Trauma: Culture, Meaning and Philosophy

by Patrick Bracken

In the past twenty years there has been a remarkable growth of interest in the area of trauma within the disciplines of psychology and psychiatry. This professional interest both reflects and contributes to a wider cultural concern with trauma. The syndrome of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) lies at the heart of the current discourse on trauma. This book argues that there are serious problems inherent in current conceptualisations of how people react to trauma, and consequently in many of the therapeutic responses that have been developed. The book offers a radical critique of the concept of PTSD and questions the assumptions which underpin the 'trauma industry' that has emerged around it. However, the book is not just about critique. Drawing on anthropology, philosophy and his own clinical experience and that of others, the author presents a very different understanding of the relationships between trauma, meaning and culture. Post traumatic anxiety is presented as a problem with strong social and cultural dimensions and not simply an issue of individual psychopathology. Thus the reader is equipped with a new framework for helping traumatised individuals and communities. This very different conceptualisation of post traumatic sequelae will challenge therapists, aid and development workers as well as theoretical workers in psychology and psychiatry. Dr. Bracken argues against the medicalisation of distress and for the strengthening of communities and seeks to connect disputes about the framing of trauma with a wider debate about the social control of technology and expertise. This book will also be of interest to philosophers and others wishing to understand the relevance of philosophical analysis to medicine and psychology.

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2002

Reviews

[Yassir Morsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found "Trauma, Culture, Meaning and Philosophy" by Patrick Bracken to be an stimulating yet challenging. It weaves through the interplay of psychiatry, psychology, and philosophy. The book's dense information and its intersection across diverse fields sometimes made it a demanding read for me. However, this very integration of disciplines is what sets it apart and brings a fresh perspective to my understanding of trauma and meaning.
Bracken’s critique of the Cartesian approach in psychiatry and his emphasis on social and cultural contexts in mental health is enlightening, and his exploration of Heidegger's philosophy and its application to psychology is particularly engaging.
What I enjoyed the most was how the concept of 'Dasein' or being-in-the-world, central to Heidegger's philosophy, is innovatively applied by Bracken in understanding trauma and mental health. Hence, one aspect of the book that stood out to me is the discussion of Medard Boss's Daseinanalysis. This therapy approach, deeply rooted in Heidegger's philosophy, aims to free individuals to fulfill their potential in their relationships with things and others. What I appreciate is that, unlike conventional psychotherapies, Daseinanalysis starts with a deepr philosophical understanding of human existential quests and anxieties. Boss’s emphasis on the uniqueness of this approach, differentiating it from other psychotherapeutic methods without setting up a rigid, 'official' protocol, is something I found myself wanting to read more about.
In this view, this philosophical underpinning in therapy, as detailed by Bracken, was particularly intriguing to me. As a therapist myself, it encouraged me to reflect deeper on the purpose and goals of psychotherapy beyond the conventional frameworks, and the role trauma plays in shaping our sense of place.
In conclusion, while "Trauma, Culture, Meaning and Philosophy" can be a dense and at times difficult book to read due to its vast scope and integration of complex ideas, it offers valuable insights. The interweaving of Heidegger's philosophy into psychology and psychiatry provides a refreshing perspective, making it a significant contribution in my view.