This book analyzes the individual and collective experience of and response to trauma from a wide range of perspectives including basic neuroscience, clinical science, and cultural anthropology. Each perspective presents critical and creative challenges to the other. The first section reviews the effects of early life stress on the development of neural systems and vulnerability to persistent effects of trauma. The second section of the book reviews a wide range of clinical approaches to the treatment of the effects of trauma. The final section of the book presents cultural analyses of personal, social, and political responses to massive trauma and genocidal events in a variety of societies. This work goes well beyond the neurobiological models of conditioned fear and clinical syndrome of post-traumatic stress disorder to examine how massive traumatic events affect the whole fabric of a society, calling forth collective responses of resilience and moral transformation.

This book examines the latest developments in theory and research in post-traumatic stress disorder. Drawing on the literature exploring personality and social psychology, it presents an integrative model of psychosocial factors affecting adjustment following traumatic stressors. It serves as an innovative contribution to the area as well as an introductory text. A main feature of the book is a series of

A Simple Guide to Understanding PTSD aims to help make understanding post-traumatic stress disorder an easier task for everyone, this is not only for those who suffer from PTSD, but to those close to a victim as well. From the origin and history of PTSD to strategies and tips to coping with and ultimately overcoming PTSD, this book will cover all that and more.

"What is happening to me? Nothing feels the same. Why me? I used to be in control of my emotions and my life. I want it back." Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can happen to anyone, including the strongest and the bravest. It makes you feel like you are losing control of your mind. Trauma is daunting. PTSD is daunting. Understanding PTSD is not daunting, or at least it doesn't have to be. In flipping through the pages of this book, you will find that it is not intimidating. ”The What and How of PTSD" strives to answer questions that arise when one faces this mysterious disorder, summarizing scientific research and clinically helpful theories using clear language, metaphors and pictures. It breaks down what happens in the brain after trauma. Those who battle PTSD can see how their minds got stuck in the past like a record that keeps skipping, and at the same time, how they can break the cycle and move on.

This book explores the complexities of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, offering an accessible guide for those without prior knowledge of the condition. This comprehensive resource traces the historical roots of PTSD, debunks common myths, and explains its various symptoms and types across different age groups. Readers will gain insights into the brain's response to trauma, potential causes, and the physiological, psychological, and behavioral impacts of PTSD. The book explores diverse treatment options, from cognitive therapy and physical activity to medications and alternative methods like animal therapy and hypnosis. Practical advice on coping mechanisms, recognizing subtle nuances of PTSD, and fostering community support is provided to empower readers in supporting those affected. Additionally, it addresses the portrayal of PTSD in media and current and future research. The book serves as an invaluable resource for understanding, navigating, and overcoming the challenges posed by this condition. Whether you're struggling with PTSD, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking to understand this condition, this book provides the knowledge and tools you need. FEATURES -Written in easy-to-understand language, making complex concepts approachable for all readers -Debunks common misconceptions about PTSD, such as the belief that only the weak are affected or that it's exclusively a soldier's ailment -Discover a wide range of web resources, including pharmacological treatment options, from cognitive therapy and physical activity to medications and alternative methods like animal therapy and hypnosis

Unlock the complexities of post-traumatic stress disorder with 'Understanding PTSD: A Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.' This essential guide delves deep into the causes, symptoms, and treatments of PTSD, offering a holistic understanding of the condition. From the neurobiology of trauma to effective therapeutic interventions, this book provides a thorough exploration of both traditional and innovative approaches to managing PTSD. With practical coping strategies, insights into supporting loved ones, and a focus on advocacy and education, 'Understanding PTSD' is an invaluable resource for anyone affected by or interested in this pervasive mental health issue. Whether you are a survivor, a caregiver, or a professional, this comprehensive guide offers the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the journey towards healing and recovery.

