Make a Recommendation Monday: [6/29/2020]
As promised in the post yesterday about PTSD, today's recommendation will be related to the same topic.
Today's recommendation is an episode of the hit show, The West Wing. Specifically, Season 2, Episode 10 "Noel". This episode shows one of the characters experiencing trauma-related symptoms after being shot by a gunman in an earlier episode. The episode is a depiction of what it is like to experience symptoms of PTSD, and how they may affect the individual's functioning in their day-to-day activities.
The character in the show meets with a "traumatologist" who attempts to assess and help the character become aware of his trauma symptoms.
Even if you have never watched the show, you can view this episode and still get a better understanding of his experiences. The show is currently available on Netflix for streaming. If anyone would like to view the episode and does not have Netflix, you may be able to view parts of it through Youtube.
**Please use caution when watching the episode, as it does have scenes of blood and loud, abrupt sounds such as glass breaking.**
One of my favorite quotes/parables is told at the end by the character Leo McGary. "This guy is walking down the street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep that he can't get out. A doctor passes by and the guy yells up 'Hey you, can you help me out?' The doctor writes a prescription and throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a priest comes along and the guy shouts up 'Father, I'm down in this hole can you help me out?' The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on. Then a friend walks by. 'Joe, it's me, can you help me out?' And the friend jumps in the hole. Our guy says 'Are you stupid? Now we are both down here.' The friend says 'Yeah, but I've been down here before and I know the way out.' " This quote speaks to the volumes that supports like friends in our lives may have. It also speaks to how a support group can work. ------ Have you seen this episode? Share your thoughts about the episode and PTSD below. Do you find it accurate? What did you like about it? (Photo credit: IMDb)