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Not so long ago, I decided to rewatch The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This time, though, something about it hit me differently. It wasn’t just the nostalgic coming-of-age story that stood out for me when I was a younger man—This time I viewed it through a more clinical lens and I saw how the movie does a really great job communicating the impact of trauma on the main character Charlie. While Charlie's story is unique to him and dramatized for the screen, it still provides a valuable starting point for exploring how certain forms of therapy might help those seeking trauma treatment for themselves or others.
Charlie’s journey offers a look at how trauma affects us—how it shapes our memories, our emotions, and leads us into often subconsciously changing our behavior in ways that prolong our mental health strife. Let’s take a moment to explore how Charlie’s story highlights some important psychological concepts, especially through the lens of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), and how EMDR therapy can play a crucial role in healing.
Trauma and PTSD: Understanding Charlie’s Struggles
To begin, I believe it is important to review that PTSD is a serious mental health condition that can affect anyone who’s experienced trauma, and it’s more common than we think. Research shows that nearly 8.7% of adults in the U.S. will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. Globally, over 70% of people go through at least one traumatic event, with many facing several in their lifetime. Trauma doesn’t just harm us emotionally; it disrupts how our memories are stored in our brains, and this can have long-lasting effects.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, offers a powerful example of what PTSD looks like. The main characters trauma started early with the sexual abuse he endured as a child, followed by the tragic loss of his Aunt Helen in a car accident, and then the devastating suicide of his childhood best friend. These events not only change the course of Charlie’s life but also impact his ability to function in day-to-day activities because of flash backs and other states of physical panic—classic signs of PTSD.
Fragmented Memories: How Trauma Affects the Mind and Body
One of the things I’ve learned in my training is how trauma can cause memories to fragment. In order to better understand the concept of fragmentation, imagine that unlike regular memories that tend to be cohesive and integrated, traumatic memories are often broken up into three pieces, logical thoughts, emotions, and body sensations that feel disconnected from each other. For someone like Charlie, these fragmented memories can be overwhelming because each thing could be felt at seemingly disconnected moments, eg… shortness of breath and racing heart despite being in a comforting surrounding.
For example, throughout the movie, Charlie experiences flashbacks that aren’t just memories—they’re physical sensations, emotions, and images tied to his trauma. Think about his experience with his close friend Sam. When an intimate moment occurred, and she kissed Charlie, the situation triggered intense, distressing memories of his abuse. On another occasion, Charlie dissociated from his place at a party and found himself outside in the snow picturing the passing of his childhood friend. In therapy, EMDR is used to help people like Charlie process and reintegrate these fragmented memories, body sensations and thoughts into something more self affirming. Through a process of bilateral stimulation in EMDR, clients can make sense of their trauma in a more cohesive way by redefining what neural networks are connected to their positive sense of self. This doesn’t erase the painful memories but allows people to regain control over their emotions and physical reactions.
The Role of EMDR in Healing
As I have come to discover through conducting EMDR with clients, the main goal of treatment is to help people process their traumatic memories in a way that lessens their emotional intensity to the triggers. After reducing the emotional intensity felt, the client then can install other positive beliefs about themself which align with the life they want to build. The therapy allows people to revisit painful memories while engaging in treatment, and simultaneously hold positive self beliefs overlayed with the painful memories, to create a reduction in intense emotions and physical reactions from the memories.
In Charlie’s case, EMDR sessions could help him reprocess the abuse he experienced. By revisiting those painful memories, and being guided through fully processing his fragmented trauma, memories, body sensations, and emotions, Charlie could eventually separate the automatic negative thoughts that cause symptoms that feel beyond his control. Throught treatment, Charlie could finally be able to move into his daily life unrestricted in making his own life worth living.
Hope for the Future: Healing is Possible
Watching The Perks of Being a Wallflower again reminded me of the incredible resilience within people like Charlie. Despite the weight of his trauma, Charlie’s story ultimately offers hope. With the right tools—whether it’s therapies like EMDR or other trauma focused treatment—individuals living with PTSD can rebuild their lives and move forward.
This movie also serves as a adpt reminder that many of us carry invisible wounds. The way we behave, the way we interact, often stems from past pain that others can’t see. By fostering empathy and advocating for trauma-informed care, we can help create spaces where healing isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.
Each of us can play a part in this healing process. Just like Charlie’s English teacher offers him a lifeline in the film, we all have the potential to be that source of support for others.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower reminds us of an important lesson: "We accept the love we think we deserve." But let’s remember—we all deserve love, safety, and the opportunity to heal.
If you’re feeling like past trauma is affecting your relationships or your mental health, remember—you don’t have to go through this alone. At North End Wellness, we specialize in trauma-informed care and EMDR therapy to help you process your pain and build healthier, happier connections. Reach out today, and let’s start working together on the journey toward healing.
Contact Information:
North End Wellness
Phone: (208) 803-5339
Website: www.boisecounseling.org
David Johnson, LMSW
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Boone, K., Richardson, F., & Thomas, T., (2010). War Neurosis: A Cultural Historical and
Theoretical Inquiry. Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 30(2), 109-121.
Chbosky, S. (Director). (2013). The perks of being a wallflower [Motion picture on DVD]. U.S.:
Roadshow.
National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of ethics of the National Association of
Social Workers. Washington, D. C.: NASW Press
OConghaile, A., & DeLisi, L. (2015). Distinguishing schizophrenia from posttraumatic stress
disorder with psychosis. Current Opinion in Psychiatry,28(3), 249.
Shalev, A., Liberzon, I., & Marmar, C. (2017). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The New
England Journal of Medicine, 376(25), 2459-2469.
Wakefield, J. C. (2013). DSM-5 and Clinical Social Work: Mental Disorder and Psychological
Justice as Goals of Clinical Intervention.(Editorial). Clinical Social Work Journal, 41(2),
131-138.
