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Do you know the most helpful movies about PTSD, the acronym for post-traumatic stress disorder? Rather than present a list of the most shocking or extreme films about PTSD, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) believes a constructive approach is better. Thus, here is a list of the most helpful movies about PTSD.

What do we mean by helpful? Without question, living with post-traumatic stress disorder is challenging. Indeed, it is hard not just on the sufferer but on family members and friends as well. Given this toll, a constructive list of the most helpful movies about PTSD highlight both the difficulty and the solution. Thus, we want to offer a list of movies that involve healing as well.

List of the Most Helpful Movies about PTSD

1) Fearless (1993)

After surviving a plane crash, the last-minute epiphanies of Max Klein (Jeff Bridges) lead to radical behavior. Instead of contacting his family, he acts invulnerable, eating foods he was allergic to previously and is strangely unafraid to fly again. Can a psychologist (John Turturro) help bring him back to reality? When it comes to the most helpful movies about PTSD, Fearless is all about the immediate trauma and overwhelming immediacy after a traumatic event.

2) American Sniper (2014)

Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film tells the story of Chris Kyle, one of the most successful snipers during the post-9/11 conflict in Iraq. Returning home to Texas from a final tour of duty, Kyle (Bradley Cooper) is haunted by his killings of women and children. Although he knows they were enemy combatants, he keeps reliving the deaths. Finding peace at home, Kyle sadly is killed by a fellow veteran suffering from PTSD. The film shows the deep trauma of these wars.

3) The War at Home (1996)

Haunted by harrowing experiences during the Vietnam War, a young man has trouble adjusting to civilian life. He fights with his family and rejects his stern father (Martin Sheen). Starring and directed by Emilio Estevez, it faces the weight of PTSD straight on. Indeed, the film offers a microscopic examination of an all-American family torn apart by the Vietnam War. Thus, it shows the cost of post-traumatic stress disorder at home, making it one of the most helpful movies about PTSD.

4) Ordinary People (1980)

The accidental drowning of his brother in a boating accident, which he survived, traumatizes Conrad Jarrett (Timothy Hutton). Afterward, he tries to kill himself by cutting his wrists. Returning home from a psychiatric hospital, he works with a psychiatrist to heal and confront his guilt. One of the most helpful movies about PTSD for kids, the story shows how recovery is possible. Indeed, Roger Ebert wrote a powerful review of the film.

5) In the Valley of Elah (2007)

Written and directed by Paul Haggis, the movie’s title refers to the valley where the battle between David and Goliath took place. Based on actual events, the story is about a father (Tommy Lee Jones) and a police officer (Charlize Theron) investigating his son’s death. They uncover senseless crimes and extreme behavior by PTSD-scarred soldiers, including his dead son. If someone is traumatized, are they still responsible for their actions?

6) Prince of Tides (1991)

Co-starring and directed by Barbara Streisand as Dr. Susan Lowenstein, the film stars and is narrated by Tom Wingo (Nick Nolte), a High School football coach from South Carolina. Trying to help his suicidal sister (Blythe Danner), Tom hides his pain behind the Southern way. In truth, Tom has been repressing the trauma of his dysfunctional childhood in South Carolina. As his psychiatrist, Dr. Lowenstein helps him face his demons.

7) Birdy (1984)

A 1984 American drama film directed by Alan Parker tells the story of two friends before and after the Vietnam War. While Al (Nicolas Cage) is scarred from battle wounds, Birdy (Mathew Modine) is scarred within. Can they overcome the PTSD of a brutal war? Will the renewal and loyalty of their friendship lead to actual redemption?

8) The Fisher King (1991)

In Terry Gilliam’s film, Jeff Daniels plays Jack Lucas, a shock jock whose insensitive comments lead to the mass murder at a Manhattan restaurant. Later, Jack drinks all the time and works at a video store. He meets Parry, a deluded homeless man obsessed with finding the Holy Grail. Parry’s real name is Henry Sagan, and his wife was killed at the mass shooting. Afterward, Henry had a psychotic break. Both broken by the past, can they help each other in the present?

The Most Helpful Movies About PTSD Still Painful

Without question, watching movies about post-traumatic stress syndrome is not easy. Indeed, even the most helpful movies about PTSD are still hard to watch. Nevertheless, many of these movies contain lessons that might inspire healing and positive action. As a provider of PTSD treatment services, Tarzana Treatment Centers works to heal veterans and other people suffering from the effects of post-traumatic stress syndrome.