20 Best Books On Ptsd (2023 Update)

Reclaim yourself from childhood trauma–evidence-based strategies for healing complex ptsd repetitive trauma during childhood can impact your emotional development, creating a ripple effect that carries into adulthood. complex post-traumatic stress disorder (c-ptsd) is a physical and psychological response to these repeated traumatic events. a practical guide to complex ptsd contains research-based strategies, tools, and support for individuals working to heal from their childhood trauma. you don't have to be a prisoner of your past. learn the skills necessary to improve your physical and mental health with practical strategies taken from the most effective therapeutic methods, including cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt), dialectical behavioral therapy (dbt), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (emdr), and somatic psychology. when appropriately addressed, the wounds of your past no longer need to interfere with your ability to live a meaningful and satisfying life. this book includes: understand c-ptsd–get an in-depth explanation of complex ptsd, including its symptoms, its treatment through various therapies, and more. address the symptoms–discover evidence-based strategies for healing the symptoms of complex ptsd, like avoidance, depression, emotional dysregulation, and hopelessness. real stories–relate to others' experiences with complex ptsd with multiple real-life examples included in each chapter. start letting go of the pain from your past–a practical guide to complex ptsd can help show you how.

A searing memoir of reckoning and healing by acclaimed journalist stephanie foo, investigating the little-understood science behind complex ptsd and how it has shaped her life“achingly exquisite . . . providing real hope for those who long to heal.”—lori gottlieb, new york times bestselling author of maybe you should talk to someone – one of the best books of the year: cosmopolitan, npr, she reads, publishers weekly – by age thirty, stephanie foo was successful on paper: she had her dream job as an award-winning radio producer at this american life and a loving boyfriend. but behind her office door, she was having panic attacks and sobbing at her desk every morning. after years of questioning what was wrong with herself, she was diagnosed with complex ptsd—a condition that occurs when trauma happens continuously, over the course of years. – both of foo’s parents abandoned her when she was a teenager, after years of physical and verbal abuse and neglect. she thought she’d moved on, but her new diagnosis illuminated the way her past continued to threaten her health, relationships, and career. she found limited resources to help her, so foo set out to heal herself, and to map her experiences onto the scarce literature about c-ptsd.in this deeply personal and thoroughly researched account, foo interviews scientists and psychologists and tries a variety of innovative therapies. she returns to her hometown of san jose, california, to investigate the effects of immigrant trauma on the community, and she uncovers family secrets in the country of her birth, malaysia, to learn how trauma can be inherited through generations. ultimately, she discovers that you don’t move on from trauma—but you can learn to move with it. – powerful, enlightening, and hopeful, what my bones know is a brave narrative that reckons with the hold of the past over the present, the mind over the body—and examines one woman’s ability to reclaim agency from her trauma.

From the author of the veteran’s survival guide, the veteran’s ptsd handbook addresses the obstacles that veterans face when filing for benefits related to post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd). one of the greatest obstacles, john roche writes, is establishing a connection between a veteran’s service and ptsd. because both combat stressors and noncombat stressors can cause ptsd and because of the difficulties in diagnosing the condition, filing a successful claim for benefits based on ptsd is difficult. in the same accessible, self-help style used in the veteran’s survival guide, roche offers detailed instructions on how to prepare a well-grounded claim for veterans’ benefits relating to ptsd. he also discusses the four years he spent helping one veteran establish a “service connection” for his ptsd claim with veterans affairs. this book will be required reading for any veteran or veteran’s dependent who wishes to obtain his or her well-earned benefits and for those officials of veterans’ service organizations who assist veterans with their claims.

An essential piece of trauma literature, this “well-organized, valuable book” draws from somatic-based psychotherapy and neuroscience to offer “clear guidance” for coping with complex ptsd (peter levine, author of waking the tiger) although it may seem that people suffer from an endless number of emotional problems and challenges, laurence heller and aline lapierre maintain that most of these can be traced to five biologically based organizing principles: the need for connection, attunement, trust, autonomy, and love-sexuality. they describe how early trauma impairs the capacity for connection to self and others and how the ensuing diminished aliveness is the hidden dimension that underlies most psychological and many physiological problems. heller and lapierre introduce the neuroaffective relational model (narm), a method that integrates bottom-up and top-down approaches to regulate the nervous system and resolve distortions of identity such as low self-esteem, shame, and chronic self-judgment that are the outcome of developmental and relational trauma. while not ignoring a person’s past, narm emphasizes working in the present moment to focus on clients’ strengths, resources, and resiliency in order to integrate the experience of connection that sustains our physiology, psychology, and capacity for relationship.

