Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, known as PTSD, is something that affects a larger percentage of the population than first meets the eye. Wit
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, known as PTSD, is something that affects a larger percentage of the population than first meets the eye. With the rise of mental health information and casual use of therapeutic terms, many people have a general understanding of the mental illness. However, there is a lack of practical and empathetic understanding of the complex disorder. Though, many people do understand the nuances of how the symptoms can appear in day to day life. One of the greatest representation of PTSD is The Batman. Everything about Batman is designed around his trauma and his subsequent PTSD. Most of the installments in the Batman franchise, show Batman's PTSD in a way that is easily understood and incites empathy within the audience. It's safe to say that The Batman is a masterclass in representing PTSD. (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd)
One of the main reasons Batman does so well in representing trauma and PTSD is the symptoms that most installments give and have Bruce Wayne experience. There are four main symptoms of PTSD: re-experiencing, avoidance, reactivity, and cognition. The most commonly known symptom is re-experiencing, which is why Batman has this symptom in nearly every installment. The reason this is the most commonly known symptom is because flashbacks fall into this category, but also includes recurring memories or dreams, distressing thoughts, and senses being stuck in the traumatic event. Batman often has flashbacks the moment his parents died. He also obsesses over their deaths, which eventually leads him to becoming the Batman.
The second symptom is avoidance. This can be staying away from places, things, thoughts, or feelings that are reminders of the trauma. While Batman does not avoid Crime Alley, where his parents were killed as his duties as the Batman take him there consistently, and he often leaves flowers for them in Crime Alley, he does avoid the thoughts and feelings of the event and his parents as much as he can. He shuts down when his parents are brought up. He also avoids as many reminders of the trauma as he can when he's Bruce. In fact, his avoidance of the emotional aspect of the event leads Bruce unwilling to accept their deaths, and eventually becoming the Batman.
The third symptom is reactivity. Reactivity means being easily, and more reactive, to stimuli. People with PTSD can be more easily startled, feel constantly on edge, or being more prone to angry outbursts. This is the symptom that also includes insomnia and sleep troubles. Batman most certainly struggles to sleep, and frequently has nightmares regarding his parent's death. Another large part of this symptom is that people with PTSD are more likely to engage in reckless and risky behavior, which is the best way to describe the actions of the Batman. Batman, consequently Bruce, is consistently putting himself in danger, putting his life and those that he cares about at risk. He is always on guard, and known for an occasional aggressive outburst.
The fourth and final symptom of PTSD is cognition relation symptoms. This includes trouble remembering details of the trauma, exaggerated feelings of blame, ongoing negative emotions, loss of interest in activities, social isolation, and difficulty feeling positive emotions. Batman nearly checks all of the boxes in this category. Bruce has exaggerate feelings of blame, wherein he truly believes that he played a part in his parents death. It is this feeling that at it's core that Batman is the answer to. Bruce also has ongoing negative emotion, experiences difficulty being happy, and has socially isolated himself. In fact, the only thing that Bruce doesn't struggle with on this list is remembering details since it's common among all installments for Bruce to remember when his parents died with clarity.
These symptoms of PTSD within Bruce are common and valid among most Batman installments, if not all of them. It's an important thing to notice and talk about because PTSD affects many people. Many people with PTSD deal with it in silence, just like the Batman. Batman, as a representation of PTSD, a symbol of trauma, actually functions as what the character intends to do with the persona. The Batman is a beacon shining in the night, uniting the people who need it most with a sense of hope and connection. It's a brilliant example of PTSD and trauma while also functioning as a relatable character to audiences experiencing similar symptoms. It shows people that they're less alone with their problems. It tells people that they can find the good things in life again and make a difference, even if everything has irreparably changed by a traumatic event, or series of events. That is something that can never be underestimated, and quite frankly should be talked about more.
