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

by Cynthia Orange

Overview

A user-friendly guide to helping a loved one with post-traumatic stress disorder—while taking care of yourself.

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. The millions of family members of those who have PTSD also suffer, not knowing how to help their loved one recover from the pain.Shock Waves is a practical, user-friendly guide for those who love someone suffering from this often debilitating anxiety disorder, whether that person is a survivor of war or of another harrowing situation or event. Through her own experience, extensive research, advice from mental health professionals, and interviews with those working through PTSD and their families, 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 violence and rage, find effective professional help, and prevent their children from experiencing secondary trauma.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

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781592858569
Publisher:	Hazelden Publishing
Publication date:	05/26/2010
Pages:	187
Sales rank:	518,082
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Cynthia Orange has written extensively about addiction and recovery, parenting, and post-traumatic stress disorder. She co-facilitates a caregivers' support group, and she and her husband (a Vietnam combat veteran) often speak to audiences about the effects of trauma and war in their continuing involvement with veterans and veterans' issues. She is an award-winning writer who has published hundreds of articles, columns, and guest editorials in newspapers, magazines, and literary journals. She is the author of several books, and contributed to the popular meditation book Today's Gift.Orange resides in West St. Paul, Minnesota.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Trauma Responses and PTSD: Normal Reactions to Abnormal Events 9

Chapter 2 Acknowledging Loss and Honoring Grief 37

Chapter 3 What about Me? The Importance of Self-Care 53

Chapter 4 Self-Care II: Toward Healthy Interdependence and Dialogue 77

Chapter 5 Self-Care III: Declaring a "Toxic-Free" Zone 101

Chapter 6 Trauma and Addiction: Weathering the Storms 115

Chapter 7 Trauma and Parenting 135

Chapter 8 Rebuilding Your Life 153

Resources and Reading 173

Bibliography 181

About the Author 189

Editorial Reviews

Of those affected by trauma, research shows that 8% of men and 20% of women could develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Orange (Sing Your Own Song) has personal experience with her topic; her husband, a Vietnam veteran, was diagnosed with PTSD after its symptoms had impacted their lives for years. Using contributor stories, the author illustrates the varied paths PTSD can take and guides readers through the journey to recovery, "a life-long process that improves all aspects of ourselves: body, mind, and spirit." Orange believes that choice plays a major role in recovery. "Each day we can decide to blame trauma or our loved one for our actions and feelings or we can take responsibility for our own life and growth." Ways of diagnosing PTSD and information on the warning signs of suicide, trauma responses, and the affect of trauma on loved ones are also discussed, as are ways to honor grief, find a therapist, provide self-care, rebuild a life, find joy, and parent while dealing with PTSD. Caregivers or anyone impacted by trauma will likely feel that Orange is on their side and respond well to her calls to seek "progress, not perfection."

Publishers Weekly

"Shock Waves shines a light on those who walk with the wounded; it honors their own tattered spirits and offers help. This book defines the art of self-care and how to couple it with caring."
--Patricia Weaver Francisco, author of Telling: A Memoir of Rape and Recovery

"An honest and hopeful approach to the important and challenging work of traumatic loss."
--Thomas M. Ellis, director of the Center for Grief, Loss & Transition and author of This Thing Called Grief

"With the earnestness of a teacher, the compassion of a healer, and the credibility of a partner living alongside someone with PTSD, Cynthia Orange has written a truly useful book. She leaves us with the conviction that self-care is not a lofty or selfish goal, but a necessity when in relationship with someone who has PTSD. The story of her own family's healing is a boon to the soul."
--Julie E. Neraas, author of Apprenticed to Hope: A Sourcebook for Difficult Times

"Cynthia Orange has written a wise, well-researched, and moving book for victims of PTSD and their loved ones. Hers is the voice of hard-earned wisdom from personal journey. I was moved to tears by the authenticity of this honest book."
--Ann Linnea, author of Deep Water Passage and Keepers of the Trees

"Shock Waves is filled with wise and down-on-the-ground suggestions for dealing with this pervasive problem in our culture. It is also the story of the author's own struggle with her husband's PTSD, narrated with a candor that does not flinch before the heartache and difficulties this disorder represents. Orange offers a next step for those stopped in their tracks, and a realistic hope for those who now can only see the darkness."
--Dr. Tex Sample, author of Earthy Mysticism

“Shock Waves is a gift for those struggling to deal with the strain of supporting a loved one through the aftereffects of trauma. It distills much of what is understood about PTSD and brings to life the disturbing personal and family dynamics it creates. Above all it offers the experience, hope and practical wisdom of those who have faced the problems and overcome them.”
-- Barry Smale, Trauma, CBT, Addiction and EMDR Therapist at Capio Nightingale Hospital

"Cynthia Orange has produced a beautiful, inclusive, and powerful book that names trauma and provides helpful resources for survivors and all who love them. Using her own family and experience, she weaves the heart-thread of story through incredibly useful information, guidance, and hope for recovery."
--Christina Baldwin, author of Life's Companion and Storycatcher

"Solid advice for taking care of oneself and one's family in the wake of a member's traumatization."
--Don R. Catherall, PhD, author of Back From the Brink and editor of Handbook of Stress, Trauma, and the Family

"Distills the essence of what is known about PTSD and its effects on families in a gentle, clear, and readable book of suggestions for healing."
--Patience H. C. Mason, author of Recovering from the War and publisher of The Post-Traumatic Gazette.

From the Publisher