Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist act, war, violent personal assault or other life-threatening events. People with PTSD can relive the event through flashbacks and nightmares; they may feel sadness, fear or anger; and they may feel detached or estranged from other people. PTSD can cause people to have trouble sleeping or concentrating, and it can significantly impair functioning in social or work situations.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the diagnostic criteria for PTSD include:
- Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence through direct experience, witnessing an event, learning that a relative or close friend was exposed to trauma, or repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of traumatic events.
- Presence of one or more intrusion symptoms associated with the traumatic event(s) beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred, such as:
- Recurrent, involuntary and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event(s)
- Recurrent distressing dreams related to the traumatic event(s)
- Dissociative reactions (e.g. flashbacks) where the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic event(s) were recurring
- Intense or prolonged psychological distress and marked physiological reactions in response to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic event(s)
- Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by one or both of the following:
- Avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s)
- Avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders (people, places, conversations, activities, objects, situations) that arouse distressing memories, thoughts or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic event(s)
- Negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two or more of the following:
- Inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic event(s) (typically dissociative amnesia not due to head injury, alcohol or drugs)
- Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others or the world (e.g. “I am bad,” “No one can be trusted,” “The world is completely dangerous”)
- Persistent, distorted blame of self or others about the cause or consequences of the traumatic event(s)
- Persistent negative emotional state (e.g. fear, horror, anger, guilt or shame)
- Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities
- Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others
- Persistent inability to experience positive emotions (e.g. inability to experience happiness, satisfaction or loving feelings)
- Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity associated with the traumatic event(s), beginning or worsening after the traumatic event(s) occurred, as evidenced by two or more of the following:
- Irritable or aggressive behavior
- Self-destructive or reckless behavior
- Hypervigilance
- Exaggerated startle response
- Problems with concentration
- Sleep disturbance
- Duration of the disturbance (symptoms in Criteria B, C, D and E) is more than 1 month.
- The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.
- The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or another medical condition.
Does Shoto Todoroki exhibit PTSD symptoms?
Shoto Todoroki is a character in the popular anime and manga series My Hero Academia. He is the son of Enji Todoroki, also known as the superhero Endeavor. Shoto experienced significant childhood trauma due to abuse by his father, who was obsessed with breeding a successor who could surpass All Might and become the number one hero.
Looking at the diagnostic criteria, there are several symptoms that Shoto exhibits that could indicate PTSD:
- Exposure to trauma – Shoto was subjected to physical and emotional abuse and neglect by his father from a young age in order to groom him into becoming an incredibly powerful hero.
- Intrusion symptoms – Shoto is shown having occasional nightmares and flashbacks related to his childhood trauma.
- Avoidance – Shoto avoids using the left side of his body and fire Quirk in order to distance himself from his father’s abusive training methods focused on strengthening his power.
- Negative alterations in cognition – Shoto displays a persistent distorted sense of blame, believing it is his responsibility to either become the hero his father wanted or to reject Endeavor completely.
- Increased arousal/reactivity – Shoto is depicted as remaining quite aloof and detached from forming close relationships with others. He also struggles with controlling his emotions when encountering Endeavor.
However, while Shoto exhibits some PTSD-like symptoms, he does not appear to fully meet all the criteria based on what is shown in the series so far. Some key considerations:
- His traumatic symptoms do not appear to last for more than a month or significantly impair his functioning. He remains an elite student and hero-in-training.
- Despite his aloofness, he is shown forming meaningful friendships with classmates like Midoriya, Iida and Yaoyorozu.
- He displays some positive character development, reconciling with his mother, starting to use his fire more, and forming an uneasy truce with his father.
Could childhood trauma still affect Shoto psychologically?
While it seems unlikely Shoto has full clinical PTSD, he may still be impacted by his traumatic upbringing in other ways. Some possibilities include:
- Attachment issues – His early emotional neglect could make it hard for him to form close relationships and trust others.
- Low self-esteem – Verbal abuse can take a toll on self-image that persists into adulthood.
- Anger management problems – Growing up in an abusive household can make it difficult to regulate anger and emotions.
- Perfectionism – Endeavor’s impossible standards may have given Shoto a relentless inner critic.
However, Shoto also shows impressive resilience and inner strength in working to overcome his trauma. With support from caring peers and teachers, he is on a path to heal and become a hero driven by his own values rather than his father’s.
Comparison to other characters with likely PTSD
It can be illuminating to compare Shoto’s experience and symptoms to other My Hero Academia characters who show stronger evidence of PTSD:
Katsuki Bakugo
- Was captured and used by villains, a severe trauma outside normal experience.
- Displays flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, guilt and shame about the experience.
- His symptoms last for months and impair his functioning as a hero.
Eijiro Kirishima
- Has intrusive memories of a middle school friend’s suicide he feels he could have prevented.
- Blames himself and has lasting negativistic beliefs that motivate him to become a stronger hero.
Himiko Toga
- Grew up ostracized and abused for her unusual desires, a traumatic developmental experience.
- Exhibits lack of empathy, unstable sense of self, anger outbursts and thrill-seeking behaviors.
- Her symptoms significantly impair her social and moral development.
While not definitively diagnosed, these three characters show more clear PTSD symptoms that persist and impair their lives. Their contrast with Shoto highlights why his trauma may not fully meet the PTSD criteria.
Conclusion
In summary, while Shoto Todoroki experienced significant childhood trauma that continues to impact him, he likely falls short of a full PTSD diagnosis based on the events depicted in the anime and manga so far. However, it will be interesting to see if future story arcs explore this theme further and reveal a deeper effect on Shoto than what has been shown to date. The effects of childhood emotional abuse can often take time to fully surface. With his classmates’ support and his own emerging strength, we can hope Shoto continues on the path toward healing and becoming the compassionate, resilient hero he strives to be.