In this volume, you'll find a complete theoretical and practical guide to making this revolutionary new model work in your practice.after a quick overview of ptsd, the first part of acceptance and commitment therapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma-related problems explains the problem of experiential avoidance as it relates to trauma and explores the verbal nature of post-traumatic stress. you'll learn the importance of mindfulness and acceptance in the act model, find out how to structure sessions with your clients, and examine the problem of control. the section concludes by introducing you to the idea of creative hopelessness as the starting point for creating a new, workable life after trauma.the book's second section offers a practical, step-by-step clinical guide to the six core act components in chronological order: creative hopelessness the problem of control willingness and defusion self-as-context valued living committed action each chapter explains how to introduce these topics to clients suffering from ptsd, illustrates each with case examples, and offers homework for your clients to use between sessions.

A powerful, evidence-based, and integrative approach to help you cope with and heal from complex post-traumatic stress disorder (c-ptsd). if you have experienced complex or repeated trauma–including childhood abuse or neglect, domestic violence, gaslighting, emotional abuse, a suicidal family member, or a family member being incarcerated–you may struggle to find a sense of healing. you probably have intense emotions, such as anger and distrust toward others. you may avoid situations or people that trigger your symptoms, and struggle with low self-esteem. and you may have gone through your whole life feeling like your reactions are "crazy" or outsized. if you are suffering in these ways, you should know that there is help. it's time to take a new approach to improve your mental health and well-being. – this evidence-based workbook offers an integrative model for coping with and healing from complex trauma using cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt), acceptance and commitment therapy (act), dialectical behavior therapy (dbt), mindfulness, and more. with this workbook, you'll learn the most effective skills for managing your symptoms, find tools for building confidence, and step-by-step guidance to help you reclaim your life. – this empowering workbook will help you: understand the cause of your c-ptsdexplore emotions and reactions such as anger, fear, hypervigilance, and avoidance – know what to do when emotions interfere with daily life – develop healthier coping strategies – find social support, or support and guidance for a loved one confidence comes from knowing what you want and need and that your feelings are valid, and having the tools you need to cope with and heal from painful experiences. this workbook will help you build that confidence, one step at a time.

Take the reins back from ptsd–evidence-based tools to help you live your best life after a traumatic event, you may find yourself surviving one day at a time, rather than feeling and functioning at your best. while recovery may seem difficult, you can change how you respond to traumatic memories and begin taking control of your life again. healing ptsd is filled with exercises, tools, and strategies based in cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt) to help you manage your ptsd symptoms, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and thrive. start the healing process with research-supported techniques and activities for finding calm, reframing your thoughts, being present, accepting the uncertain, and facing your fears. you'll learn how to identify your triggers, overcome challenges, recognize your own growth and resilience, and maintain your healing over the long term. healing ptsd includes: intro to trauma & ptsd–gain a better understanding of the different types of trauma, how it affects the brain, and the signs and symptoms of ptsd and complex ptsd. cbt for ptsd–learn why cognitive behavioral therapy is the gold standard for managing ptsd symptoms and improving well-being. tools for healing–use proven methods and strategies to help heal ptsd and live a healthier, happier life. better understand and manage your ptsd symptoms with the practical strategies and exercises in this book.

A pioneering researcher and one of the world’s foremost experts on traumatic stress offers a bold new paradigm for healing trauma is a fact of life. veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five americans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence. such experiences inevitably leave traces on minds, emotions, and even on biology. sadly, trauma sufferers frequently pass on their stress to their partners and children. renowned trauma expert bessel van der kolk has spent over three decades working with survivors. in the body keeps the score, he transforms our understanding of traumatic stress, revealing how it literally rearranges the brain’s wiring—specifically areas dedicated to pleasure, engagement, control, and trust. he shows how these areas can be reactivated through innovative treatments including neurofeedback, mindfulness techniques, play, yoga, and other therapies. based on dr. van der kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists, the body keeps the score offers proven alternatives to drugs and talk therapy—and a way to reclaim lives.

