The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook: A Guide to Healing, Recovery, and Growth [Paperback]

Glenn Schiraldi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 5, 2009 | ISBN-10: 007161494X | ISBN-13: 978-0071614948 | Edition: 2

The Definitive Resource for Trauma Survivors, Their Loved Ones, and Helpers

Trauma can take many forms, from witnessing a violent crime or surviving a natural disaster to living with the effects of abuse, rape, combat, or alcoholism. Deep emotional wounds may seem like they will never heal. However, with The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook, Dr. Glenn Schiraldi offers a remarkable range of treatment alternatives and self-management techniques, showing survivors that the other side of pain is recovery and growth.

Live your life more fully-without fear, pain, depression, or self-doubt

• Identify emotional triggers-and protect yourself from further harm
• Understand the link between PTSD and addiction-and how to break it
• Find the best treatments and techniques that are right for you

This updated edition covers new information for war veterans and survivors with substance addictions. It also explores mindfulness-based treatments, couples strategies, medical aids, and other important treatment innovations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Free eBook!

The recent terrorist attacks have led to widespread anxiety and distress throughout the country. For those who need help, McGraw-Hill Professional is pleased to offer a free eBook version of this book. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

Glenn R. Schiraldi, Ph.D., has served on the faculty in stress management at the Pentagon and the University of Maryland. He is the author of several articles and books on mental and physical health. He serves on the board of directors of the Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 2 edition (March 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007161494X
• ISBN-13: 978-0071614948
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,360 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
  • #23 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Depression
  • #39 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Mood Disorders

More About the Author

Glenn R. Schiraldi, Ph.D., has served on the stress management faculties at the Pentagon, the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, and the University of Maryland, where he received the Outstanding Teaching Award and other teaching/service awards. His books on stress-related topics have been translated into nine foreign languages, and include: The Sef-Esteem Workbook; Ten Simple Solutions for Building Self-Esteem; The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook; The Complete Guide to Resilience: Why It Matters, How to Build and Maintain It; and The Anger Management Sourcebook. Glenn's writing excellence has been recognized by various scholarly and popular sources, including the Washington Post, American Journal of Health Promotion, the Mind/Body Health Review, and the International Stress and Tension Control Society Newsletter.

Glenn's special passion is presenting skills-based resilience training to high-risk groups, such as the military, police, firefighters, and their families. The goal of such training is to optimize mental fitness and performance, while preventing, and facilitating recovery from, stress-related conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder. His resilience courses at the University of Maryland have been found to improve resilience, optimism, self-esteem, happiness, curiosity, depression, anxiety, and anger. His latest book (The Resilient Warrior Before, During, and After War) helps service members, police, and their families be at their best and respond well to their unique challenges.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

192 of 196 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Survivors of PTSD Have a New Best Friend March 7, 2000

By Marybeth Quist

Format:Paperback

This book may well become the best friend of every person recovering from PTSD. I frequently find myself turning to this book for direction and comfort when the symptoms become overwhelming. It is a powerfully effective tool against the panic and feelings of isolation that I face as a person with PTSD. The clear, concise explanations, acceptance of the reality of these symptoms, and specific instructions and suggestions for professional and self-treatment, organized in an easy-to-read format, have proven invaluable in my own recovery. Glenn has taken the fear and confusion of PTSD and turned it into an understandable and manageable situation. I would recommend this book to anyone suffering from PTSD. It may save your life, and will certainly save your sanity. I can't say enough good things about it. It has, truly, changed my life.

192 of 197 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars There is Hope October 3, 2002

By Nissa

Format:Paperback

I was abused sexually (and in other ways) throughout my childhood within my home and by other offenders. I experienced the impact of PTSD from a very early age, but it went untreated until I was in my early 20's. This book has a very in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the symptoms of PTSD, the causes, and has a sensitive introduction to many aspects of healing and healing options from PTSD caused by many different traumas (including sexual child abuse, rape, and violence). This is a very balanced book that talks comprehensively about depression, anxiety, triggers, intimacy and everything that happens to survivors of trauma. Over the years of my healing I have been able to turn to this book again and again.

