Topic > Depiction of PTSD in the film American Sniper

American Sniper is Hollywood's depiction of the American Navy Seal, Chris Kyle's life in and out of war. Kyle's mission is to protect his comrades at all costs and he has become infamous as one of the deadliest snipers in American history. Throughout the film, Kyle struggles to be a good husband and father to his family back home while serving four tours in Iraq. When Chris Kyle finally returns home, he quickly realizes that the things he saw and did on his many tours could not be forgotten. Chris Kyle experiences many traumatic events during his four tours of duty and is later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after life at home with his wife and daughter was not enough to forget the horrors of war. PTSD is defined as emotional distress that occurs after an event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or a threat to physical integrity and that leads to avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma and feelings of emotional numbness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The diagnosis given to Chris Kyle in American Sniper is a classic case of PTSD. In the film, Chris could go through everyday activities until a sound or memory caused his entire world to collapse around him, sending him back to Iraq, reminding himself of who he is and what he had done. Chris Kyle's job in Iraq included going door to door, liberating property and killing any man, woman or child who got in the way of his duty. As a father, Chris was traumatized by these actions as his stay at home became more permanent. Chris felt uncomfortable in his own skin, anxious to be away from the battlefield, lost in thought reliving terrible war memories and unable to concentrate for long periods of time. In the film, Chris is also adamantly against his wife's efforts to discuss her experiences and, in general, seems unable to relax into his old life. At home Chris is irritable and guarded; as well as visibly disturbed when a lawnmower sounds and disoriented when a child cries. Beidel, Bulik, and Stanley state that PTSD begins with dangerous or traumatic events such as military combat, assault, rape, or observations of these things. Subsequently, when confronted with events or situations that resemble trauma, such as the crying of a child in Chris' case, the person may undergo an intense physiological reaction. The emergence of post-traumatic stress consists of a wide range of symptoms. The trauma is now a memory, a repeated and uncontrolled memory. Trauma recklessly invades consciousness and daily functions. Nightmares and flashbacks make sleep nearly impossible, because memories of the trauma become more vivid during sleep. Then there are avoidance symptoms: efforts made to avoid talking about the trauma, avoid feelings related to the trauma, or simply numbness. Withdrawal within society or in one's home is a common symptom of PTSD. Chris often daydreamed or fell asleep as if he wasn't there. His wife often made comments like, "Chris, you're here but you're not here." Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Chris Kyle began seeing a psychiatrist who had good insight into PTSD and helped Chris reconnect with his true self's desire to