The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook [Paperback]

Glenn Schiraldi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0737302658 | ISBN-13: 978-0737302653 | Edition: 1

For the millions who suffer from the effects of a traumatic experience, this book offers help and hope and provides the diverse elements needed for lasting recovery. Trauma can take many forms, from the most disturbing of circumstances such as witnessing a murder or violent crime to the subtle trauma of living with the effects of abuse or alcoholism. Deep emotional wounds often seem like they will never heal, but Schiraldi has helped and witnessed survivors recover, grow, and find happiness.

By helping people recognize the coping mechanisms and by dealing directly with the effects of a traumatic experience, there is a great reason for hope. The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook is a guide for both survivors and their loved ones, helping them to see that on the other side of their pain is recovery and growth.

• Explains the psychic defenses that can go into effect to protect a victim from further emotional harm
• Provides information on triggers and the debilitating effects of post-traumatic stress disorder
• Addresses how the healing process can begin and how fear diminishes through a variety of medic and nonmedicinal treatment methods

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 stress management faculty at the U.S. Pentagon and the University of Maryland, where he received the Outstanding Teacher Award in the College of Health and Human Performance. He is the author of various articles and books on human mental and physical health, including Conquer Anxiety, Worry and Nervous Fatigue: A Guide to Greater Peace; Hope and Help for Depression: A Practical Guide; Facts to Relax By: A Guide to Relaxation and Stress Reduction; and Building Self-Esteem: A 125-Day Program. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, and holds graduate degrees in Health Education from Brigham Young University and the University of Maryland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 446 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0737302658
• ISBN-13: 978-0737302653
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #358,477 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

191 of 195 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.

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!