Wedding, D., Niemiec, R.M. (2014). Movies & mental illness: Using films to understand
psychopathology (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Hogrefe Publishing.
Charlie’s journey offers a look at how trauma affects us—how it shapes our memories, our emotions, and leads us into often subconsciously changing our behavior in ways that prolong our mental health strife. Let’s take a moment to explore how Charlie’s story highlights some important psychological concepts, especially through the lens of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), and how EMDR therapy can play a crucial role in healing.
Trauma and PTSD: Understanding Charlie’s Struggles
To begin, I believe it is important to review that PTSD is a serious mental health condition that can affect anyone who’s experienced trauma, and it’s more common than we think. Research shows that nearly 8.7% of adults in the U.S. will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. Globally, over 70% of people go through at least one traumatic event, with many facing several in their lifetime. Trauma doesn’t just harm us emotionally; it disrupts how our memories are stored in our brains, and this can have long-lasting effects.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, offers a powerful example of what PTSD looks like. The main characters trauma started early with the sexual abuse he endured as a child, followed by the tragic loss of his Aunt Helen in a car accident, and then the devastating suicide of his childhood best friend. These events not only change the course of Charlie’s life but also impact his ability to function in day-to-day activities because of flash backs and other states of physical panic—classic signs of PTSD.
Fragmented Memories: How Trauma Affects the Mind and Body
One of the things I’ve learned in my training is how trauma can cause memories to fragment. In order to better understand the concept of fragmentation, imagine that unlike regular memories that tend to be cohesive and integrated, traumatic memories are often broken up into three pieces, logical thoughts, emotions, and body sensations that feel disconnected from each other. For someone like Charlie, these fragmented memories can be overwhelming because each thing could be felt at seemingly disconnected moments, eg… shortness of breath and racing heart despite being in a comforting surrounding.
For example, throughout the movie, Charlie experiences flashbacks that aren’t just memories—they’re physical sensations, emotions, and images tied to his trauma. Think about his experience with his close friend Sam. When an intimate moment occurred, and she kissed Charlie, the situation triggered intense, distressing memories of his abuse. On another occasion, Charlie dissociated from his place at a party and found himself outside in the snow picturing the passing of his childhood friend. In therapy, EMDR is used to help people like Charlie process and reintegrate these fragmented memories, body sensations and thoughts into something more self affirming. Through a process of bilateral stimulation in EMDR, clients can make sense of their trauma in a more cohesive way by redefining what neural networks are connected to their positive sense of self. This doesn’t erase the painful memories but allows people to regain control over their emotions and physical reactions.
The Role of EMDR in Healing
As I have come to discover through conducting EMDR with clients, the main goal of treatment is to help people process their traumatic memories in a way that lessens their emotional intensity to the triggers. After reducing the emotional intensity felt, the client then can install other positive beliefs about themself which align with the life they want to build. The therapy allows people to revisit painful memories while engaging in treatment, and simultaneously hold positive self beliefs overlayed with the painful memories, to create a reduction in intense emotions and physical reactions from the memories.
In Charlie’s case, EMDR sessions could help him reprocess the abuse he experienced. By revisiting those painful memories, and being guided through fully processing his fragmented trauma, memories, body sensations, and emotions, Charlie could eventually separate the automatic negative thoughts that cause symptoms that feel beyond his control. Throught treatment, Charlie could finally be able to move into his daily life unrestricted in making his own life worth living.
Hope for the Future: Healing is Possible
Watching The Perks of Being a Wallflower again reminded me of the incredible resilience within people like Charlie. Despite the weight of his trauma, Charlie’s story ultimately offers hope. With the right tools—whether it’s therapies like EMDR or other trauma focused treatment—individuals living with PTSD can rebuild their lives and move forward.
This movie also serves as a adpt reminder that many of us carry invisible wounds. The way we behave, the way we interact, often stems from past pain that others can’t see. By fostering empathy and advocating for trauma-informed care, we can help create spaces where healing isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.
Each of us can play a part in this healing process. Just like Charlie’s English teacher offers him a lifeline in the film, we all have the potential to be that source of support for others.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower reminds us of an important lesson: "We accept the love we think we deserve." But let’s remember—we all deserve love, safety, and the opportunity to heal.
If you’re feeling like past trauma is affecting your relationships or your mental health, remember—you don’t have to go through this alone. At North End Wellness, we specialize in trauma-informed care and EMDR therapy to help you process your pain and build healthier, happier connections. Reach out today, and let’s start working together on the journey toward healing.
Contact Information:
North End Wellness
Phone: (208) 803-5339
Website: www.boisecounseling.org
David Johnson, LMSW
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Boone, K., Richardson, F., & Thomas, T., (2010). War Neurosis: A Cultural Historical and
Theoretical Inquiry. Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 30(2), 109-121.
Chbosky, S. (Director). (2013). The perks of being a wallflower [Motion picture on DVD]. U.S.:
Roadshow.
National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of ethics of the National Association of
Social Workers. Washington, D. C.: NASW Press
OConghaile, A., & DeLisi, L. (2015). Distinguishing schizophrenia from posttraumatic stress
disorder with psychosis. Current Opinion in Psychiatry,28(3), 249.
Shalev, A., Liberzon, I., & Marmar, C. (2017). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The New
England Journal of Medicine, 376(25), 2459-2469.
Wakefield, J. C. (2013). DSM-5 and Clinical Social Work: Mental Disorder and Psychological
Justice as Goals of Clinical Intervention.(Editorial). Clinical Social Work Journal, 41(2),
131-138.
Wedding, D., Niemiec, R.M. (2014). Movies & mental illness: Using films to understand
psychopathology (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Hogrefe Publishing.