A practical step-by-step guide and follow-up companion to healing developmental trauma–presenting one of the first comprehensive models for addressing complex post-traumatic stress disorder (c-ptsd)the neuroaffective relational model (narm) is an integrated mind-body framework that focuses on relational, attachment, developmental, cultural, and intergenerational trauma. narm helps clients resolve c-ptsd, recover from adverse childhood experiences (aces), and facilitate post-traumatic growth. – inspired by cutting-edge trauma-informed research on attachment, developmental psychology, and interpersonal neurobiology, the practical guide for healing developmental trauma provides counselors, psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers, and trauma-sensitive helping professionals with the theoretical background and practical skills they need to help clients transform complex trauma. it explains: the four pillars of the narm therapeutic model – cultural and transgenerational trauma – shock vs. developmental trauma – how to effectively address aces and support relational health how to differentiate narm from other approaches to trauma treatment – narm's organizing principles and how to integrate the program into your clinical practice

A ** new york times bestseller! ** if you were free from fear, who would you have the freedom to be? in happy days, #1 new york times best-selling author gabrielle bernstein charts a clear path to releasing inner child wounds, unlearning fear, and remembering love so you can enjoy inner peace every day. – what if you could wake up every day without anxiety? view your past with purpose, not regret? live happy, peaceful, and free from fear? you can be the happiest person you know—and gabrielle bernstein will show you how. – gabby has long been loved as a spiritual teacher speaking to tens of thousands in sold-out venues throughout the world, and catalyst for profound inner change. – in this empowering book for releasing trauma, you’ll learn: why most people feel frozen in mental health patterns that make them unhappy—and what to do about it9 transformational, yet untapped, techniques for peace and genuine happiness—from “reparenting” yourself to bodywork practices that work for freeing the stuck energy of past unprocessed trauma from your body – the mindset shift that can do more for you than decades of personal work – how to speak the unspeakable and go into the places that scare you—and come away with peace of mind and freer than ever before!" this book is a game-changer filled with honesty and openness. the vulnerability gabby offers within the pages of happy days will make you feel less alone." -dr. shefali tsabary – new york times bestselling author and clinical psychologist – speaking the unspeakable – don't call me crazy – love every part – freeing what's frozen – reparenting yourself – happy days ahead “this book is my gift to you,” gabby writes. “it will answer your questions about why you feel blocked, scared, anxious, depressed, or alone, and it will liberate you from the belief system that has kept you small for so long. . . . by taking this path you will become the best version of yourself. you will become new.” no matter what you've been through in life, you can have a future filled with freedom, inner peace and happy days.

A road map for dismantling the fear and shame that keep you from living a free and authentic life. in the aftermath of stress, disappointment, and trauma, people often fall into survival mode, even while a part of them longs for more. juggling multiple demands and responsibilities keeps them busy, but not healed. as a survivor of sexual assault, racism, and evacuation from a civil war in liberia, dr. thema bryant knows intimately the work involved in healing. having made the journey herself, in addition to guiding others as a clinical psychologist and ordained minister, dr. thema shows you how to reconnect with your authentic self and reclaim your time, your voice, your life. signs of disconnection from self can take many forms, including people-pleasing, depression, anxiety, and resentment. healing starts with recognizing and expressing emotions in an honest way and reconnecting with the neglected parts of yourself, but it can't be done in a vacuum. dr. thema gives you the tools to meaningfully connect with your larger community, even if you face racism and sexism, heartbreak, grief, and trauma. rather than shrinking in the face of life's difficulties, you will discover in homecoming the therapeutic approaches and spiritual practices to live a more expansive life characterized by empowerment, healthier relationships, gratitude, and a deeper sense of purpose.

In trauma and memory, bestselling author dr. building on his 45 years of successful treatment of trauma and utilizing case studies from his own practice, dr. levine suggests that there are elements of truth in both camps. written for trauma sufferers as well as mental health care practitioners, trauma and memory is a groundbreaking look at how memory is constructed and how influential memories are on our present state of being.

The new england journal of medicine reports that 16 percent (one in eight) of returning iraq veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. such vets typically can't hold jobs. they are incapable of intimacy, creative work, and self-realization. some can't leave the house because they are afraid they will kill or be killed. in war's overwhelming violence, the soulthe true selfflees and can become lost for life. he redefines ptsd as a true identity disorder, with radical implications for therapy. first, tick establishes the traditional context of war in mythology and religion. then he describes in depth ptsd in terms of identity issues. finally, drawing on world spiritual traditions, he presents ways to nurture a positive identity based in compassion and forgiveness. it shows how to make the wounded soul whole again. when this work is achieved, ptsd vanishes and the veteran can truly return home.

