Trauma: The Wound Society Plants in the Human Mind
By Naser Kamali • Narrative Psychologist
Trauma is not only a sudden blow;
it is a wound that settles—slowly, silently—
into the body, the mind, and a person’s sense of self.
In modern psychology, trauma is not merely an “event.”
It is a long-term erosive process, one that wears down:
- the body
- the mind
- memory
- social relationships
- and a person’s sense of worth
This is why many people cannot point to the exact moment they were harmed.
Trauma is like the humid nights of the Persian Gulf—
it does not strike loudly;
it settles, suffocates, and steals the breath.
1) Trauma in the Body: Hypervigilance
One of the core physical signs of trauma is hypervigilance—
a state in which the body becomes “wide awake,”
even when no real danger exists.
This reaction is especially common among:
- former prisoners
- exiles
- migrants
- low-income workers
- and individuals living under heavy structural pressure
Symptoms include:
- fragmented sleep
- sudden awakenings
- heightened startle response
- intrusive thoughts
- racing heart
- the constant sense that “something is about to happen”
This is the same state described in the story of Khalo:
“Awake, awake.”
2) Trauma Is Not Individual – It Is Social
Social psychology states:
“People do not collapse in a vacuum; they collapse in society.”
Psychological breakdown rarely begins within the individual.
It grows out of structures that grind people down:
- poverty
- unemployment
- homelessness
- exile
- humiliation
- lack of support
- imprisonment
- power relations
This is what contemporary research calls Structural Violence—
a silent violence produced not by bullets
but by exclusion and deprivation.
Bijan, in the story, captures this truth in one sentence:
“Suicide is not a personal failure; it is the product of a system that crushes people.”
3) The Edge State: Between Being and Not Being
Individuals most exposed to social and economic hardship—
particularly migrants, refugees, workers, and former prisoners—
are often pushed into what psychologists call the Edge State:
- the edge of a boat
- the edge of a building
- the edge of a bridge
- the edge of a bed
- the edge of a train platform
A single step can alter fate.
At that moment:
- the body whispers: “I cannot continue.”
- the mind insists: “No one is waiting for you.”
- society says: “You are a burden.”
- trauma murmurs: “Leaving is easier than staying.”
This is the place where Khalo’s comrade stood—
between the call of the waves and the call of life.
4) Why the Story of Bijan and Khalo Is a Complete Illustration of Trauma
Three pillars of trauma appear clearly in the narrative:
1. Prison Trauma — Collapse of Identity
“You have no one” → identity fracture
2. Poverty Trauma — Loss of Worth
“You are a burden” → erasure of self-value
3. Rootlessness Trauma — Loss of Belonging
“No one is waiting for him” → destruction of attachment
These forces push a person toward the edge—
where a whisper or a silence can decide the future.
5) Psychological Analysis of “The Comrade Who Didn’t Fall Off the Boat”
1. The Cymbals (Sanj): The Sudden Strike of Death Thoughts
“The sudden strike of death crashed inside his head…”
This is an intrusive thought—
rapid, invasive, and not chosen.
Trauma commands; the person does not.
2. The Drum (Damam): The Rhythm of Pain and Social Pressure
The drum inside his chest beats:
“You’re worthless… you are extra… you do not belong…”
This is not the sea speaking—
it is the accumulated echo of structural oppression.
3. The Wave: The Pull of Depression
The wave calls:
“Come… step closer… let go…”
Psychologists call this the Second Voice—
the silent dialogue of severe depression.
4. The Shervah: The Mother’s Voice as a Protective Factor
From deep within his bones rises a voice:
“My son… don’t go… you still have roots…”
This is a protective factor—
emotional memory, maternal attachment,
the spark of identity that resists annihilation.
5. The Jashu’s Groan: Human Witnessing
A tired sailor mutters in the dark:
“Ah… my back… well done, jashu Khalo…”
This small human presence reconnects him to the world.
In psychology, this is called human witnessing—
the presence that prevents absolute isolation.
6. Captain Majid: Non-Judgmental Presence
When Khalo’s comrade chooses not to return, the captain:
- does not question
- does not blame
- does not moralize
- does not advise
He simply stands with him, and says:
“People of the sea understand one another differently.”
This is non-judgmental presence—
often more effective than any medication.
6) Conclusion
The story of Bijan and Khalo shows how trauma can pull a person toward the edge of death—
yet survival does not always come from formal treatment.
Sometimes a groan,
a glance,
a shervah,
a sentence,
or a captain
is enough to keep someone alive.
This story teaches us:
Human beings survive through social connection and by resisting the structures that crush them.
Survival itself is a form of resistance.
References
Kamali, N. (2025). Cymbals, Drum, Shervah: The Comrade Who Didn’t Fall Off the Boat.
Published at: naserkamali.com
NHS England (2023). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Overview.
Mind UK (2024). Understanding Trauma.
World Health Organization (2023). Mental Health: Key Facts.
Mental Health Foundation (2022). Suicide, Poverty & Social Determinants.
1 December 2025
