Resolution 1, PTSD Research and Effects

Katherine piece is based very heavily on PTSD and the way this effected soldiers in the first world war. In order for me to be able to really connect with the film I have looked into PTSD and particularly the way it effects people:

PTSD

PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A definition I have found on the internet says:
'Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. Someone with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks, and may experience feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt.'

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/

On the NHS website I looked into how PTSD affects people who suffer from it and the symptoms that show...

- 'Re-experiencing' is the most typical effect and can occur in a number of way such as through flash backs, nightmares, repetitive and distressing images or sense, and physical sensations like pain, sweating, nausea or trembling.

We need to find a way to choreograph the dance to show them re-experiencing what they have been through possibly through gestural movements related to the war imagery and actions.

- Avoidance and Emotional numbing can also be an effect of this. The sufferer will avoid certain things in life which may remind them of the traumatic event and even avoid talking about it. They can go one of two ways here. One way is to busy their mind and distract themselves from the event by picking up other activities etc. Others can refuse to feel anything so they become emotionally numb leading them to be withdrawn and isolated. 

We need to consider ways in which we can show avoidance in the piece and the term isolation is also very interesting when we have two dancers. We must find a way to make them both seem isolated  even together.

- Hyperarousal refers to when someone feels on edge. Suffers can become very anxious constantly being alert and and aware of threats surrounding them. This makes them unable to relax and lead to more issues such as irritability, angry outbursts, sleeping problems and difficulty concentrating.

I feel like we can express this symptom really effectively within the dance if we use random twitches and movements. Facial expressions from the dancers could also be a key to this.

- PTSD also leads to other mental health problems such as depression, anxiety or phobias, and self-harming or destructive behaviour (such as drug misuse or alcohol misuse). It can effect every aspect of their life and is potentially a life ruining disorder. 

I really want to portray the severity of this disorder in the dance by making it as emotionally evocative as possible. A good way to approach this is to find imagery and music which will emotionally evoke us and the dancer in rehearsals.

I feel like this theme has such depth to it and there are many ways we can portray this disorder but the main priority for me is finding movement which is interpreted from this theme but is emotionally evoking as well.