"conveys the mysteries of trauma in a way that is unsurpassed in the literature . . . this is the most important book on the subject to come out in this century." –times literary supplement "compulsively readable." –los angeles times post-traumatic stress disorder haunts america today, its reach extending far beyond the armed forces to touch the lives of millions of us. morris shares stories of people living with ptsd–including himself–and investigates the rich scientific, literary, and cultural history of the condition. the result is a humane, unforgettable book that has been hailed as a literary triumph, and an indispensable account of an illness. "[the evil hours] reminded me why i wanted to be a writer in the first place . . . communicate[s] the reality of ptsd, both to those who live with it and those who never have." –david brooks, new york times "engaging . . . a work that empowers and connects people like never before. anyone who has been touched by ptsd would benefit greatly from this book." –foreign policy

Written by a team of experts in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), this workbook offers powerful, symptom-specific skills from a variety of empirically supported cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt) treatments, including acceptance and commitment therapy (act), dialectical behavior therapy (dbt), and–for the first time–cognitive processing therapy (cpt). ptsd is a debilitating condition that can leave you feeling numb, irritable, on guard, and distant. you may experience flashbacks and traumatic memories, suffer with sleep difficulties and nightmares, and struggle to manage intense emotions, impulses, and the desire to avoid closeness. but there has been rapid growth in the research and treatment of ptsd. this book combines the very best in proven-effective treatments to address specific symptoms, from the least disruptive to the most severe. presenting tools drawn from a number of approaches and treatment models–such as act, dbt, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (mbct), exposure treatment, behavioral activation, imagery rehearsal therapy, and a highly effective, twelve-session cognitive processing therapy (cpt) program, the cognitive behavioral coping skills workbook for ptsd can help you overcome the most common and most difficult challenges people with ptsd face. this practical guide is loaded with research-based skills from the most effective ptsd treatments available to help you manage your symptoms, reclaim your well-being, and maintain your recovery.

Activating your mind and body in healing complex ptsd — a theaputic workbook those affected by complex ptsd commonly feel as though there is something fundamentally wrong with them–that somewhere inside there is a part of them that needs to be fixed. though untrue, such beliefs can feel extremely real and frightening. difficult as it may be, facing one's ptsd from unresolved childhood trauma is a brave, courageous act–and with the right guidance, healing from ptsd is possible. clinical psychologist dr. arielle schwartz has spent years helping those with c-ptsd find their way to wholeness. she also knows the territory of the healing firsthand, having walked it herself. this book provides a map to the complicated, and often overwhelming, terrain of c-ptsd with dr. schwartz's knowledgeable guidance helping you find your way. in the complex ptsd workbook, you'll learn all about c-ptsd and gain valuable insight into the types of symptoms associated with unresolved childhood trauma, while applying a strength-based perspective to integrate positive beliefs and behaviors. useful features of the complex ptsd workbook include: examples and exercises through which you'll discover your own instances of trauma through relating to ptsd experiences other than your own, such as the following: example] diane was very skilled at avoiding dealing with her traumatic past. to survive, she had learned to bury her painful feelings and memories, preferring not to talk about her childhood. it simply hurt too much. exercise] in what ways can you relate to diane's story? take some time to write down any associations you have. information about common ptsd misdiagnoses such as bipolar disorder, adhd, anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and substance abuse, among others. explorations of common methods of ptsd therapy including somatic therapy, emdr, cbt, dbt, and mind-body perspectives. chapter takeaways that encourage thoughtful consideration and writing to explore how you feel as you review the material presented in relation to your ptsd symptoms. the complex ptsd workbook aims to empower you with a thorough understanding of the psychology and physiology of c-ptsd so you can make informed choices about the path to healing that is right for you and discover a life of wellness, free of c-ptsd, that used to seem just out of reach.

For twenty-five years, michele rosenthal struggled with her own post-traumatic stress disorder following a horrific illness that almost killed her. now an award-winning blogger and post-trauma coach, rosenthal has developed a program that not only helped her make a full recovery but has been helping survivors around the world move beyond their ptsd as well. in this book, she shares the very best tools that have helped so many come through to the other side of trauma. there are several elements that make ptsd recovery enormously challenging; this is a book about making it easier. the more safe and in control you feel–over your own internal experience–the more safe and in control you'll be as you examine how, when, and in what way to move toward recovery. –from the introduction the book contains dozens of brief thought pieces on the many facets of healing as well as exercises to help you orient yourself to a life without ptsd. rosenthal will guide you in breaking free of the maze of feelings and "trauma loops" that are keeping you from the life you deserve. it all starts with making simple choices that are life affirming. read this book and healing and recovery can be yours.

