DefinePK

Research Objective

To analyze Alex Michaelides' novel "The Silent Patient" from the perspective of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as theorized by Judith Herman, focusing on the causes of PTSD in the major characters and how they cope with it.

Methodology

Literary analysis of Alex Michaelides' novel "The Silent Patient" through the lens of Judith Herman's psychoanalytic theory of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The study examines character experiences, symptoms, and coping mechanisms as presented in the text.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD;
    A["Identify Novel: The Silent Patient"] --> B["Apply PTSD Theory: Judith Herman"];
    B --> C["Analyze Characters: Theo and Alicia"];
    C --> D["Identify Traumatic Events"];
    D --> E["Identify PTSD Symptoms"];
    E --> F["Analyze Coping Mechanisms"];
    F --> G["Formulate Discussion and Conclusion"];                    

Discussion

The novel "The Silent Patient" effectively portrays the debilitating effects of PTSD, with characters exhibiting symptoms like flashbacks, insomnia, avoidance, negative thoughts, hyper-arousal, and impulsive behavior. The study highlights how unresolved trauma from childhood and subsequent traumatic experiences manifest in adult psychological distress, leading characters to seek solace in external aids like drugs and therapy.

Key Findings

Childhood traumas and later life events, such as parental abuse, parental suicide, and spousal betrayal, are significant contributors to the development of PTSD in the novel's main characters, Alicia and Theo. Both characters resort to various coping mechanisms, including medication, psychotherapy, and substance use (marijuana, nicotine), to manage their symptoms.

Conclusion

The study concludes that "The Silent Patient" serves as a compelling literary representation of PTSD, illustrating how past traumas deeply impact individuals and lead to significant psychological disorders. The novel demonstrates that unexpressed emotions can surface in destructive ways, and characters' attempts to cope with their trauma, while sometimes maladaptive, are central to their narrative arcs.

Fact Check

* The novel "The Silent Patient" was published in 2019. (Confirmed by text)
* Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was included in the American Psychiatric Association's manual in 1980. (Confirmed by text)
* The study analyzes the characters Theo and Alicia from "The Silent Patient." (Confirmed by text)

Mind Map