Trauma Expert

Movies and television shows are made to help entertain. Many families and friend groups make going to the movies a recurring activity. They get ready, head to their local mall or movie theater, and eagerly stand in line to purchase movie tickets. Before finding their seats, they load up on popcorn, candy, and drinks. All to sit in a dark theater and watch the movie together. No matter what type of movie – action, comedy, drama, horror – a movie’s purpose is to captivate and engage. Unfortunately, stories are typically altered or changed to keep people interested when it comes to movies and television shows. While this is great for entertainment, it’s not the best when differentiating facts from fiction, especially when it comes to how movies choose to portray mental illness. However, according to this trauma expert, not all is as it seems in the movies. 

So if you’re wondering about the question of “Do I need therapy for trauma?” let’s learn more about what Hollywood gets wrong about trauma specifically, as well as what to look for instead as you navigate when you may need trauma therapy.

Warning – there are spoilers. 

Do I need therapy for trauma?

1. The Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of trauma in movies and television shows aren’t the most accurate. Flashbacks and nightmares may be common signs or symptoms of trauma, but they don’t always have the most accurate depiction when it comes to movies or television shows. For entertainment purposes, these flashbacks are often dramatized to entertain. During these types of programs, the responses to trauma are frequently predictable and drawn out. The reality is that these flashbacks and nightmares can be unexpected and even subtle. In the movie, The Martian, Mark Watney is left behind after being struck by a piece of metal during a dust storm. When he wakes up, he realizes that the rest of his crew has left him on the red planet, utterly alone. Watney, however, is able to put this abandonment and loss aside and focus on what needs to be done. After many sols, Watney figures out a way to get off the planet and resume life. 

Be aware of this instead: 

• You’re noticing that there’s a block in your ability to form close relationships with others
• You commonly have nightmares or flashbacks about a challenging situation, or having trouble sleeping following an event
• You take efforts to avoid people, situations, or objects that remind you of a particular event
• You tend to react to small or simple things, when no threat is present or intended
• There’s a grouping of symptoms and these symptoms are starting to create problems socially, occupationally, etc. 

2. Oversimplification

Hollywood can make it seem like trauma is a simple mental health issue. Many characters on television or in movies experience a traumatic event and must overcome it quickly for the movie to progress and not be too drawn out. Feelings suddenly disappear, nightmares are resolved, and the protagonist is ready for action. In reality, trauma can be highly complex and unique to each individual person. Trauma responses don’t go away overnight or within the timeframe of a three-hour movie. One example where this happens is in the movie, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Luke is told by the biggest villain in that universe, who has killed all kinds of species, planets, and Jedi, that this villain is actually his father. While Luke does share his feelings momentarily, the rest of the movie shows Luke carrying on about his Jedi duties. Luke does develop a sort of “savior complex” where he is focused on saving his father from the evil, which also rarely happens in typical life. 

Be aware of this instead: 

• Trauma can be an acute or complex issue, depending on its frequency and severity
• While trauma can be treated through various ways, a cause and effect situation–such as that described above, is rarely what will resolve the trauma
• Trauma treatment takes a number of sessions for mental health providers to really understand and address the problem

3. Mental Health Professionals

The characters that play mental health professionals in television shows aren’t appropriately portrayed either. Since television shows and movies are so short, they often have to stage certain acts or cut scenes. This means that someone who experiences trauma on screen can make it seem like they have one therapy session and are immediately healed. In real life, it takes several sessions with a mental health professional, as well as homework, for someone to start the process on a path toward healing.

Be aware of this instead: 

• Mental health professionals come from a variety of backgrounds and expertise – some focus on trauma treatment, while others may focus their treatment on substance use, grief, or depression, to name a few
• There’s not a “one size fits all” approach to trauma, nor to mental health professionals
• Finding the right clinician can take time as well in many cases, trial and error, until you find a professional that you click with
• There is no “silver bullet” or strategy that immediately fixes situations, as everyone is different and so are their experiences

4. The Recovery Time

Hollywood can make it seem like a traumatic event can be resolved entirely within the span of the movie. In reality, trauma can stay with someone for quite some time. A traumatic event typically doesn’t just go away on its own. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and time for someone to feel like they can move forward in their life again. For example, in Top Gun: Maverick, Maverick is having a chat with Ice Man. Maverick shares about the guilt and trauma he experienced when he watched his copilot, Rooster, die. Ice Man tells Maverick that Maverick just needs to move on. In the next scene, Maverick shows no more signs of guilt or loss and is back to being the hero. 

Be aware of this instead: 

• How quickly a person resolves their trauma will vary 
• How people address and deal with their trauma can depend on a variety of factors, beliefs, and life experiences
• Being a hero is not dependent upon whether or not your trauma gets resolved

5. How Trauma Impacts Loved Ones

Another way that Hollywood gets trauma wrong is by the primary focus typically being on the person who experienced the traumatic event. What Hollywood fails to recognize is the trauma that the family, friends, and loved ones often go through, in addition to the person initially affected. Loved ones experience the aftermath of trauma by witnessing their friend or family member try to navigate life after trauma. Family members may also not know what to say to the affected person—or, know everything to say, which usually results in being unhelpful advice. This shows a very limited view of trauma and how much it can impact not only the person who underwent the trauma but also the people who care for that person. Take the movie, Encanto. At the end of the movie, the grandmother shares about how she has been traumatized by the killing of husband after he stood up for her while they were moving to a new home. After the grandmother shares this, everyone in the family is smiling and happy together. Or take Bruno, who has had years of isolation and feelings of rejection, only to apologize for a misunderstanding and everyone in the family welcomes him back. Meanwhile, Bruno shows no signs of his former feelings of rejection or abandonment. 

Be aware of this instead: 

• Try as you may, you will only be able to address your experience of the trauma; how others experience and deal with the trauma is their path to walk
• It does not help other people for you to assert yourself in situations, assume what someone needs, or enable their journey to change
• Timelines vary for people who are working through their trauma, whether it directly, vicariously, or indirectly happened to them

Trauma Focused Therapy Adults

Lights, camera, action? It’s more like lights, cameras, and misconception. While Hollywood often crushes its goal of entertaining, it falls short of educating, especially regarding mental health and wellness. The impact of trauma should not be portrayed lightly. If you or a loved one experienced trauma, working with a licensed and trained mental health professional is encouraged. Reach out to have a free consult with Dr. Bradford Stucki, LMFT today! 

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