PTSD in Skulduggery Pleasant Dark Days By Christian Christopherson

What is PTSD? PTSD stands for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder A disorder in response to extreme physical or psychological strain. Affects the “fight-or-flight” response in people Causes people to feel afraid or tense

Four Core Clusters Symptoms of PTSD 1st Frequent recall of an event (unpleasant) 2nd Purposely avoids situations

Symptoms of PTSD (continued) 3rd Negative alterations in thinking, moods, and emotions 4th Increased physical arousal

To be Diagnosed with PTSD 1+ Re-occurring symptom 3+ avoidance symptoms 2+ hyperarousal symptoms These must be evident for at least 1 month

Who is Skulduggery Pleasant? “Skulduggery Pleasant; wise cracking detective, powerful magician, master of dirty tricks and burglary (in the name of the greater good, of course), oh yeah, and dead!” – Derek Landy

Skulduggery and his PTSD Relation to Core Symptoms Constant recall of torture Doesn’t tell anyone of the situation in detail

Skulduggery and his PTSD (continued) Relation to Core Symptoms (continued) Doubts that he’s been saved early in the story Feel’s like he shouldn’t have been saved Constantly feels as if he’s being followed and isn’t safe

Treatment Therapy Medication Psychotherapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Antidepressants (Zoloft) Benzodiazepines Antipsychotics

References http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder- ptsd/index.shtml Hockenbury, D. H. & Hockenbury, S. E. (2014). Psychological disorders, Psychology (pp. 571-572). New York, NY: Worth Publishers. http://www.skulduggerypleasant.co.uk/books/skulduggery-pleasant/ Landy, D. (2010). Skulduggery Pleasant Dark Days. London, England: HarperCollins.