I have complex ptsd [cptsd] and wrote this book from the perspective of someone who has experienced a great reduction of symptoms over the years. i also wrote it from the viewpoint of someone who has discovered many silver linings in the long, windy, bumpy road of recovering from cptsd. i felt encouraged to write this book because of thousands of e-mail responses to the articles on my website that repeatedly expressed gratitude for the helpfulness of my work. an often echoed comment sounded like this: at last someone gets it. i can see now that i am not bad, defective or crazy…or alone! the causes of cptsd range from severe neglect to monstrous abuse. many survivors grow up in houses that are not homes – in families that are as loveless as orphanages and sometimes as dangerous. if you felt unwanted, unliked, rejected, hated and/or despised for a lengthy portion of your childhood, trauma may be deeply engrained in your mind, soul and body. this book is a practical, user-friendly self-help guide to recovering from the lingering effects of childhood trauma, and to achieving a rich and fulfilling life. it is copiously illustrated with examples of my own and my clients' journeys of recovering. this book is also for those who do not have cptsd but want to understand and help a loved one who does. this book also contains an overview of the tasks of recovering and a great many practical tools and techniques for recovering from childhood trauma. it extensively elaborates on all the recovery concepts explained on my website, and many more. however, unlike the articles on my website, it is oriented toward the layperson. as such, much of the psychological jargon and dense concentration of concepts in the website articles has been replaced with expanded and easier to follow explanations. moreover, many principles that were only sketched out in the articles are explained in much greater detail. a great deal of new material is also explored. key concepts of the book include managing emotional flashbacks, understanding the four different types of trauma survivors, differentiating the outer critic from the inner critic, healing the abandonment depression that come from emotional abandonment and self-abandonment, self-reparenting and reparenting by committee, and deconstructing the hierarchy of self-injuring responses that childhood trauma forces survivors to adopt. the book also functions as a map to help you understand the somewhat linear progression of recovery, to help you identify what you have already accomplished, and to help you figure out what is best to work on and prioritize now. this in turn also serves to help you identify the signs of your recovery and to develop reasonable expectations about the rate of your recovery. i hope this map will guide you to heal in a way that helps you to become an unflinching source of kindness and self-compassion for yourself, and that out of that journey you will find at least one other human being who will reciprocally love you well enough in that way.

"a pioneering researcher and one of the world's foremost experts on traumatic stress offers a bold new paradigm for healingtrauma is a fact of life. veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five americans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence. such experiences inevitably leave traces on minds, emotions, and even on biology. sadly, trauma sufferers frequently pass on their stress to their partners and children. renowned trauma expert bessel van der kolk has spent over three decades working with survivors. in the body keeps the score, he transforms our understanding of traumatic stress, revealing how it literally rearranges the brain's wiring-specifically areas dedicated to pleasure, engagement, control, and trust. he shows how these areas can be reactivated through innovative treatments including neurofeedback, mindfulness techniques, play, yoga, and other therapies. based on dr. van der kolk's own research and that of other leading specialists, the body keeps the score offers proven alternatives to drugs and talk therapy-and a way to reclaim lives.'–pub. desc.

Are you experiencing physical or emotional symptoms that no one is able to explain? if so, you may be suffering a traumatic reaction to a past event, teaches dr. medical researchers have known for decades that survivors of accidents, disaster, and childhood trauma often endure life-long symptoms ranging from anxiety and depression to unexplained physical pain and harmful acting-out behaviors. as a young stress researcher at the university of california at berkeley, levine found that all animals, including humans, are born with a natural ability to rebound from these distressing situation. – on healing trauma, this respected therapist and teacher brings you face to face with his effective new treatment, not a talking cure, but a deep physiological process for releasing your past traumas and instilling a harmonious awareness of your body. drawing on nature's lessons, dr. levine teaches you each of the essential principles of his four-phase process. you will learn how and where you are storing unresolved distress; how to become more aware of your body's physiological responses to danger; and specific methods to free yourself from trauma. – according to the national institute of mental health, more than 23 million americans suffer from anxiety disorders, many as a direct result of trauma. now you can learn how to address these and other symptoms at their source—your body—and return to the natural trauma-free state that you were meant to live in. more than six hours of instruction to free yourself from trauma through your body's built-in healing process. this program includes a 43-page study guide. – learn more about:a revolutionary method for releasing trauma, taught step by step – nature's lessons—the physiological roots of your emotions – how to determine if you are suffering the effects of trauma – where trauma hides in your body and how to release it – specific exercises to thaw frozen physiological energies – coping with surgeries, accidents, illnesses, and other stressful events – emergency first-aid measures for emotional distress – course objectives:identify the two categories of trauma-causing experiences. – explain the three innate human responses to threat. – summarize the 12 elements of renegotiation. – define the four gateways to enlightenment. – clarify the three phases of "emotional first aid."