In her new memoir, Malala Yousafzai describes how smoking cannabis from a bong at Oxford University brought back traumatic memories of being shot by the Taliban. The activist, who was targeted by extremists in 2012 for advocating girls' education, recounts the incident in an exclusive extract from her book.
Yousafzai, a student at Lady Margaret Hall, wrote that she struggled to focus on an economics essay about monetary policy. Seeking a break, she joined friends in a campus shed known as 'the shack', where they were using a glass bong. Despite initial reluctance, she agreed to try it, believing it would not affect her.
After inhaling, she experienced a distorted sense of time, feeling as though hours had passed in minutes. Walking back to her dormitory, her legs felt heavy and unsteady. She then suffered a panic attack, with her muscles twitching and her mind racing with memories of the shooting. She recalled the sound of gunfire and the sensation of being hit, leading to a terrifying flashback.
The memoir details how the experience forced her to confront unresolved trauma. Yousafzai, who was 15 when she was shot, had previously avoided discussing the psychological impact of the attack. She writes that the incident at university highlighted the need to address her mental health.
The extract has drawn attention to the lasting effects of trauma and the challenges faced by survivors. Yousafzai's book, which includes reflections on her activism and education, is set to be published later this year.
