PTSD Face Mask: It Hurts. Period.
- Kiran
- Jun 23, 2020
- 2 min read
*Trigger Warning: This art blog is a depiction of a realistic fiction story that is closely related to post-traumatic stress disorder, or more commonly known as trauma. As such, the created artwork on the face mask has been exaggerated with blood, fake wounds, words, and drawings which may be triggering to some individuals, in addition to certain triggering events in the narrative. Please feel free to click away from this blog post if you think that this may be a trigger for you. Remember, your mental health comes first.
Artwork by Kiran. This face mask was used as a part of a PTSD Exhibition that was held at the International Medical University, Malaysia on the 31st of May 2019. Feel free to interpret this mask based on your own individual perspective.
PTSD: Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that is triggered by a recent or past terrifying or traumatic event, which results in flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety, among a few other symptoms.
"Failure, worthless, garbage, no good, a mistake", are among the very few of what I've been called by my father since I was a little kid. He spared me the physical cage, but best believe he got me locked up behind his fence of words. Where was my mother you ask? Oh she knew better than to stand up for me if it meant sparing herself a beating for the night. Occasionally my father used to spend the night in my room. I hope I don't have to go into details with what went down in there. Once I turned 18, I left. I got a job and a place to stay. Next up, marriage. He was amazing! Perfect, actually. That lasted for about a month. Then he started hitting me, just like dear old dad to mom. It was as if I was looking at my childhood being replayed right in front of me, only now, was the main actor. I tried to leave him too, but his enchanting words and forgiveness never failed to make me stay. Until I left for good one day, bringing my broken bones with me. Have you ever heard of the adverse childhood experience? Me neither. Until my therapist explained to me what it was. Children who suffered any form of traumatic event, including abuse and neglect. In summary, me. The adult title of it would be PTSD. I don't think I can explain to you why my luck was as such that I married the spitting image of my father. Maybe it was the only dynamic I ever knew in what to look out for in a partner. But it does not have to be that way. A cycle can be broken and it starts with you and me.
REMINDER: This story is a realistic fictional narrative, however elements such as symptoms and context in which the story takes place is based on true factual information.
1. If you would like to know more about PTSD such as the signs and symptoms, causes, treatment options, and how you can help individuals who experience trauma, click on the link below:
2. List of PTSD organizations and resources:
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