Shock Waves
A Practical Guide to Living with a Loved One's PTSD
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- £6.99
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- £6.99
Publisher Description
A user-friendly guide to helping a loved one with post-traumatic stress disorder--while taking care of yourself.
In the United States, about 60 percent of men and 50 percent of women experience, witness, or are affected by a traumatic event in their lifetimes. Many of them (8 percent of men and 20 percent of women) may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)--a life-altering anxiety disorder. Once connected mainly with veterans of war, PTSD is now being diagnosed in many situations that cause extreme trauma such as rape, physical attacks or abuse, accidents, terrorist incidents, or natural disasters. The millions of family members of those who have PTSD also suffer, not knowing how to help their loved one recover from the pain.Shock Waves is a practical, user-friendly guide for those who love someone suffering from this often debilitating anxiety disorder, whether that person is a survivor of war or of another harrowing situation or event. Through her own experience, extensive research, advice from mental health professionals, and interviews with those working through PTSD and their families, Cynthia Orange shows readers how to identify what PTSD symptoms look like in real life, respond to substance abuse and other co-occurring disorders, manage their reactions to a loved one's violence and rage, find effective professional help, and prevent their children from experiencing secondary trauma.Each section of Shock Waves includes questions and exercises to help readers incorporate the book's lessons into their daily lives and interactions with their traumatized loved ones
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Of those affected by trauma, research shows that 8% of men and 20% of women could develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Orange (Sing Your Own Song) has personal experience with her topic; her husband, a Vietnam veteran, was diagnosed with PTSD after its symptoms had impacted their lives for years. Using contributor stories, the author illustrates the varied paths PTSD can take and guides readers through the journey to recovery, "a life-long process that improves all aspects of ourselves: body, mind, and spirit." Orange believes that choice plays a major role in recovery. "Each day we can decide to blame trauma or our loved one for our actions and feelings or we can take responsibility for our own life and growth." Ways of diagnosing PTSD and information on the warning signs of suicide, trauma responses, and the affect of trauma on loved ones are also discussed, as are ways to honor grief, find a therapist, provide self-care, rebuild a life, find joy, and parent while dealing with PTSD. Caregivers or anyone impacted by trauma will likely feel that Orange is on their side and respond well to her calls to seek "progress, not perfection."
