"The causes of complex post-traumatic stress disorder range from severe neglect to monstrous abuse. Many survivors grow up in houses that are not homes--in families that are as loveless as orphanages and sometimes as dangerous. If you felt unwanted, unliked, rejected, hated, and/or despised for a lengthy portion of your childhood, trauma may be deeply ingrained in your mind, soul, and body. This book is a practical, user-friendly self-help guide to recovering from the lingering effects of childhood trauma"--Back cover.
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"The causes of complex post-traumatic stress disorder range from severe neglect to monstrous abuse. Many survivors grow up in houses that are not homes--in families that are as loveless as orphanages and sometimes as dangerous. If you felt unwanted, unliked, rejected, hated, and/or despised for a lengthy portion of your childhood, trauma may be deeply ingrained in your mind, soul, and body. This book is a practical, user-friendly self-help guide to recovering from the lingering effects of childhood trauma"--Back cover.
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On the subject of Complex PTSD, Mr. Walker has penned a fantastic book. It teaches the reader about the effects of childhood trauma brought on by abuse in all of its forms, including physical, sexual, and/or emotional neglect, and is both educational and encouraging. Although informative, he suggests that if the reader feels it could be beneficial, they seek out a trained therapist in the field of trauma studies.
It's refreshing to see someone these days who doesn't pretend to know everything.
If you want to learn more about yourself and start the healing process, I highly recommend this book. I had also reviewed this book on shabd.in and kindle.
Anabstractartist
Sep 16, 2023
Excellent source for CPSTD
Mr. Walker has written an excellent book on the topic of Complex PTSD.
It is informative and supportive as the reader learns about the effects of childhood trauma caused by abuse in its varied forms, be it sexual, physical and or emotional neglect.
While informative, he encourages seeking an educated therapist in the study of trauma if the reader deems it might be helpful.
He does not claim to have all the answers, which is a refreshing take nowadays.
I strongly recommend this book if you want to understand yourself and want to begin your healing.
carsi
Oct 14, 2020
Complex PTSD offers honest-to-goodness support!
Addresses many questions we don't even know to ask! Usually, I wait until I've read the entire book before I write any reviews. I've only begun reading this jewel of a book.
Already, it's one of the most meaningful books I've ever found for sorting out the trauma that was most of my own childhood. It's like author Pete Walker was right there with me (sounds like we lived parallel lives!) ... and is way ahead of me on how it all shows up (still, decades later) in my life. Not into self-pity or drowning in sorrow. No. Not at all.
This is a book about transitioning from surviving to thriving! Transitioning from the inside out, in doable, practical, self-caring, self-appreciating ways. And not the usual ways that we've all heard of (or experienced) in 'therapy.'
First, he identifies so many big and little hurt/damaged/missing pieces of ourselves and how we may or may not immediately recognize and/or relate to them. (Not everything applies to everyone.) However, trauma is pretty universal. It affects most of us in ways we don't always recognize. And grief (which we really don't do well in the West) is also part of our healing process. So learning how to successfully grieve (foreign concept for most of us Westerners), heal, evolve and become more whole, is central to this offering. And so much more.
His tone is compassionate, empathetic, and oh-so-knowing, because like us, he has lived it. In the lyrics of a famous song, he's "wise, but it's wisdom from the pain." And he's got some very pragmatic approaches and ideas to support anyone who's living in the gunky aftermath of abusive/neglectful parenting.
While he acknowledges from his own personal experience how it feels and how numbing it can be, he gently points out many ways it continues to rule our lives. Often, it's under the surface, so we aren't always consciously aware of it. We can't grow and change on purpose if we don't know what needs self-loving attention and healing. However, as we read his simple descriptions, it's easy to see that he's holding up a mirror for us.
Now, many people are comfortable and familiar with their situation in life. I've known some who are quite invested in their pain and suffering. Some are so used to it, they resist any attempt to dislodge themselves, or simply choose to deny it. This book isn't for those folks. It's for the ones who pick it up and soon can't put it down because it's like they're reading their own life story! AND, they're learning how they CAN shift gears and build themselves a more authentic, peaceful and happier life.
Pete Walker brings us a truly empowering treasure chest of potent tools to help us wake up, grow, heal and move on with our lives. And this is only after reading a quarter to a third of this excellent book!