The book talks about being a victim, survivor, thriver and helps trauma survivors to learn how to break free of the trauma and live a healthy life emotionally, mentally, physically.

Ultimately we will all find our own way to healing, but it always helps to be educated and to receive support. This book is very in-depth and well rounded with many healing options to consider such as writing about our traumatic experiences, and meditation to name just a few (many of these healing options were helpful to me). I often go back to this book for support when difficult emotions such as anger, grief, or trauma triggers re-surface (sometimes reading it in the middle of the night when I can't sleep). As the years go by my PTSD has improved significantly and does not intrude upon my life as much. However, it does not go away and I have continued to experience physical problems as a result of the long term impact of the post traumatic stress. I have grown accustomed to withstanding (and I suppose ignoring) the stress, but it ends up resulting in physical problems.... So, I have found that I must manage the stress whether I think I need to or not. Going back again and again to read up on skills for reducing the triggered stress as been incredibly helpful to me. When it comes to PTSD we really are on our own. No one can really help us because the stress is happening within us. So, it is up to us to take the steps to learn how to manage the internal stress. It's not an easy task, but it is very much worth it and it greatly improves our quality of life. Read more ›

68 of 70 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank heavens for this book! And Dr. Schiraldi... September 3, 2004

By Desi

Format:Paperback

Have been with PTSD for 7 years now. When I came across Dr. Schiraldis book on this very site, I didn't know what I was in for! - Most precise and compassionate information, so much help I'd never dreamed of, and the best possible of tools to learn how to cope - how to live with PTSD, and to start overcome it.

I'll never forget how chapter one begins, "PTDS results form exposure to an overwhelmingly stressful event or series of events.... It is a normal response by normal people to an abnormal situation". How I needed to hear that! While everybody thought I'd gone mad, including myself.

Later, I told my shrink about this phenomenal book, I said to her: "Finally, a "user's manual - a book for the man on the floor"... and she'd laugh and comment that I must have gotten somewhere, saying that!

Now - dear Mr. Shiraldi, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have no idea just how much you have helped me!

(Pray this book will reach many more - no one could get better help/information/advice/suggesions than what this book provides!

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Recovery Begins with Knowledge July 15, 2003

By Lori Ramsey

Format:Paperback

I purchased this book in April after beginning therapy and first being diagnosed with chronic PTSD. I have suffered multiple traumas in my life: This book has been an excellent supplement to my therapy. It has helped me see fully realize the extent of my symptoms and also to see how the secondary symptoms have affected my relationships with others and thus gain perspective on much of the criticism I have endured through the years from colleagues and peers. PTSD affects all areas of the sufferer's life, including interpersonal relationships, school, the workplace, and the home. I am only now understanding how my PTSD has affected my life, and beginning to get a glimpse of a more positive future ahead. Futhermore, it has helped me to see that a positive support system is essential to recovery, and I do not have that within my family, so it will have to be cultivated from my friends. I also highly recommend this book for its straight forward, no nonsense style. I am a graduate business student at a top program and upon my diagnosis, I was able to integrate reading "Sourcebook" in with my heavy courseload without feeling like I was wasting time on a publication that was too much talk and not enough solution.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent survival guide for anyone with PTSD September 25, 2001

By "orelk"

Format:Paperback

I had gone through so much sadness, suffering and despair before coming across this book by chance. When I started reading it, it was as if I had awakened from a long coma, as if I was stepping out of a thick fog. Finally everything was starting to make sense! Schiraldi's writing style is clear and to the point, friendly without being patronizing. His description of the illness and treatment methods inspired me strength and confidence, now I know I can beat this thing! I very highly recommend this book to anyone who suffers from PTSD, as well as to all those who study this illness, there's much to learn from it. Thank you, Dr. Schiraldi, you don't know how much your book meant to me!