Understanding Traumatic Stress - Softcover

Nigel C. Hunt; Sue McHale

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1847090567 ISBN 13: 9781847090560

Publisher: Sheldon Press, 2010

Synopsis

Traumatic events are common, and range from road traffic accidents, through rape and sexual abuse, to disaster and war. While many people deal effectively with these experiences, a minority have severe problems, which are often manifested as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The book is aimed at those with PTSD and those who are caring for someone with the disorder. It includes a strong focus on wounded military personnel. Topics include: understanding the symptoms including memory problems, avoidance and denial, emotional numbing, and hyperarousal, related disorders such as depression and substance abuse; traumatic memories and the underlying biology - how brain mechanisms are affected in the response to traumatic events. Treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy and EMDR. Narrative approaches, whereby people develop their own stories about their traumatic experiences to help them put them into meaningful contexts; Drug techniques including anxiolytics and antidepressants, and the problems of prescribing drugs for such a complex disorder; Problems faced by carers; Vicarious or secondary trauma; Growing through experience - trauma from an alternative perspective, that of resilience and growth; Professional help - your GP, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists

About this title

About the Author

Dr Nigel Hunt is Associate Professor in Health Psychology, University of Nottingham, and author of Coping with Alopecia, Sheldon Press. Dr Sue McHale is Senior Lecturer in Biopsychology, Sheffield Hallam University.

Edition details

• Publisher: Sheldon Press
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1847090567
• ISBN 13: 9781847090560
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 120