Unit 12

Dissertation - The Effects of War and PTSD: Media Representation of British Conflicts and Modern Warfare

Introduction

War has played a significant role in shaping British national identity throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. From the Korean War to the Falklands conflict and the prolonged wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, British military involvement has been consistently mediated through news, film, and popular culture. These representations influence how the public understands not only the political purpose of war but also its human cost. One of the most significant and long-lasting consequences of warfare is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition experienced by some service personnel following exposure to traumatic events.

The media is central in constructing narratives around PTSD, often simplifying complex psychological experiences into familiar stereotypes. Through an analysis of British war coverage and film representations, this dissertation explores how PTSD has been portrayed and how these portrayals shape public perception. By examining UK conflicts alongside Western and British films such as Rambo (1982), Jarhead (2005), Resurrected (1989), Kajaki (2014), and The Mark of Cain (2007), this essay argues that while media coverage has increased awareness of PTSD, it frequently reinforces limited and sometimes misleading representations of veterans and warfare.

Understanding PTSD in a Media Context

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a recognised mental health condition that can develop after exposure to traumatic events, including combat. Symptoms may include intrusive memories, emotional numbness, hypervigilance, and difficulties reintegrating into civilian life (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). From a media studies perspective, PTSD is often used as a narrative tool to symbolise the emotional cost of war rather than being explored in its full complexity.

Media representations frequently rely on visible or dramatic symptoms to communicate trauma quickly to audiences. This can lead to a narrow portrayal of veterans as emotionally unstable or permanently damaged. While such portrayals may raise awareness, they can also create stigma and reduce understanding of recovery and resilience. This issue is particularly relevant when analysing British war media, which has historically balanced emotional restraint with emerging discussions of mental health.