Stranger Things: How To Deal With PTSD

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a very common sequel in victims who have gone through traumatic situations. In that sense, the popular thriller and fiction series  Stranger Things  introduces us to some very interesting characters to understand this kind of sequel.

Living great adventures and defeating evil monsters is harder than it looks. After a year, during the second season, the characters from  Stranger Things  return for a new adventure . This second part is full of suspense and mystery.

Read on to learn how post-traumatic stress has affected people like Will, Eleven or Joyce. We need to warn you that the article contains spoilers. You decide whether to continue or not…

Stranger Things when the supernatural lurks

Stranger Things  is a series created by the Duffer Brothers in 2016.  Launched through the Netflix virtual platform, the series has 17 chapters divided into two seasons. The second season was released in 2017 and it has already been confirmed that a third season.

The Stranger Things series  takes place in the fictional town of Hawkins during 1983.  In this remote town is also the Hawkins National Laboratory, which handles energy research. However, the true purpose of the Hawkins National Laboratory is secret. Within its premises, some paranormal and supernatural investigations are carried out.

It was there that little Eleven grew up, a girl with unusual abilities. The scientists at Hawkins Laboratory wanted to use her powers for political ends. At the beginning of the series, Eleven escapes from the laboratory, and when he runs away, he meets Mike and his friends.

Mike, Dustin and Lucas are the group of friends of a missing child, Will Byers. Although no one knows, Will has been kidnapped by a monster from a parallel world.  In this second world, Will needs to hide from the terrible monster, suffering from hunger and cold.

The series unfolds for a week while Will’s mother Joyce and police chief Hopper are looking for Will.  Joyce and Hopper also discover the great supernatural conspiracy the government is involved in.

Post-traumatic stress disorder in season two

At the end of the first season, Will Byers is rescued from another world. This is where season two begins. His mother Joyce and brother try to return Will to a normal life. However,  Will Byers was marred by a deeply traumatic event.

Remember that trauma is a situation that threatens a person’s psychological well-being. Thus,  a trauma leads to a situation in which the person perceives a threat that generates a very intense fear. Like many survivors of traumatic experiences, Will begins to suffer from post-traumatic stress.

This disorder (called PTSD) can develop unexpectedly at any time after a traumatic situation  (it doesn’t have to be immediate).  Like trauma, PTSD is violent and unexpected for the sufferer and its effects are very varied, sometimes confused with those of other disorders. For example, in some cases, a person may experience depression and PTSD at the same time, which complicates the diagnosis.

The anniversary effect of post-traumatic stress

During the second season of the series, Will begins having panic attacks and dissociation. In addition, Will begins to have episodes where he imagines he is back in the cold world in which he was trapped.

In the series, this is explained as the birthday effect. The anniversary effect is a phenomenon that has also been observed in several PTSD patients, such as soldiers. It consists of an aggravation of symptoms and manifestations of post-traumatic stress as the anniversary of the event approaches.

Some specialists explain the anniversary effect as a peculiar configuration of factors, especially of an environmental nature, that trigger unpleasant memories and sensations. Furthermore, this effect can be triggered by smells, colors or even flavors and sounds typical of a given environment.

Often, when the anniversary date of the traumatic event passes, the symptoms of PTSD diminish almost immediately.

Other manifestations of PTSD

PTSD can manifest itself in several ways. Will Byers, the series’ main victim, suffers from post-traumatic stress far more severe than the other characters. However,  many people can be affected around a traumatic event.

Will’s friends and family also show signs of PTSD to some extent. Joyce, Will’s mother, has nervous breakdowns. Will’s friends have nightmares. Mike’s older sister, who confronted the evil creature, feels guilt and remorse.

Among the most common manifestations of post-traumatic stress, there are recurrent memories that generate great anguish. Furthermore, there are dreams that allude to the traumatic situation. A person with PTSD can become irritable and agitated. They may also have a preference for social isolation and even show hostility.

We must remember that a person can have episodes so intense that they can pose a potential danger to their own health.  In this sense, some people affected by PTSD experience nausea, stomach problems and severe migraines. Other patients lose interest in activities that once gave them pleasure.

Also, many people with PTSD may feel guilty and lonely. These symptoms can also be associated with a depressive disorder. Therefore, it is important that, after a traumatic situation, a specialist is consulted. This will help the patient to treat and overcome the possible effects of PTSD. There is nothing wrong with receiving or asking for help.

It is important that those affected by PTSD not feel embarrassed about their reactions. PTSD is a more common disorder than we think. It’s also not something that just affects people with a weaker personality. However, it can be greatly improved with the right assessment and intervention.