By: Olivia Desher
Throughout Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, we see Harry having violent flashbacks to Cedric's death. These memories, similar to what happens in PTSD, invade his mind rapidly and unexpectly. Intrusive memories in PTSD are distressing images and flashbacks of a traumatic event. These memories invade the mind over and over again, even when you don't want them to. Sometimes they feel so vivid to the person affected that they feel as if the traumatic event is recurring. The intensity of these flashbacks are overwhelming as he relives this fear and guilt he felt that night on a constant loop. On top of the guilt that Harry re-experiences regarding his death, Harry’s dreams become even more disturbing once we discover there is a magical link between him and Voldemort's mind. Harry is experiencing what are similar to visions of what Voldemort is doing in present time. This constant terror and confusion makes Harry feel unsettled, which makes him experience high anxiety and mood swings.
Near the end of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Cedric Diggory dies at the hands of Peter Pettigrew and Voldemort. This scene marks the turning point for Harry and the series as a whole as Harry loses his innocence and becomes traumatized. In the very beginning of next book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, we read about Harry grappling with disturbing dreams that are haunting him throughout the night. “... he had nothing to look forward to but another restless, disturbed night, because even when he escaped nightmares about Cedric he had unsettling dreams about long dark corridors, all finishing in dead ends and locked doors, which he supposed had something to do with the trapped feeling he had when he was awake,” (Rowling 9). Harry experiences a profound feeling of entrapment which has no escape. On top of this, his growing feelings of isolation created by Ron and Hermoine since they have not sent him any letters increases his feelings of anxiety and depression. Harry is facing a sense of being out of control in his life and makes him feel powerless.
In this book, we soon discover that Harry’s nightmares are more than just bad dreams. Not only is he remembering and feeling guilt for Cedric's death, he has these really vivid experiences because of a magical link between his mind and Voldemort's. Voldemort and Harry share a mental connection which allows Harry to access one more thoughts, emotions and actions. Many of Harry's nightmares are not even of his own memories but a vision of what Voldemort is doing in present time. One example of this is when Harry dreamed of Nagini attacking Mr. Weasley at the Ministry of Magic. When he was awoken and brought to Dumbledore, it was confirmed that Mr. Weasley actually was attacked and these dreams that he has been having aren't just dreams but actually occurring. Harry feels Voldemort’s anger and frustration almost as if they were his own, leading Harry to feel so confused and out of control of his own mind. This blur between what is Harry's reality and dream creates a struggle of his safety. It creates a sense of paranoia that Voldemort could have access to his own mind. Ultimately, Harry’s dreams in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix illustrate how his trauma can deeply affect his mental health, especially when the connection with Voldemort adds another layer of manipulation into his life.
Overall, the impact that occurs on Harry's mental health is so significant in this book. Between Cedric's death and Voldemort having a mental connection with Harry, it leads him to emotional distress and instability. He constantly relives Cedric’s death and these memories intrude on him without a warning. This is a similar symptom to what those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) deal with. The connection between Harry's mind and Voldemort makes Harry feel paranoid and unsure of what is reality and what is not. The fear of the immense power that Voldemort holds over Harry’s mind creates vulnerability. Voldemort can manipulate him at any point, which would make Harry absolutely powerless. The extreme paranoia rushing through Harry allows him to easily withdraw from others. He feels he can trust no one, not even his best friends Ron and Hermione. He also does not think that anyone can really understand what he's experiencing which makes him want to battle his own demons alone, furthering this alienation instead of seeking help. In conclusion, the intrusive memories are a psychological burden for Harry. His flashbacks, nightmares, and hallucinations further exacerbate his emotional state, which could be a clear representation of someone who has PTSD.
Works Cited
Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Bloomsbury, 2014.
“Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)” Mayo Clinic, 1994-2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ post-traumatic-stress -disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967