Rent Shock Waves: A Practical Guide to Living with a Loved One's PTSD

Synopsis

In the United States, about 60 percent of men and 50 percent of women experience, witness, or are affected by a traumatic event in their lifetimes. Many of them (8 percent of men and 20 percent of women) may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—a life-altering anxiety disorder. Once connected mainly with veterans of war, PTSD is now being diagnosed in many situations that cause extreme trauma such as rape, physical attacks or abuse, accidents, terrorist incidents, or natural disasters.

What is not reflected in those statistics are the millions of family and friends who also suffer from the shock wave effects of a loved one's trauma. Feelings—for both trauma survivors and those who love them—can become intense and unpredictable. It is normal to experience fear, anxiety, depression, and a sense of helplessness, but help is available.

Shock Waves is a practical, user-friendly guide for those who love someone whose life has been changed by trauma, whether or not that person has been diagnosed with PTSD.  Throughout its pages are the voices of trauma survivors and those affected by a loved one's trauma. 

Through her own personal experience, extensive research, advice from mental health professionals, and interviews, Cynthia Orange shows readers how to:

identify what PTSD symptoms look like in "real life" respond to substance abuse and other co-occurring disorders Manage their reactions to a loved one's PTSD Cope with feelings of grief and loss Find effective professional help Prevent their children from experiencing secondary trauma Practice ongoing care for themselves and other family members

Each section of Shock Waves includes questions and exercises to help readers incorporate the book's lessons into their daily lives and interactions with their traumatized loved ones.

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