Movies of the Mind - Good Will Hunting - PTSD and the Absolute Fragility - 10/01/26

Jan, 10 2026

Secret abilities are shone the light of day by a school janitor yet deep within him lurks a young man with insecurities due to trauma.

This leads to a counselling session and a remarkable relationship between the two is born in a film that reveals how self –discovery can remind us how very human and fragile we really are.

This is the story of the 1997 film ‘Good Will Hunting’ starring the late great Robin Williams and Matt Damon in a movie that will tug at your heartstrings in every scene.

Take a look at the trailer here –

Will was being counselled for a condition that affects a lot of people – post traumatic stress disorder. However there are several questions that need to be answered. First – what is it? –

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder and mental health condition that can develop in individuals who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Trauma is an experience that is physically or emotionally distressing, and often involves the threat of harm or death.

Secondly, what are the symptoms

The symptoms of PTSD can include intense and persistent feelings of fear, anxiety, and helplessness, as well as flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive memories of the traumatic event

These symptoms can interfere with daily life, including work, school, and social relationships. Individuals with PTSD may avoid situations or people that remind them of the traumatic event, which can limit their ability to engage in daily activities.

PTSD is a complex condition that can have a wide range of symptoms, and each individual's experience with PTSD is unique. Some people may develop PTSD shortly after a traumatic event, while others may not experience symptoms for months or even years.

Finally, how do you treat it?

Treatment for PTSD typically involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that is often used to treat PTSD. CBT can help individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors related to their traumatic experiences.

Other types of therapy that may be effective for individuals with PTSD include exposure therapy, which involves gradually facing feared situations or memories related to the traumatic event, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), which uses rapid eye movements to process traumatic memories.

PTSD is a serious mental health condition that can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. With appropriate treatment, however, many people with PTSD are able to manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. However, there are many individuals around the world struggling with PTSD in areas where they don’t have access to the medical care they need. This can cause their PTSD to go untreated and even worsen over time, negatively affecting their overall well-being.

Take a look at the following 5 minute 12second film – The psychology of post -traumatic stress disorder narrated by Joelle Rabow Maletis –

Help is provided locally with counselling in Lancashire. Simply visit the following website link and fill in the required details –

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/county/lancashire

At the time of its release ‘Good Will Hunting’ won a series of awards for the actors, director and original soundtrack. Next year marks 30 years since it hit the box office and it hasn’t waned with time in fact its accuracy and portrayal of a counselling session and the relationship between the counsellor and patient is so real and convincing. This was a film that shows how even when we are at our most vulnerable, intelligence cannot win the fight, we all need help either from trained professionals or family and friends. No-one can recover from a trauma alone it’s the interconnections that aide recovery which heals the wounds leading to a successful future.

^Alex Ashworth CCG Content Creator