General Resources

[adriftatsea]

I'm sure there's already a post like this, but haven't come across anything recently. I was wondering if anyone had any good resources (books/websites) related to non-combat PTSD? A lot of the articles and websites I've looked at are more focused on combat PTSD and I do realize most of the symptoms and effects are the same, just the etiology is different.

I've recently started reading a book called 'Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A Guide and Map for Recovering' which is from an author/therapist who discusses his life with PTSD from childhood traumas and his view from a therapist discussing problems/difficulties for people with CPTSD.

Just wondering if anyone had any other good reads?

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Have you read all of the articles here on this site? They are quite helpful, especially for explaining PTSD to those who don't have PTSD. As for other websites, I'm not so sure, but I know others have recommendations. I know Pete Walker has a good site for sufferers as I've used his info to help me through flashbacks and stuff, but I'm not sure if it has much information for those who don't have PTSD and want to learn more.

Just for clarification, are you looking for childhood trauma sources? Non-combat PTSD can vary, too. Its more than just a dividing line between combat PTSD and non-combat PTSD.

 

[sun seeker]

It depends what kind of trauma you are talking about, because non-combat PTSD still covers a wide range. Having said that, if it is very early trauma, my absolute favourite is Healing Developmental Trauma by Laurence Heller. He explains in detail how trauma in very early childhood interrupts different stages of development and what the consequences are on every level of a person's being. He goes on to describe an approach to therapy that gives me the most hope of any I've heard of. I've recommended this book repeatedly and so enthusiastically that I feel compelled to affirm that I am not getting a commission from it! You can find a two-part interview with him on youtube if you want to see what it's about before investing in the book.

 

[adriftatsea]

Thanks Solara and actually I think the book I'm reading is by Pete Walker and completely forgot he had a website. I kept making mental notes to check it out...obviously they didn't stick.

And I guess I never really thought of that either. His trauma's are kind of wide spread throughout the non-comabt spectrum - childhood sexual abuse, alcoholic step-father who was borderline physically abusive, but definitely verbally/emotionally abusive, emotional/neglect type abuse from his father, bullied through school, etc.

Thanks sun seeker I will check out Laurence Heller!

 

[NewDayTomorrow]

Another great book is Waking the Tiger by Levine. It is about somatic experiencing, a method that relies on your body's natural tendency to heal itself. It applies to any kind of trauma. He has some uplifting stories and lots of lay background about the biology and neurology behind trauma in general, not just PTSD. He also has a website, if you just google Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute.