summer before the novel takes place. …show more content…
all, 2015). Those experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder commonly re-experience the trauma in a series of flashbacks. A scent, emotion, person, or anything that can be related to the time or place that the trauma occurred can trigger these flashback. Many people experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder “often avoid things that remind them of the event—for example, someone who was hurt in a car crash might avoid driving” (CMHA, 2015). Those who have increase anxiety or emotional arousal often have difficulty sleeping or focusing, cannot control their emotions and are constantly on edge (Smith et. all,