On a Saturday morning, the radiant face of the sun appeared above the high castle walls. The golden rays of sunlight enveloped the castle courtyard. It was eight o’clock, and I was waiting for clients in the consultation room. Two people entered: a young, beautiful girl wearing a hijab, and a middle-aged woman dressed neatly in a “Dani” hijab. The beauty and color of the middle-aged woman’s hijab caught my attention.

After exchanging greetings, I inquired about their issue. The middle-aged woman pointed to the young girl and said, “My daughter has been suffering from severe headaches for four years. She frequently has seizures, becomes weak in her limbs, and collapses without awareness. At night, she has nightmares, and I have to sleep beside her. Her memory is very weak; when she misplaces something, she forgets where it is. She is also terrified of the dark. When she hears loud noises, like the celebration of a wedding in our village, she covers her ears and starts crying or seizing. At home, she is irritable and often fights with her siblings. I’ve taken her to many doctors, but they all say she has a nervous condition and needs to see a psychologist. We’ve consulted many religious leaders, but nothing has improved her condition. Recently, I heard that a psychologist has come to our area, and we hoped you could help my daughter.”

After hearing her mother’s heartfelt concerns, I asked the young girl if she had experienced any traumatic events. She replied, “Yes, Doctor. Four years ago, we were all sitting at home having breakfast when suddenly, I heard a loud noise. I ran to the room and found my father covered in blood. That moment filled me with an unimaginable fear, and I still have nightmares about it. Another time, I heard that the village chief had died, and that news hit me like a knife. I collapsed and broke my leg. Since then, I’ve been terrified of heights.”

When I asked her about her feelings during these episodes, she described, “I often feel uneasy; when my anxiety rises, I think I’m having a heart attack. I constantly fear that I will have another attack. I’ve visited doctors who tell me my heart rate is normal.”

I realized that my young client was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I provided her with insights about her condition and used exposure therapy techniques in our sessions. Gradually, she began to feel better. After several meetings, her mother reported significant improvements in her daughter’s condition.

This story highlights the profound impact of traumatic events on individuals’ lives and the importance of psychological treatment in improving their quality of life.