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Essay / Portrayal of PTSD in the film American Sniper
American Sniper is Hollywood's depiction of the US 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 seen and done on his many tours cannot be forgotten. Chris Kyle suffered numerous traumatic events during his four tours of duty, and was later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after his life at home with his wife and daughter was not enough to forget the horrors of war. PTSD is defined as the emotional distress that occurs after an event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or threat to physical integrity and that leads to avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma and feelings of emotional numbing. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on 'Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned'? Get the original essay Chris Kyle's diagnosis in American Sniper is a classic case of PTSD. In the film, Chris might endure everyday activities until a sound or memory causes his entire world around him to collapse, taking him back to Iraq – remembering who he is and what he did. Chris Kyle's job in Iraq was to go door to door, vacate properties, and kill 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 became uncomfortable in his own skin, anxious about being away from the battlefield, lost in thought, reliving horrible war memories, and unable to concentrate for long periods of time. In the film, Chris is also adamantly opposed to 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 beeps and disoriented when a baby cries. Beidel, Bulik, and Stanley say post-traumatic stress disorder begins with dangerous or traumatic events such as military combat, assault, rape, or witnessing these things. Later, when faced with events or situations that resemble the trauma, such as a crying baby in Chris's case, the person may experience an intense physiological reaction. The emergence of post-traumatic stress consists of a wide range of symptoms. The trauma is now a memory, a replayed and uncontrolled memory. Trauma indiscriminately impinges on consciousness and daily functions. Nightmares and flashbacks make sleep almost impossible because memories of the trauma become more vivid during sleep. Then there are avoidance symptoms – efforts to avoid talking about the trauma, avoid feelings related to the trauma, or simply numbness. Withdrawal from society or the home is a common symptom of PTSD. Chris would often daydream or relax as if he wasn't there. His wife often made comments like, "Chris, you're here but you're not here." Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Personalized Essay Chris Kyle began seeing a psychiatrist who had a good understanding of PTSD and helped Chris reconnect with his own desire to