By Jill Dunbar
Residents of South Korea are currently processing the events of the last few days and the ongoing uncertainty and upheaval. Martial law in South Korea ended in 1981 with a strong consensus of wanting to protect the country against entering a similar situation again. Those who lived through previous martial law no doubt will have many challenging memories and accounts of that time.
There have been many loud and overt expressions of emotion in the past few days through conversations and protests — anger, frustration, disbelief. However, as a psychologist, I have also been contemplating the quieter and more hidden emotions which have likely been at play, particularly for some of our older generations.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental health condition that can arise in the aftermath of an individual experiencing a traumatic event or sustained threat. One of the symptoms and coping strategies often present with PTSD is avoidance, which can then lead to suppression of symptoms and a lack of awareness of the impact of trauma. PTSD can in fact lie dormant within an individual if reminders of the traumatic event are easily avoided. This can also lead to the phenomenon of dormant PTSD being retriggered in light of a reminder or similar situation to the previous trauma.
Taking this into consideration in the context of this week’s events, there are specific aspects of the announcement of martial law on Dec. 3 which heightened the potentially triggering nature of the event for individuals who have already experienced military rule. The abrupt nature of the announcement, lacking any prior discussion, consultation or suggestion within the public realm, resulted in the public receiving the information in a sudden and startling manner. Also the visuals presented in news outlets of military movements, and the reference to previous martial law and the happenings of about 45 years ago, all serve as stark reminders of past events and may be potentially triggering.
Without preparation or adjustment time, this increases the potential that dormant or suppressed PTSD symptoms may resurface for some or exacerbate untreated symptoms of long-standing PTSD.
Below are some signs that symptoms of PTSD may have resurfaced:
-Increased agitation or anxiety
-Difficulty concentrating
-Sleeplessness or nightmares
-Dissociation
-Intrusive thoughts, memories or flashbacks
-Active avoidance of news reports or conversations focused on the topic of martial law, either historical or current.
-Hypervigilance, for example becoming overly focused and obsessed with news reports and updates, or watching the streets for signs of unrest
-Increased use of substances to manage emotions
It's important to note that not everyone who experiences trauma subsequently develops PTSD. However, reminders of traumatic life experiences can still result in increased distress without reaching a PTSD threshold. Thus it remains important to check in with family and community members at times of societal unrest.
There are a few simple ways to help support someone you think may be experiencing resurfaced PTSD or heightened distress in light of recent events. Check in with them and provide them with a safe space to talk about their feelings. Acknowledge and validate how they feel, rather than trying to shut the emotions down or “fix” the problem. Offer practical support and help with tasks. Finally, without judgment or demand, encourage them to seek professional help.
Dr. Jill Dunbar is a licensed clinical psychologist, and clinical director at Adaptable Human Solutions in Seoul. Visit ahskorea.com for more information.
English (United States) ·