PTSD
This explainer animation addresses Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), focusing on its symptoms, how it affects daily life, and the treatment options available.
The story follows a central character who has experienced sexual assault, and through her emotional journey, the viewer gains insight into the complexity of trauma responses. The aim was to raise awareness with empathy and care, de-stigmatise mental health struggles, and encourage viewers to seek help or support others who might be suffering.
Credits
Direction, Animation & Design: Sasan Shekarestan
Voiceover: Zohreh Tabakh
Client: Digipezeshk
Tools Used: Daz Studio, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, After Effects
Challenges & Creative Decisions
One of the core challenges of this project was translating the internal experience of PTSD into visual language, in a way that was both accessible and respectful. Rather than using literal depictions of traumatic events, I crafted scenes that reflected what living with PTSD feels like: recurring nightmares, flashbacks, emotional withdrawal, and hyper-reactivity.
The visual storytelling was carefully constructed to amplify the emotional honesty of the narration. Rather than relying on dramatic imagery, I used naturalistic 3D character scenes to reflect everyday situations, like sitting in a car, walking through a crowd, or trying to fall asleep, moments that subtly anchor the viewer in the lived experience of PTSD.
These were paired with audio-driven pacing to mirror how memories and emotional triggers can intrude without warning.
