Understanding PTSD in Will Hunting: Defense Mechanisms Explored
School
San Diego State University**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
PSY 353
Subject
Psychology
Date
Dec 10, 2024
Pages
2
Uploaded by MateRock13901
Good Will HuntingThroughout the first half of the film, Will displays multiple forms of defense mechanismsthat ‘protects’ him from opening up or potentially re-living any of his past trauma of the childabuse he indured throughout the foster system; he displays multiple symptoms of Post TraumaticStress Disorder (PTSD). While Will has difficulty opening up to any therapist in an effective wayto help him, through shared trauma, Sean was able to get through to Will and begin helping himacknowledge that he was a victim. Will’s flashbacks and display of reckless, self-destructivebehaviors, as well as his difficulty in forming intimate relationships, all coincide with thesymptoms of PTSD. His history of abuse affects his everyday view of the world as well as hisown self-perception, which made it difficult to access the help he needed without his defensemechanisms preventing it. One example of these symptoms are shown in the argument he haswith Skylar, where he has an outburst and displays self-destructive behavior, his defensemechanism is also highlighted here in the responses he gives to Skylar in anger and not wantingto talk to her about his past even though she continuously tries to pry to help him.Sean was able to make a therapeutic breakthrough with Will after fostering an environmentthat challenged Will's defense mechanisms while also relating to his experiences of trauma. Seancontinued to remind Will, even when he criticizes Sean for giving up after his wife dies, that heneeds to go out and try even with the possibility of failing or losing the girl. Although after a fewfailed or unproductive sessions, Sean eventually is able to show Will to face his fears and leavehis protective mechanisms that are holding him back. Also, of course finally being able to getWill to see his past trauma is not his fault and he is a victim, and that he did not deserve any ofthose experiences and it doesn’t make him any less than who he is, or who he is meant to be.
Although I think that the film leaves us hoping for a better and happier journey of Willachieving his full potential, as well as Sean being able to go out and try again after the loss of hiswife, I think that a sequel might focus on Will's relationship with Skylar and moving toCalifornia. When it comes to past trauma, therapy has helped Will but there might be a future ofdifficulty for Will to fully be vulnerable and no longer display his defense mechanisms. Thesequel could show how it might be difficult for Skylar to support Will but in the end the love andunderstanding she has for his process allows her to help him when his past might come back up.While Will is a victim of child abuse and trauma that may affect him for life (although he adoptshealthy coping mechanisms), in the end it might be difficult for any future intimate relationshipsand it’s a process of finding someone that will support you while also receiving the care andhelp he needs to better himself. Also of course, it would be great to see him use his mathematicalskills towards an important career.