By: Anna Kuntz
From the beginning of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry displays many tell-tale signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition to more obvious symptoms like intrusive memories, avoidance of triggers, and negative changes in thinking and mood, Harry exhibits various changes in physical and emotional reactions that are uncharacteristic of his typical personality. Changes in physical and emotional reactions caused by PTSD include distrust of others, hypervigilance, irritability, and outbursts, as well as physical reactions like sweating, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, and shaking (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)). In this blog post, I will analyze the ways in which Harry exhibits behavioral symptoms of PTSD in three separate instances, and how others’ denial of Harry’s testimony only worsens his symptoms throughout the novel.
At the beginning of the novel, we see Harry sitting on a swing at a public park, while Dudley and his friends mock a dream that he recently had. Dudley gathers his friends to laugh at Harry and tells him that he heard him talking in his sleep, reciting the phrases “Come and help me, Dad! Mum, come and help me! He killed Cedric! Who’s Cedric, your boyfriend?” (Rowling 15). Harry immediately points his wand at Dudley, which shows the level of irritability he experiences while being tormented by his cousin. In the same chapter, the landscape quickly turns cold as dementors begin to swarm the two boys. After being knocked to the ground, Harry uses the Lumos spell to help him see in the dark tunnel as Dudley is being attacked. As Rowling writes on page 17, he “said the spell automatically.” Here, Harry is hyper aware of potential threats and does not hesitate to act in the face of danger, in this case using a spell to better his changes of escaping the Dementor's Kiss.
When Harry returns to Hogwarts, his testimony of Voldemort’s return is met with mixed reactions from other characters in the series. Those closest to Harry, including Ron, Hermione, and Sirius notice differences in him and offer their support, knowing that the events he recalls are legitimate. On the contrary, characters like Seamus Finnegan question Harry’s authenticity, saying that his mother did want him to return to Hogwarts because of Harry (Rowling 217). In addition to his peers, Professor Umbridge and the Ministry of Magic reject Voldemort’s return and go so far as to alter the Defense Against the Dark Arts curriculum to be strictly theory-based, enforcing order at Hogwarts and discouraging any preparedness for real-life combat.
Umbridge’s reformed Defense Against the Dark Arts curriculum is met with surprised reactions from students. In response to students’ confusion as to why they are not being prepared for threats in the wizarding world, she asks students: “Who do you think would want to hurt children like yourselves?” to which Harry responds, “Hmmm… I don’t know, maybe Lord Voldemort?” (Rowling 244). Harry’s bold statement in this scene mirrors the irritability and emotional outbursts that can be seen in people with PTSD.
Harry proceeds to announce that Voldemort has returned, and Umbridge tells him that Cedric’s death was merely a “tragic accident.” She says: “You have been informed that a certain dark wizard is at large once again. This is a lie” (Rowling 245). Through her condescending retort, Umbridge attempts to paint Harry as a naive and misguided child that is unaware of the reality of the world, essentially humiliating him in front of his classmates. Although she claims to care about students' wellbeing, it is evident through Umbridge’s relentless attempts to shut down Dumbledore’s Army and punish Harry for questioning authority that she cares about control more than listening to students’ concerns.
To elaborate, Umbridge’s denial of Harry’s testimony mirrors the way in which people struggling with mental health disorders are not given the same level of support as those with physical health conditions in real-life circumstances. Because no one else was present in the graveyard with Harry and Cedric to witness Voldemort’s return other than Death Eaters, Harry’s word of mouth alone is not enough to convince the wizarding community that he is telling the truth. Through their eyes, he must be making the story up in an attempt to gain popularity or sympathy. Even if some wizards do believe that Harry is telling the truth, they may choose to believe that he is lying because the thought of the Dark Lord returning elicits too many negative emotions. In like manner, those struggling with their mental health may seem completely fine on the surface: people with disorders like depression, anxiety, and even PTSD may struggle in silence and not seek help due to stigma, fear of judgment, or lack of resources.
The changes in physical and emotional reactions that Harry experiences are expressed in various instances throughout Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. After being the sole witness to the return of Voldemort and death of a beloved Hogwarts student, Harry is already isolated and struggling with the lingering trauma of the past year’s events. The negative reactions from others at Hogwarts, especially those in power, causes Harry’s anger and frustration to manifest as loneliness, much like people with PTSD in the real world.
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), 16 October 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ post-traumatic-stress -disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967. Accessed 20 October 2024.