"If you consider Iraq—like I do, probably twenty-nine out of thirty days—to be the pinnacle of your life, then where do you go from there? And I'm sure that a lot of veterans feel that way. To them, that was it. That was everything. So now what? They have to find something meaningful and purposeful." "When I got back from Afghanistan, there was not even so much as a briefing that said, 'Let us know if you're having problems.' There wasn't so much as a phone number. There was literally nothing." "I knew it was crazy. I was thinking, the guy on the roof's either a sniper or he's going to radio ahead. And then I thought, this is San Antonio. There's not snipers on the roof, nobody's going to blow me up here." "Whenever I look at people back here at home, I know what they're going to look like dead. I know what they look like with their brains blown out or jaws blown off or eyes pulled out. When I look at somebody I see that, to this day." —Voices of veterans interviewed in Fields of Combat For many of the 1.6 million U.S. service members who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001, the trip home is only the beginning of a longer journey. Many undergo an awkward period of readjustment to civilian life after long deployments. Some veterans may find themselves drinking too much, unable to sleep or waking from unspeakable dreams, lashing out at friends and loved ones. Over time, some will struggle so profoundly that they eventually are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress Disorder (PTSD). Both heartbreaking and hopeful, Fields of Combat tells the story of how American veterans and their families navigate the return home. Following a group of veterans and their personal stories of war, trauma, and recovery, Erin P. Finley illustrates the devastating impact PTSD can have on veterans and their families. Finley sensitively explores issues of substance abuse, failed relationships, domestic violence, and even suicide and also challenges popular ideas of PTSD as incurable and permanently debilitating. Drawing on rich, often searing ethnographic material, Finley examines the cultural, political, and historical influences that shape individual experiences of PTSD and how its sufferers are perceived by the military, medical personnel, and society at large. Despite widespread media coverage and public controversy over the military's response to wounded and traumatized service members, debate continues over how best to provide treatment and compensation for service-related disabilities. Meanwhile, new and highly effective treatments are revolutionizing how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides trauma care, redefining the way PTSD itself is understood in the process. Carefully and compassionately untangling each of these conflicts, Fields of Combat reveals the very real implications they have for veterans living with PTSD and offers recommendations to improve how we care for this vulnerable but resilient population.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder? What does it feel like? And how can it be overcome? Trauma is a term that many of us find alienating and clinical. But in fact trauma is something most people encounter at some point in life, and post-traumatic stress - far from being a mental disorder - is a normal reaction to abnormal events: even breaking a bone or witnessing a car crash. Drawing on 20 years of research and clinical practice, Roger Baker explains the many symptoms of post-traumatic stress and lays out a self help programme - emotional processing therapy - which can defuse the distressing memories of trauma and reduce the occurrence of flashbacks, nightmares and tensions. Professor Baker also advises strategies to prevent post-traumatic stress in the first place. Full of real-life case studies, this is essential reading for trauma sufferers, their family and friends, and specialists alike.

This volume brings together the leaders in the field of PTSD research to present an up-to-date summary and understanding of this complex disorder. All of our current knowledge and controversies concerning the diagnosis, epidemiology, course, pathophysiology and treatment are described in detail. The evidence for efficacy for each of the different forms of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is reviewed. Particular attention is paid to at-risk groups, including minorities, and coverage of PTSD throughout the world is reviewed as well. The authors present state-of-the-art findings in genetics, epigenetics, neurotransmitter function and brain imaging to provide the most current and comprehensive review of this burgeoning field.

This book addresses the multifaceted nature of trauma by bringing together the many theoretical perspectives that explain how people cope with traumatic life experiences. Practitioners working across the people professions frequently find themselves working with service users, patients and clients who are survivors of trauma. Ranging between attachment, person-centred and anti-oppressive approaches, this text will help students and practitioners widen their approaches to such clients' experiences. Whether you are a student or practitioner of counselling, social work or mental health, this book provides the foundations for understanding people's responses and resilience against traumatic life experiences.