Does Reading Fiction Help You Ptsd? My Experience And Wanting To Know More.

[Pencil]

Kurt Vonnegut

Don't forget Deadeye Dick.

 

[tolstoytherapy]

Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. I can't believe I'm the first to recommend this!

This is a great book! I studied it for university, and found the seminar discussion of trauma in the book a little awkward :rolleyes: I found so much to relate to in it though, and I'd definitely like to read it again.

 

[ExanimisRex]

I don't know that it relates to this thread but I just downloaded the complete Sherlock Holmes to my Kindle and started reading. It feels good to read again after so many months of not being able to. Watson has just met Holmes and their first case has presented itself with a body in an abandoned house. This is my first time reading the works of Author Conan Doyle although I have always wanted to.

 

[tolstoytherapy]

It feels good to read again after so many months of not being able to.

I agree - it's often such a relief to return to reading after a particularly difficult or busy time. It always feels like well-deserved time for myself, particularly when the book isn't too demanding.

I've always meant to read Sherlock Holmes but have never got round to it. I think I may put the books on my to-read list for the summer.

 

[fyredrift23]

Hello All!

Two books I find a lot of comfort in are "Go Tell It On the Mountain" by James Baldwin, and "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison.

I read both of these in a lit course while in college. I didn't get a chance to really get into "Invisible Man" while in the slightly-disorganized, and therefore rushed course. Couple the length with other coursework and whatnot, and I think I maybe read half, lol. However, very recently, I felt led to read it again, and I am so glad I answered its call!

"Invisible Man" is chock-full of so many relevant and deep social issues, it's hard to list them here. But, mainly what drew me back to it was the over-arching theme of identity construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction, lol. I can really resonate with having an identity that is assumed for you and created for you largely by others, and then, once older, recognizing this and going about trying to change it.

I guess the search for the self will never cease, but in this case, I'm talking more about not quite having an identity in the 1st place. Like, just having all this outside stuff be a part of you, but it's super hard to access the "inside stuff," the real you.

Sorry, don't mean to go on-&-on. I LOVED "Go Tell It On the Mountain" because it was the first time I read about a character who shared my religious background and upbringing. The protagonist is a "PK" (preacher's kid) who is struggling to find his voice amidst others in his family, church, city, & country.

For me, I tend to feel better after reading books (fiction or no) that relate to my story to any extent, really. I re-read "A Catcher In the Rye" not too long ago (I first read it about 10 years ago!) and noticed some things I had totally missed before. Holden has Depression, and, according to Spark Notes (a handy analysis guide for many novels!) he also has PTSD! At the very least, let us all agree that the trauma from the death of his baby brother was just too much :(

And, to answer your question tolstoytherapy, for me, what tends to trigger me is, honestly, books that deal with sexuality more than anything else. Like, I find great comfort in reading about characters/real people who struggle and, ultimately, persevere/triumph. But books about romantic relationships seem to make me uncomfortable.

I can't really get in to stories that deal with boyfriend-girlfriend situations, women whose struggles stem largely from an abusive male partner, single pregnant women, etc. because I'm a lesbian. But, in the same breath, I feel triggered and simply can't read much further if the story's about same-sex relationships, seeing as how I have yet to be in one :rolleyes:

At the end of the day, though, reading in general does something for me that little else can. I have an extensive positive history with reading, too, and I love imagining the stories and examining things from my now young-adult-with-mental-illness-history/reality perspective. It makes me feel good about myself. I feel empowered :D

Great thread!!

 

[franciemarnie]

Invisible Man was a great novel.

I also loved Les Miserables and The Count of Monte Cristo. Two great novels involving great injustice, great suffering, but then great triumph!!!

 

[tolstoytherapy]

Thanks for your comment!

"Invisible Man" is chock-full of so many relevant and deep social issues, it's hard to list them here. But, mainly what drew me back to it was the over-arching theme of identity construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction, lol. I can really resonate with having an identity that is assumed for you and created for you largely by others, and then, once older, recognizing this and going about trying to change it.

I'd really like to read this, and you've summarised it so eloquently. It sounds like a novel that really gets you thinking about yourself, which I always like.

Like, just having all this outside stuff be a part of you, but it's super hard to access the "inside stuff," the real you.

I can really relate to this too. After being diagnosed with PTSD a year or so ago I've learnt so much about myself, and I'm finally starting to understand what I really feel, what I like doing, and what I think about certain situations and people. For the few years before this point I've felt quite lost and lacking in direction, but things are now making a lot more sense.

Sorry, don't mean to go on-&-on. I LOVED "Go Tell It On the Mountain" because it was the first time I read about a character who shared my religious background and upbringing. The protagonist is a "PK" (preacher's kid) who is struggling to find his voice amidst others in his family, church, city, & country.

I loved this book too! It's really different to anything else I've ever read, and it gave me so much to think about. Whoever chose to put it on my university syllabus made a good decision!

And, to answer your question tolstoytherapy, for me, what tends to trigger me is, honestly, books that deal with sexuality more than anything else. Like, I find great comfort in reading about characters/real people who struggle and, ultimately, persevere/triumph. But books about romantic relationships seem to make me uncomfortable.

Yeah, I can understand that. I gain so much from reading about characters that I can relate to and feel motivated by, but if a plot gets too close to my PTSD triggers, my reading experience is nowhere near as positive. Saying that, I'm so glad that reading has helped you so much too. It's so comforting to know that I'll always have books to turn to, and it sounds like you feel the same. All the best :)

 

[tolstoytherapy]

I also loved Les Miserables and The Count of Monte Cristo. Two great novels involving great injustice, great suffering, but then great triumph!!!

I've never read Les Miserables (although I really should), but The Count of Monte Cristo is such a great novel. It says so much about suffering, persevering, and knowing right from wrong. Thanks for mentioning it! I'm sure it would be a great novel to turn to when facing hardship or injustice.