After the fall of the Berlin wall there was much to celebrate as the East Berliners embraced new freedoms.
A decade on, however, there was a noticeable increase in rates of reported mental disorders.
German psychologist and researcher, Michael Linden, identified the distress as Post-traumatic Embitterment Disorder (PTED).
PTED is a psychological condition characterised by prolonged bitterness and resentment in response to negative life events perceived as unjust or breeches of trust.
Sufferers feel hopeless, cynical, angry and stuck in victimhood long after the event occurred.
Although they had new freedoms, many East Berliners faced economic hardship, lack of representation, loss of identity and a sense of inferiority and alienation in the new world they found themselves.
None of us get through life without facing injustice at some point. The important factor is our response.
We can become overly self protective and view the world through a lens of suspicion.
We can stop the clock by staying focused on the past, prolonging our pain as we mentally replay the event over and over.
We can wear our bitterness like a badge that eventually drives away those who were once close to us.
Alternatively, we can seek purpose after the event and determine to be part of change. We can take heart from those who inspire us.
People such as Bruce and Denise Morcombe who endured a parent’s worst nightmare and have gone on to champion the safety of children.
Nelson Mandella once said “As I walked out the door to the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew that if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.”
An inspiration to us all to leave behind our prison of bitterness so that we can enjoy living free.
