One characteristic is that it often delves deep into the psychological aftermath of trauma. The characters may struggle with issues like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Another is that the narrative structure might be fragmented as it reflects the broken state of the characters' minds. Also, themes of healing and self - discovery are common as the characters strive to move forward from their traumas.
Many veterans experience post - traumatic growth. For example, a veteran may have lost comrades in battle and initially suffered from survivor's guilt. But over time, they use that guilt as a motivation to live a more meaningful life, perhaps by starting a charity in their comrades' names. This shows how they grow from the trauma.
One post - traumatic growth story from Veterans Day 2017 could be about a veteran who lost his leg in combat. At first, he was devastated. But then, he started to focus on adaptive sports. Through months of training, he not only regained his confidence but also became an inspiration for other disabled veterans.
One key element is self - reflection. People in these stories often take time to think about what they've been through and what it means to them. For example, a survivor of a natural disaster might reflect on how fragile life is. Another element is finding a new purpose. Like the person who, after a serious illness, dedicated their life to raising awareness about that disease. Also, support from others is crucial. A person who has lost a loved one might lean on family and friends to get through the tough times and then use that experience to become more empathetic towards others in similar situations.
One common theme is the horror of combat. The stories often describe the violence, bloodshed, and chaos of war.
Another theme is the difficulty in readjusting to normal life. Things like family relationships can be severely affected. For instance, a veteran may find it hard to show affection to his family because in the war, showing emotions could be seen as a weakness. Also, the sense of hyper - vigilance is common. They might constantly be on the lookout for threats, just as they were in the war zone, even when they are in a safe environment at home.
Well, in addition to what I just said, children with post traumatic stress disorder in such a story might also show withdrawal from normal activities. They could avoid places or things that remind them of the trauma. For example, if they had a bad experience in a particular park, they may refuse to go back there. Also, changes in mood like increased irritability or sadness are often seen. Their school performance may decline as they find it hard to concentrate because their minds are preoccupied with the traumatic event.
A rape survivor had PTSD. She fought through it with the help of equine - assisted therapy. Working with horses helped her build trust again and gain confidence. She also participated in art therapy, expressing her emotions through painting. As a result, she not only overcame her PTSD symptoms but also became an advocate for other survivors, sharing her story to inspire them.
One common theme is flashbacks. Veterans often relive the traumatic events, like explosions or combat situations, in their minds vividly. Another is hyper - vigilance. They are always on edge, constantly scanning their surroundings for potential threats.
One of the well - known post traumatic novels is 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath. It deals with the protagonist's mental breakdown and her struggle with depression, which can be seen as a form of trauma. Another is 'All Quiet on the Western Front' which shows the post - war trauma of soldiers.
A novel in the post might feature elements like long-distance communication, delayed responses, and a sense of anticipation and mystery due to the time it takes for messages to reach characters.