Uncovering the Soul Wounds of War: A Depth Psychological Path to Healing

Abstract

This study examines the psychological and emotional harm war inflicts on veterans, particularly the emotional strain of wartime choices, the enduring impact of guilt and repressed emotions, often manifesting as symptoms related to PTSD. By exploring the inner struggles veterans face when grappling with ethical dilemmas and the personal weight of their actions during combat, this study emphasizes a vital truth: Although mental health providers within the Veteran’s Administration may already recognize these challenges, it is necessary to expand upon this awareness and implement updated, tailored approaches to address the evolving needs of veterans. Veterans often carry unspoken sorrow and the weight of untreated trauma as they navigate reintegration back into civilian life. The alchemical hermeneutic process enables this research study to blend personal storytelling with symbolic interpretation and psychological evaluation to discover the transformative aspects of trauma. Cinema plays a unique role as an interpretive tool, engaging archetypal themes—such as the integration of sorrow, psychological death, and a reconnection to feminine principles that symbolize balance and renewal. Paying attention to the body and mind’s quiet signals, those subtle whispers that often carry traces of unprocessed trauma, are an integral part of this study. Through personal or shared rituals, veterans can find safe spaces to release sorrow, reflect on their experiences, and begin to heal. When acknowledged, what may initially feel like unbearable emotional weight can become a path toward growth, helping veterans reconnect with a fuller sense of self shaped by their wartime service and their personal evolution.