War and the Soul: Healing Our Nation's Veterans from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder [Paperback]

Edward Tick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 30, 2005

The New England Journal of Medicine reports that 16 percent (one in eight) of returning Iraq veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Such vets typically can’t hold jobs. They are incapable of intimacy, creative work, and self-realization. Some can’t leave the house because they are afraid they will kill or be killed. The key to healing, says psychotherapist Ed Tick, is in how we understand PTSD. In war’s overwhelming violence, the soul—the true self—flees and can become lost for life. He redefines PTSD as a true identity disorder, with radical implications for therapy. First, Tick establishes the traditional context of war in mythology and religion. Then he describes in depth PTSD in terms of identity issues. Finally, drawing on world spiritual traditions, he presents ways to nurture a positive identity based in compassion and forgiveness. War and the Soul will change the way we think about war, for veterans and for all those who love and want to help them. It shows how to make the wounded soul whole again. When this work is achieved, PTSD vanishes and the veteran can truly return home.

Product Details

• Paperback: 341 pages
• Publisher: Quest Books; 1 edition (December 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 083560831X
• ISBN-13: 978-0835608312
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
  • #72 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Psychotherapy, TA & NLP

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

105 of 105 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Veterans Look at War and the Soul December 1, 2005

By Robert Cagle

Format:Paperback

I am a combat vet of the Viet Nam era. I purchased a copy of Dr.Tick's book WAR AND THE SOUL last week. I can't begin to express how deeply it affected me as a veteran, a father and as a man. Edward Tick has brought out into the open the essence of the problem with the aftereffects of war. We are of the "don't talk about it and it will just go away," generation. I'm referring to the loss or corruption of every mans' soul as a result of the horrors of war, and the lack of a true warrior class in America as DR. tick describes it. Like no other terror on earth, war is so traumatic that indeed one's soul may be lost forever. However, it does not have to be that way. We indeed may regain intimacy, trust and a purposeful life if treated as humans with souls, not like men having to be drugged with antidepressants to keep us away and out of public sight.

Edward Tick's book is from his soul, from many years of

providing psychotherapy to veterans and winning the way back from nightmares and terrors for them. He dares to practice psychotherapy in an intimate surrounding, never trying to be detached from the one he is serving. He has felt the wounds of the flesh and mind as closely as possible without actually being in the war. Detachment is not his style as is the norm in psychological therapy. That is a big reason his methods work. Combat vets know instinctively who to trust and that usually does not include psychotherapists that are just interested in

their job. They must be interested in the men and women they treat.

WAR AND THE SOUL touched my soul, made me cry and smile. I saw and felt the same fears and changing attitudes of vets fortunate to return to Viet Nam with Dr. Tick. Dr. Tick, indeed, helped me find my soul again and the warmth of my loving wife, intimacy long lost and a renewed vigor for life. I am a fortunate person for I have traveled back to Viet Nam twice with Dr. Tick and his book is true.

Sincerely,

Robert Cagle

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The book to end all wars? December 3, 2005

By John C. Rhead

Format:Paperback

It appears that Dr. Tick got in over his head. He started out using traditional psychotherapy to treat Vietnam Veterans suffering from PTSD. Fortunately he had the sense to realize that PTSD was more than a mental health issue and, seeing he was in over his head, he learned how to swim. The currents carried him far from shore, to places where he could see that behind the emotional wounds of his clients were spiritual wounds and that what needed healing were their souls, where such wounds are inflicted. He discovered ancient methods for healing such wounds, and adapted them to the current times. He also discovered that the impulse toward making war emerges from a deep and primitive place in the collective unconscious, and has more to do with initiation into noble and honorable spiritual warriorhood than the massive death and destruction which modern warfare has achieved. He concludes that war cannot be waged for power or domination without causing great spiritual harm to those who wage it. War can only be waged in an honorable fashion, with great respect for one's enemies and for the purpose of protecting of one's home and family from immediate threat, if such harm is to be avoided. This just might be the book to end all wars if enough of us pay attention to it.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound Reading February 6, 2007

By Barry Cass

Format:Paperback

As a peace activist from way back and also the father of a Marine who has had two tours of duty in Iraq, I found this book to touch my heart, open up conversation between my son and me and give me a better understanding of the struggles our vets face. A couple days after reading this I had a chance to talk about it with my Marine son and used the insights I had found here to open the deepest conversation we have had in years. The soul-dimension of war is seldom considered, but Tick's treatment makes it clear that there are real and important struggles being faced by vets from all our previous wars. I gained a wealth of knowledge and understanding, and highly recommend Tick's book to parents, spouses, children and friends of returning vets, as well as the vets themselves.