JaneCharlie

=CHARLIE DIAGNOSIS =  Contrary to popular belief, the human body is not a perfectly functioning machine. In fact, we are subject to many malfunctionings and mutations in almost every part of our body, including the brain. Mental illnesses and disorders are a result of a glitch somewhere in the brain, and as fragile our mind is, a major traumatic event in our lives can throw of the whole balance of our brains, which could result in the developing of a mental disorder. The Posttraumatic Stress disorder is the correct, scientific name for such a situation. The unexpected death of a family member, a witnessing of a tragic event, or some traumatic assault upon the victim can trigger this disorder.

Charlie Fineman is most definitely afflicted with some form of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The trauma Charlie suffered was losing his entire family in the tragic 9/11 terrorist attack and has never been the same since. He persistently relives the event of 9/11, he normally has a very blank expression on his face and is numb to stimuli, and Charlie has been in this state for well over a few years. His distress affects his social and occupational life, and sometimes his behavior is threatening to himself and others (once he pulled a gun on a cop). This shows that he is especially sensitive and irritable, having occasional outbursts of anger. He has some trouble concentrating ("Let me put these (headphones) back on" while in the middle of a conversation with someone else). Charlie avoids people who ask him about his family because he is not yet open enough to talk about it. Charlie has hallucinations and figments of his memory of his lost family, and often has breakdowns because of them. To deal with and overcome this sort of suffering, Charlie will need to receive some treatment.

Some treatments available to Charlie are breathing exercises to learn how to calm down before an outburst. He can practice muscle relaxation with a therapist to not only calm down but to release tension that often builds up in muscles of constantly anxious people. Exercise is another good method to relieve stress and anxiety, and if need be Charlie could take some drugs to relieve the symptoms of his anxiety and panic attacks. If he visited an actual therapist or a psychologist, he could take the time to analyze and reflect upon himself, and change his thinking and behavior through Cognitive-Behavior treatment. Most of all, Charlie should open himself up to exposure. Rather than constantly avoiding and pushing away his fears, which will only cover up the symptoms, Charlie should slowly but surely expose himself to whatever makes him uncomfortable - conversations about his family or the 9/11 attack. Of course, he shouldn't jump into it, but facing his fears will be better for Charlie in the long run. Some of these listed treatments, however, are better done with a trusted friend rather than by himself or a stranger.

As a friend to Charlie, I could help him FACE his anxiety rather than AVOID it and push it off. Acoiding anxiety is only short term and can make matters worse by prolonging the symptoms and the disorder. So instead of being his "safe guard" to rescue Charlie at the slightest anxiety-inducing situation, I would calmly help him cope through it and face it off. First of all, I would learn about Charlie's disorder as much as I can. If Charlie was practicing treatment such as calm breathing, I would defintely encourage him and maybe even do it with him at first. If he needed to face his fears, I would serve as accompaniment but not as a "life guard". Perhaps I could I ask him a little bit about his family each day so that Charlie would have to face his anxiety, but again I wouldn't push it s far that he completely loses it. Most of all, when Charlie is in a situation where his panic attacks or outbursts are coming, I would remind him to calm down and focus on a treatment skill, such as calm breathing or muscle relaxation.

Charlie and the people around him should not believe that his Posttraumatic Stress disorder is untreatable and that he will have to suffer alone for the rest of his life. With modern technology and advanced research, the mysteries of the human mind are slowly unlocking and Charlie can receive the help he needs to go back to his life before the tragic attack of 9/11. Though it will take much effort and courage on Charlie’s part, and lots of patience and love from his friends, Charlie will be able to overcome his disorder with the proper mindset and treatment.