Healing from Trauma: A Survivor's Guide to Understanding Your Symptoms and Reclaiming Your Life

This book did nothing for me. I found it very frustrating. I read it, then threw it in the trash.I found none of the suggestions helpful and most chapters of the book seemed unfinished. That's the only word that comes to mind regarding this book, "unfinished".At the end of every chapter I felt unfulfilled, like I was waiting for something else to be said or suggested that never materialized.I found the chapter titled " Selecting Your Interventions" again, frustrating. EMDR and Alternating Bilateral Stimulation, The Tara Approach, and Somatic Therapies are just some of the interventions to choose from. Some of us can't afford therapists, so these interventions aren't helpful.Waste of my time and money.Yes, I know this isn't a very in-depth review, I'm just stating how I personally felt after reading it.However, I did buy and read "I Can't Get Over It" by Aphrodite Matsakis, which I found quite helpful.

I jump around in this book quite a bit, but it's got sections for everybody. From the person who is new to learning their healing and beginning their journey after trauma, to being able to speak and help loved ones help the trauma survivors. This is a great read. I still have not read the whole thing front to back, but it is a book that helps to normalize some of the confusing and scary emotions and symptoms that survivors experience. I, personally, often felt crazy because I was a happy, quiet girl who changed into someone who now feels a lot of anger and has very little patience for when people seem to be using me. I figured, I was broken and that whole shift was just a result of the trauma. While this shift was a result of the trauma, I have discovered that it is very normal and me being able to be assertive instead of passive aggressive (as I was before my traumas) was actually a good thing. Also, I read the portion meant for my loved ones and it helped me be able to put into words how I needed them to help me. Most days, I simply needed a listening ear and someone to see me for who I am, instead of seeing me for the trauma that I have lived though. Being able to now tell my family and friends this has helped us all be able to better navigate the road to my healing without them feeling alienated and it has helped decrease the over all frustration as well.

Once I was diagnosed with PTSD- my therapist gave me this book. He specializes in several body/mind therapies and uses this books with his clients a lot. It really helped me understand trauma- and how in has manifested in ways that I didn't realize were related. It helped me gain an objective view on my wounds and how they've affected my nervous system, body AND mind. This book is ESSENTIAL for anyone with a trauma disorder who wants to really understand how it's affecting you on all levels, how to manage it, and deeply powerful perspective- clinically- on how to treat trauma holistically. My therapist used TRE therapy- which is a body based healing method- very similar to what is in this book. The theory and healing contained in this book is profound!

It's a very very good book. I was recommended to read it, and I learned so much. If you are dealing with any sort of trauma or past pain, I highly recommend reading this book and learning about the signs and ways to keep moving forward.

I lived with verbal abuse and bullying and mental domestic violence for many years... When I first bought this book, I didn't understand. I laid aside, and a traumatic second divorce, it is now helping me a lot!!!

The thing that I, and the clients I've assigned this book to as homework (and they have actually read it, or some of it- there's no rush) have all said that the authenticity stands way out. They get that this is not theoretical, it experiential. The fact that she doesn't recount trauma after trauma but instead makes the correct assumption- we know enough about trauma already and then begins to give us something that will help us shake the bounds of the constructed self off..Even though it does not directly recount trauma that doesn't mean it's not potentially triggering (I got triggered last night by it). If it wasn't tickling the limbic system it would be all left brained and that's one of my, I can't speak for anyone else, most polished maladaptions that is socially acceptable.She nails it in the first chapter, the second etc. I teach yoga for free to vets with PTSD. The body work is hugely important. I am also a RYT, trained in IFS, and a MFT. I buy these books 3 or 4 at a time. I HIGHLY recommend this book.Keith Allen, MMFT, RYT,Trauma Sensitive Yoga Certification from the trauma center, Meditation teacher

This book is the most helpful and TRUTHFUL book that I have read about recovering from an unhappy past, and I have read a LOT of books! It is not preachy or abstract, like books written from educated "experts." The author knows what's-what when it comes to fears and emotional turmoil. She gives REAL help when it comes to getting a grip on past hurts and traumas. Have a pen handy to write down and GET OUT all your mixed-up memories and feelings and thoughts as you read. This book is like a rope handrail that you can hold onto as you begin to excavate out the black crap inside that is causing trouble in your life. I'd definitely also recommend reading this book with Rokelle Learner's "Daily Affirmations" so you can renew yourself with positive and life-giving ideas.

This book is a great read. It is very detailed, and speaks to you. I find it very helpful tool to navigate through this thing called trauma.

I am half way thorugh this book and would highly recommend it. All other books on this subject were pretty vague and just said things like getting in touch with your spirituality and mediatating etc. This book is written in clear, down-to-earth language, clearly discusses exactly how your body shows physical signs of trauma, and why. It is written in such a way that despite the subject, it is not sad, depressing, falsly positive (like many books on this subject) or triggering. It offers helpful small questionaires and exercises to do (if you like) to help you get through it, and offers practical and real-life ways to begin your healing process. This book is like having a therapist there with you, and is really practical and unique from all other books I've tried.

I don’t write reviews but being a short way into this book I have had to write one. It is like it is written for me, about me. If you are having trauma related symptoms and trying to piece it together -this book is for you. Having read many books and reading matter about trauma, dissociation and living with the effects of the abuse, this book is by far the most, helpful, well written one. It takes a very complex issue with complex devastating effects and helps you make sense of it. This book is a must for any sexual abuse survivors!

Amazing book. This helped me understand how trauma had effected my brain causing anxiety and depression. Why I go into the freeze response and tips on how to cope with those moments. Thank you. This book is a huge comfort to me.

This is a brilliant book. I have struggled with the read only because it does work, and I had some tough trauma to deal with. It has helped me realise that I have a lot to get through but at least I now know how. Xx

This book saved my life after a hard traumatic Experience, i owe my recovery to every single step mentioned in itI recommend it for anyone going through post Traumatic emotions