Hello mvd, inspired by your post.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mvd182  Jack, my character, suffers from PTSD, which he acquired in the service of the military. He has hallucinations, (Is this accurate?)
In my desperation to make this character likeable (Read: Familiar) to those who may someday read this book I have sidestepped, in my ignorance, the aspect of a possible change in behavior such as anger and seemingly incomprehensible rage. I instead decided to allow him the option to be morose and unresponsive as if in a waking coma. |
Hello mvd,
What a damn' brilliant trip this is for me this morning. (lol). All kidding aside. I love it!
The topic, the developing ideas, the thought and your revealed efforts and work that you're putting into this book. I mean even coming here and introducing yourself. I read every word of what you wrote above.
The reason I joke, and comment a brilliant trip for me this morning, is bc some VERY close similarities between your character Jack and let's say my step-dad from the past (for 20+ yrs.)
(laughing my butt off right now)
His name was Jack. He most likely and almost definately suffered from PTSD and yes, it was from his service in the military. From what I know of that was he flew or piloted planes and believed himself responsible for the dropping of bombs and killing of lives in, I believe it was WWII. Among other symptoms, he returned with a complicated symptom of claustophobia, that He suffered with.
Yes, he had both hallucinations and flashbacks, and now I get it as to why while we slept, he was generally awake all night lurking about the house when he couldn't sleep.
Reading your post has brought to my mind new rememberance and awarenesses, that I had once overlooked as his condition was complicated with a comorbid diagnosis of bipolar /manic depression. New memory: perhaps a symptom for your character Jack. Back yrs. ago I was warned not to go near anywhere's near him while he slept bc he was liable to wake suddenly and start fighting and attacking, before knowing what the hell was going on.
He was too often delusional off his med's. And, yet this is how he preferred it, bc the alternative for him was accept the VA's shipments of med's and feel and become that of existing in a "waking coma."
Mustn't forget the forever hyperviglance and sometimes exaggerated response of paranoia and impending threat that sometimes overcomes some extreme PTSD sufferers.
Oh' and as for includ. the aspect of a change in behavior such as Anger and incomprehensible rage(s). Great and almost necessary idea for the character of traumatized, left ill and untreated (or mistreated) PTSD sufferer and soldier.
You could really do well with your book, given much more of your research (factual), work (time), creativity (inspiration) and feedback (shared experience).
Sh't, if you want your guy (character) to suffer and scratch involuntarily, have him do so. This could be for a number of related reasons. Ask any dermatologist if too much stress can cause itchy/scratchy skin or skin rashes, and even without drug addiction and they'll tell you yes, and there is even a name for it. Also, bc many soldiers (now with PTSD or developing PTSD) do return and are in desperate need of real and effective proper diagnosis and medical care (mind & body), and simply don't receive either then perhaps this nice guy Jack could also become a drug addicted Jack, from either alcohol abuse, too frequent recreational drug use, or improper diagnosis and/or treatment for his PTSD. I mean this is one of many openings for deliberating further material on pharmacueticals and presenting it. I mean, many a good man I presume gets highly encouraged and turned into a drug addict and at the hands of "helping", univolved psychiatric professionals. So there again, you could have the guy scratching involutarily from his new found and added drug addiction.
(Thank you Doc., now wtf do I do), I can just imagine the vet PTSD sufferer sarcastically thinking now.
As for portraying him as a good father and likeable guy who holds the determination to overcome his PTSD or perhaps PTSD and comorbid/secondary manifesations and/or conditions, why not.
The severe, internal, wrongfully internalized guilt and suicidal ideational thoughts that the PTSD sufferer battles with within themselves, and sometimes explodes in frustration and anger with, often does not reflect the true heart or personality of the man/woman.
Some people (which naturally would incl. PTSD sufferers), have hearts of gold so to speak, or charismatic personalties and additional charm. If that is portrayed in his character, showing him motivated to good will then you'll many of openings for speaking of his good fatherly love, husb. too if you're so inclined, and yet an ongoing and continuing battle, silently within himself and his mind, body and will.
Sh't you could have even have this sufferer and vet, by exceptional trait and character, expressing/acting-out, or more severely taking out his anger and rage upon himself and apart from others. Rather than the sometimes more often than not, reality of him/her lashing out at, exploiting and abusing innocent family loved one and friends. .........
.........I mean up of course to the point in which he (first treats and manages any comorbid or second. cond. you may or may not choose to give him), addresses and resolves his trauma and learns to live in far more peace and manageability of his life then ever before.
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mvd182, I like your "go get 'em tiger!" attitude. And, much appreciate the unintended motivation that your post left me with, as it expanded my thoughts and got me thinking and remembering certain things again, but in a different light.
Hope you keep up all your efforts in your book and perhaps consider a nicotine patch, as will I "consider one"....as sufferer or not. Cigg' nicotine addiction .............
We know that right!
Anyhow, take care and please excuse my enormous post. My excuse is, I once and for a long time dreamnt of writing a book while exposing and revealing many a good and bad characters, agonizing and facinating symptomology of exposure to severe nuero., mental, psyche' and spiritual drama and disorder, and then while in its piece expressing some of my own heart of trauma. So if anything at all here stimulates your thought or helps, great. If not, great! But, in it all take care and lift yourself when discouraged in your ambition.
Please let us know when your book is published, as I'd much enjoy the read.
Now if I have to proofread any of this for error, it's never going to get posted, so here goes risk and room for error. Why not?
Take Care, mvd..........
Hope