# data[].attributes.body
An estimated 70 percent of adults in the United States have experienced a traumatic event at least once in their lives and up to 20 percent of these people go on to develop post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. An estimated 5 percent of Americans more than 13 million people have PTSD at any given time. Approximately 8 percent of all adults 1 of 13 people in this country will develop PTSD during their lifetime. An estimated 1 out of 10 women will get PTSD at some time in their lives. Women are about twice as likely as men to develop PTSD (Clancy, 2010).

PTSD may develop following exposure to extreme trauma. Extreme trauma is a terrifying event or ordeal that a person has experienced, witnessed, or learned about, especially one that is life threatening or causes physical harm.The experience causes that person to feel intense fear, horror, or a sense of helplessness.The stress caused by trauma can affect all aspects of a person’s life including mental, emotional, and physical well being. Research suggests that prolonged trauma may disrupt and alter brain chemistry. For some people, this may lead to the development of PTSD. (Clancy, 2010)

People with PTSD relive the event through recurring nightmares or other intrusive images that occur at any time. People who suffer from PTSD also have extreme emotional or physical reactions, such as chills, heart palpitations, or panic when faced with reminders of the event. PTSD sufferers may feel emotionally detached, withdrawn from friends and family and lose interest in everyday activities. Other symptoms are being on guard or hyper aroused at all times, including feeling irritable or sudden anger, having difficulty sleeping or a lack of concentration, and being overly alert or easily startled. People with PTSD may have low self-esteem or relationship problems, or may seem disconnected from their lives. PTSD symptoms usually appear within several weeks of the trauma, but some people don’t experience symptoms until months or even years later (Clancy, 2010).

If diagnosed, there are a number of effective approaches to PTSD treatment. Treatment can involve psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both. (Whylie, 2010).

# data[].attributes.body
This video was created by Buzzfeed, and really just dives into what people go through day to day and what they think when they have PTSD.

# data[].attributes.body
PTSD is a key factor to the plot of the story. Melinda was the rape and abuse victim of the book. After she was raped by the senior she was either harassed by him or bullied by the rest of the school which added to the trauma.

# data[].attributes.body
This is one of the most devastatingly true and painful portrayals of high school . The cliques, from the Jocks to the anti social students  are were created to perfection. Outsider Melinda seems somehow familiar, too. Her witty, ironic commentaries can't cover up her pain at being excluded.

Kids who are genuine outsiders stand to gain a lot from this compassionate novel. The author offers real solutions to Melinda's pain: Melinda's connection to a mentor, her artistic creations, and even her plans for a flower garden all feed her inner strength. When she's finally able to speak, readers will rejoice in her triumphs.

High school should be the best time of Melinda's life. Instead, freshman year is a nightmare as Melinda finds herself rejected by her friends, cut off from her parents, and unable to reveal a terrible secret. In fact, she isn't speaking at all. Melinda's slow healing process is a realistic and compelling one, and readers will cheer for her when she finally does use her voice.

I find this book one of the better books i have read in a long time. As it shows relatable scenarios and what a young girl had to come face to face which is unfortunately rape.

# data[].attributes.body
I have survived. I am here. Confused, screwed up, but here. So, how can I find my way? Is there a chain saw of the soul, an ax I can take to my memories or fears?
Context and Reflection:
Melinda says this quote from the book. Melinda says this when she comes to the reality of what Andy did to her. What this quote is really saying is that she has overcome her fear and levels of trauma that she was experiencing throughout the book. this is also saying that she is not depressed or down about herself and what happened to her anymore and she can be who she wants to be and put this whole thing behind her.

# data[].attributes.body
Melinda  begins her freshman year at Merryweather High School.  Over the summer, she and her friends went to a party and Melinda had an unfortunate event happen to her, she was raped by a senior named Andy. Melinda's only friend is Heather, a new student, who tries to get Melinda involved in her schemes to gain popularity.

In the school hallways, Melinda occasionally sees senior Andy Evans, and she slowly begins to face what he did to her. Whenever he sees her, he antagonizes her in ways that make her relive her initial experience with him.

After facing the fact that she was raped, Melinda begins to recover from the trauma of the event and Melinda begins to feel free after speaking up.