PTSD in Afghanistan (Comparing to 'Under the Persimmon Tree')

 I never really understood the effects of trauma on people (specifically in war), until I read Under the Persimmon Tree by Suzanne Staples, and saw how PTSD affected the two main characters; Najmah, and Nusrat. Najmah's trauma comes from seeing her mother and baby brother (Habib)'s death. Nusrat's trauma comes from her sister and childhood best friend, Margaret's death.

     “It’s been more than two weeks since I've last spoken, and I'm not certain I will ever be able to speak again”(110).

 (Credit to: The Ranch)

Najmah’s silence is caused by a certain symptom of PTSD, only in children. Her silence also tells me that Najmah knows (even if it's subconcious) that her whole life fell apart all of a sudden, and she could be blaming herself in her silence. This symptom is called a disturbed sense of self. She feels as though everything around her is falling apart, and she may think it is because of her. This has forced her into silence, and caused her to stay silent. This small little symptom of feeling disturbed, can really have an affect on someone so much, that they don’t speak for weeks or longer.

     “I am afraid if I close my eyes I'll see my mother's outstretched arm and the stain of blood spreading around her and Habib's perfect small body, both of them still and covered with dust” (86). Another sign of PTSD is having trouble falling, and staying asleep. Najmah states that she cannot sleep because of her trauma. This also shows trying to avoid thinking and visualizing the trauma, which is a second symptom. This tells me that Najmah is definitely suffering from PTSD, and that she is going to be tired in the morning. She needs to
work, since she is a boy, and she needs to walk all day. Her PTSD will affect her health as well. This can seriously change a person’s life. I remember all the times I’ve complained about getting only 7 hours of sleep, or having a nightmare, while children younger than me can’t sleep for an hour without having to relive the nightmare of their trauma again. This must take a serious toll on a person’s life; having to do more work that usual in a war zone, and having less sleep than usual due to PTSD.


     “Until she met Faiz she felt nobody but Margaret - including her  mother - had ever gotten to know her” (54).
“Nusrat cannot explain…. specific” (99).

(Credit to: Pin Mart)

She connects Faiz to Margaret in her head. Faiz has been that one other person to always be there for her, and understand her. The first person to be that role in Nusrat’s life was Margaret. Faiz is a constant reminder of that trauma, but only because he is not with Nusrat, and is in the medical clinic. She keeps hearing about doctors who die, and bombing of clinics, which worry her, and remind her of Margaret’s death. She doesn’t want to lose anyone else, like she did her sister, and these thought are bringing back her PTSD even more, because this is the opposite of traditional treatment. This tells me that Faiz needs to come home in order for Nusrat to start to heal. Once this happens, Nusrat can start to make peace with her two halves. She has her loved one, unlike Elaine. She needs to accept this, and let it settle. When Faiz dies, and Nusrat knows it, she needs to let both of them go, and start fresh, with no ties to the past events. The effects of something that happened so long ago, shocks me. I thought that Nusrat would have made  peace with her sister’s death by now, but she is reminded of it, when Faiz goes missing, which shows that she hasn’t let go of her yet.

(Credit to: Medical News Today) 

     ”I am afraid….” (86).
Najmah’s fear is caused by PTSD, and the trauma is caused by seeing her mother and Habib die. You feel afraid, helpless, and horrified when you are suffering from PTSD. Najmah states she is afraid, and she shows her helplessness through her silence. Her life is truly horrifying, causing her trauma, and making her suffer from PTSD. We know that Najmah is afraid, helpless, and horrified. I found in my research that those emotions are normal for people who suffer from PTSD. This shows us that if Najmah keeps showing these traits, she is not healing. She needs help from someone, but because she feels helpless, and she can’t ask for help while silent, she won’t get any help. It’s hard to believe that this symptom can effect a person so much.

     You could imagine how much these symptoms would effect a person in battle. Children had to fight in the novel, so I can imagine how silent they can get. "He says nothing, but continues staring with his mouth open...." (252). Najmah's brother, who was taken by the Taliban to fight, had seen his father die, and many others. If he had been forced to fight like this, he would have had a big change of not making it. There is no doubt that some, suffering from PTSD, have been forced into battle, and have been in shock. PTSD meant death to them, not just symptoms.

    After I came upon all of this information, I was shocked, and still curious. I wondered ‘How can I help people with PTSD?’ I found a few sites that you can read as well, and help out with those who are suffering, and healing. You can donate, learn, and teach others about PTSD. I firmly suggest you should. I also suggest that you read Under the Persimmon Tree by Suzanne Staples. It is a very good read, and after you’ve read up on PTSD, you’ll find many connections like the ones above.

Click here to learn about how to treat someone with PTSD,
click here to donate to an organization for support of PTSD patients in the US.
or click here to read a blog about PTSD in Afghan women, and donate to their volunteer team
Sources:

Frey, Rebecca J., and Andrea Nienstedt. "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder." 

"Post-Traumatic Stress." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences