Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Malady or Myth? (Current Perspectives in Psychology) [Paperback]

Chris R. Brewin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 28, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0300123744 | ISBN-13: 978-0300123746

As more individuals bear witness to terrorist attacks, school shootings, or assaults, there has been an increase in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a diagnosis that has generated controversy since its genesis during the Vietnam War. Is PTSD real or is it a modern myth? Is the counseling of its victims valuable or possibly harmful? Are the memories of childhood trauma uncovered by many people valid or are they unwitting fabrications?
In this groundbreaking book, Chris Brewin, an internationally recognized expert on trauma, presents recent research on PTSD, memory, and neuroscience and offers a powerful new theory to explain conflicting findings about the nature and treatment of traumatic stress.
At the core of the book is an analysis of how the impact of trauma affects memory and identity. Overwhelming stress can lead to a condition in which survivors are lost for words to describe what has happened to them but still experience vivid and inescapable images. Trauma also has the ability to bring about profound changes in identity and block normal mechanisms for correcting abnormal memory. Building on this analysis, Brewin explains why some interventions work and others are ineffective, and what could and should be done to help survivors.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A valuable and timely contribution to the field of trauma. It draws on a broad diversity of historical, political, and scientific knowledge, woven together in a clear, readable fashion." Patricia Watson, National Center for PTSD "A work of original and solid scholarship that will be a notable contribution to the study of traumatic stress." Patricia Resick, University of Missouri, St. Louis --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Current Perspectives in Psychology series - Alan E. Kazdin, editor --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (March 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300123744
• ISBN-13: 978-0300123746
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,114,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding review, December 31, 2010

By 

Victoria Follette (Reno, Nv, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Malady or Myth? (Current Perspectives in Psychology) (Paperback)

This book is essential reading for anyone interested in PTSD. It provides an outstanding review of the concept and provides current and historial insights. I consider this book a must have and replaced my copy when one I loaned never came back.