Recommended Reading & Viewing
Recommended Reading & Viewing
Recommended Reading
Claudia Herbert
Practical help for managing the after-effects of trauma
Traumatic life experiences can lead to persistent change. Those affected may become numb and shut off from those around them and grief, guilt or shame may constantly weigh them down. Memories of horrifying scenes may intrude unexpectedly during waking hours. Sleep may be disturbed by vivid, unpleasant dreams. Sudden mood swings, emotional overwhelm, impaired concentration, dissociation or feelings of constant alert make living difficult.
Traumatic stress responses, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (or PTSD), are caused by our mind and body's attempts to cope with experiences of extreme danger. They can affect and overwhelm anyone and are not a sign of personal weakness.
Written by expert trauma therapists, this accessible self-help manual takes those affected by specific traumatic events on a journey of recovery and healing, based on the latest psychological research and advances in trauma therapy.
Taylor Downing
This comprehensive and interesting read of how soldiers fought and survived on the Somme yet to be confronted with an “Invisible Danger”, Shellshock. Today would be known as Post Trauma Stress or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Downing’s book highlights the patriotism shown in Great Britain with thousands of men and women taking on Field Marshall Kitchener's call to duty, really not having any idea of the horrors these patriots would face from trench warfare to the gas attacks.
Post war preparation for shell shock patients started encouragingly with clinics being set up but due to the 1920’s recession they were closed. The 1st World War though gave thousands of doctors and medics a greater knowledge of how the mind works which would carry on in subsequent decades.
Sian Williams
Orion Publishing Company
Raymond B. Flannery
New Age Books
Helen Kennerley
Kinchin D and Brown E (2001)
David Kinchin
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Success Unlimited
Frank Parkinson
Listening & Helping in the Workplace
(This has a chapter on Stress andPTSD)
Professor Gordon Turnbull
Transworld Books
Films
This 1999 TV series available on DVD - the Dutch version please see Amazon Kindle may be easier to find. Is a sometimes violent, yet very moving observation of how British soldiers had to deal with the atrocities of peacekeeping and combat that was the war in Bosnia. Psychological trauma is particularly well highlighted especially when the soldiers return home to “blighty” and the difficulties and different contradictions for soldiers of war now on the home front.
Starring Mel Gibson. Based on a true story of the 1st Battle of the Vietnam War
Certificate 15
Starring Joanne Froggatt. A story of a soldiers’ real battle which is coming home
Certificate 18
Starring Martin Sheen. The story of an American Doctor following the death of his son walking The Camino de Santiago in the Pyrenees following in his son’s footsteps. A powerful and a uplifting film which looks at positive growth following trauma.
Certificate 12