Ahsoka Tano and PTSD: How Anakin Skywalker helped her overcome trauma and find the will to live

From the beginning of Star Wars in 1977, it’s always been about more than just space battles, lightsaber duels, and strange alien worlds. Basically, it is a series of short stories that highlight the complexity of human experiences and emotions. One character who exemplifies this is Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker’s former Padawan student.

Originally introduced in 2008 Star Wars Battle of the Clones animated film, Ahsoka received mixed reviews. However, over time, she has become one of the most beloved figures in the world Star Wars universe. An important part of Ahsoka’s story arc is her ability to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a poignant and relevant issue faced by many in our real world.

When we find Ahsoka Tano again from Dave Filoni Star Wars: Ahsoka series, we see that the character has changed. He is in a dark situation, he has problems with his friend Sabine. Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka isn’t the same bubbly character from the animated shows. He is dealing with a lot of stress, anxiety and depression because of what he has experienced in the past.

Ahsoka has had a crazy life, she was a child when she was forced into war. Ahsoka’s life is filled with war and violence. For all The Clone Wars series, she was involved in battles, facing life-threatening situations and witnessing the deaths of many friends. The Clone Wars themselves were a brutal and morally challenging conflict, in which the lines between right and wrong were blurred.

The most significant trauma, however, came in the form of betrayal. Ahsoka was wrongly accused of bombing the Jedi Temple and was subsequently expelled from the Jedi Order. Although she was ultimately acquitted, her experience affected her deeply, causing her to lose faith in the institution she once revered. Then there was her experience with her Master Anakin and her turning to the dark side, which is another form of betrayal.

During subsequent appearances, particularly in Star Wars Rebels, The Mandalorianand the Ahsoka series, Ahsoka displays symptoms commonly associated with PTSD:

1. Avoidance: Ahsoka’s decision to walk away from the Jedi Order and forge her own path reflects a form of avoidance, a coping mechanism for those who are traumatized.

2. Hyperarousal: In several cases, she has been seen on high alert, always ready for threats, even in seemingly peaceful situations.

3. Reliving Trauma: His interactions, especially with figures from his past, often bring back painful memories. This re-experience can manifest as flashbacks or nightmares.

4. Mood Alterations: Ahsoka displays marked mood changes during her post-betrayal appearances, from sadness and detachment to anger.

This all comes to a head Ahsoka Episode 5 “Shadow Warrior” in which we see Ahsoka confront her former Master, Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. It is here that she is trying to continue her training and over the course of her experience with him, she is taken back to the battles they fought in The Clone Wars and Siege of Mandalore.

This whole experience is like a form of therapy and it intensifies as Ahsoka fights Anakin and in the process we see her darker Darth Vader side emerge. As Anakin proceeds to attack her, she finds her inner strength and disarms him. It is at this point that she boldly exclaims that she chooses to live.

At the end of Anakin’s lesson, Ahsoka chooses to choose life rather than fight or die. His training here is complete. Smiling at her Padawan, Anakin assures her that there is still hope for her.

Ahsoka is then rescued and is trying to continue her mission with a new outlook on life. Her whole mood and behavior change! We’ve seen her in a dark state of depression all season, but she has now come out of that depression with Anakin’s help. Her bubbly and optimistic personality is back and she is more stoic than before. This is the Ahsoka we all fell in love with from the animated series.

Aksoka needed to resolve the mental darkness she was going through. What makes Ahsoka’s portrayal special is not simply her experience of trauma, but her resilience in the face of it. Ahsoka shows that it is possible to find purpose and meaning after traumatic events. His path becomes one of helping the oppressed and opposing tyranny, particularly the burgeoning Galactic Empire.

Ahsoka’s struggles mirror those of many who deal with PTSD in real life. Whether combat veterans, natural disaster survivors, or individuals who have experienced personal trauma, PTSD is a real and challenging condition. I have had my own issues with PTSD due to my life experiences.

Ahsoka Tano’s story arc is an example of the potential for growth and recovery after traumatic experiences. His journey is inspiring and reminds us that even in the darkest moments, hope and purpose can be found. Also, one thing I particularly related to in the outcome of this latest episode was the hope that people can find themselves after going through these different traumatic experiences.

I don’t know if I’ve gotten this far with this article, but it’s something that struck me and was at the forefront of my mind as I watched the latest episode of Ahsoka.