NCC hopes to raise awareness for PTSD

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can affect anyone who feels they are in danger or uncomfortable in a situation. PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or seeing a terrifying event, such as war, abuse or violence. It’s natural to feel afraid and when the fear is triggered, changes in the body occur to help defend against the danger or fear encountered.

To raise awareness for PTSD, North Central College is showcasing an exhibit titled “PTSD Nation: Art and Poetry from Survivors of War, Gun Violence, and Domestic Abuse.” Individuals who are directly affected by PTSD created the different works of art displayed in the gallery. Each piece of work is very impactful and speaks to the audience.

One piece of artwork in particular is a painting titled “Won’t Be Back” by Rena Davonne. PTSD directly affects Davonne through the suicide of her younger brother. Her painting represents the lose of her brother. Her younger brother faced a life sentence in prison for a third offense, so instead of doing his time behind bars, he chose to take his own life using a prohibited gun. Davonne’s symptoms of PTSD include obsessive investigation of any unidentifiable sound, irritability, maintaining a controlled environment and wishing to be untouched. Davonne’s tubulars (the subjects of the painting) don’t have any arms because they prefer a world without touching.

Another piece of work worth mentioning is a work of art titled “Mother” by John Trent. This abstract mask represents the consistent meanness that was his mother. As a child Trent and his siblings were extremely abused by their mother. After their father had died, their mother would physically, emotionally and psychologically abuse her children every day. This abuse left Trent disorientated, disorganized and fearful of public interactions.

PTSD can also affect someone over a long period of time. In a piece titled “Portrait” by Adriane Louise, PTSD is proven to have the ability to develop over the years. Louise represents herself in her piece of artwork to give the audience a glimpse into the need of hiding from the world. She suffered from many childhood traumas, but didn’t develop PTSD until her mid-30s when a series of traumas triggered flashbacks of her childhood, essentially “pushing” her over the edge.

Emotions about PTSD can also be portrayed through words. A poem titled “I See You Seeing Me” by Anonymous verbalizes his or her feelings through rhyme. The poem is about how he or she was re-traumatized by being judged, which intensified one of his or her biggest PTSD symptoms: generalized anxiety.

A variety of events can affect someone’s life and cause serious mental problems that lead to PTSD. Many people are unaware of how serious this disease can be and this exhibit is one step closer to helping raise the awareness PTSD needs.

You can visit the exhibit in the Oesterle Library Gallery located on the top floor. The exhibit is free to the public and is open for viewing from Feb. 8 – April 2.