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Aftershock: How Past Events Shake Up Your Life Today
Aftershock helps people identify and heal from the often-delayed emotional responses to seemingly ordinary life events like the death of a partner, a chronic illness diagnosis, or getting a new job that can have significant impact on our emotions and overall mental health.
You may be at a point in your life where you realize that you have been edgy, a bit depressed, feeling unsettled. Yet everything in your life seems to be okay. You look for a cause, but you just can’t put your finger on it. Perhaps you should examine your recent past—six months ago, a year ago—and ask yourself, "What did I go through that was stressful at the time, yet I was able to deal with by suppressing my stress until that situation was over?"
“Aftershock” is a term coined by clinical psychologist Dr. Geri-Lynn Utter, who came to recognize this largely ignored scenario in many of her patients. As a subclinical level of the more familiar post-traumatic stress disorder, “aftershock” may underlie your present emotional stress, a delayed emotional response that affects many of us after common, yet big deal, life events such as miscarriage, moving to a new city, divorce, or, for some people, the Covid-19 pandemic that has rocked much of the world.
The most urgent raison d’etre of Aftershock is to enlighten readers to the very presence of this psychological trauma—what it is and what causes it, how to recognize the symptoms, and how to heal when life's stressors keep you in the center of the aftershock of a storm.
You may be at a point in your life where you realize that you have been edgy, a bit depressed, feeling unsettled. Yet everything in your life seems to be okay. You look for a cause, but you just can’t put your finger on it. Perhaps you should examine your recent past—six months ago, a year ago—and ask yourself, "What did I go through that was stressful at the time, yet I was able to deal with by suppressing my stress until that situation was over?"
“Aftershock” is a term coined by clinical psychologist Dr. Geri-Lynn Utter, who came to recognize this largely ignored scenario in many of her patients. As a subclinical level of the more familiar post-traumatic stress disorder, “aftershock” may underlie your present emotional stress, a delayed emotional response that affects many of us after common, yet big deal, life events such as miscarriage, moving to a new city, divorce, or, for some people, the Covid-19 pandemic that has rocked much of the world.
The most urgent raison d’etre of Aftershock is to enlighten readers to the very presence of this psychological trauma—what it is and what causes it, how to recognize the symptoms, and how to heal when life's stressors keep you in the center of the aftershock of a storm.
157 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2023
3 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 13, 2023
Aftershock is a helpful, easy to read book that explores the often delayed impact of trauma on our lives. Childhood trauma is explored through the author’s experiences, which were marred by addicted parents, marital chaos, childhood neglect, and uncertainty. Having known suffering, she has also helped many patients navigate through similar terrain. She explores damaged people’s quest to heal through the lens of her professional work as a therapist. She deals with patients who are terrorized by bullies, people who whose needs go unmet, and those who do not feel they belong. When traumatic events happen too quickly and too soon, or too young, survivors often cope by numbing feelings and going about usual routines, only to realize much later what happened. The delayed processing involved to heal can be difficult to address and make sense of months or years after the events. The author offers. various strategies to cope, and walks the reader through the steps of what to expect from professional therapy. She explains the road to healing after trauma is drawn out and non-linear.. Having a trusted other, like a compassionate therapist, can help us deal with confusion and pain, and help get us past the haunted memories that plague us. Survivors build resilience by gaining self-insight in the aftershock.
November 12, 2023
The initial idea was that “ordinary, normal” events, e.g. relocating to a new city, divorce, or parenting, could be traumatising. So, do not trivialise your own feelings. Get help. That idea is great. That is why there is 1 star in this rating.
Then, came the term, “post traumatic growth.” The idea was that trauma could bring about “positive psychological change.” That it “gives meaning to the challenges we have suffered.” And that this suffering “provides opportunities for extraordinary growth that we would never have been afforded otherwise.”
No. NO. NOOOOO.
STOP brainwashing people into accepting trauma as “beneficial.”
The author even stated that trauma was “part of life,” that everyone was bound to be traumatised at some point in their lives. (??!!!!)
NO. Just. No.
It’s more than insensitive for a therapist to say to a victim of horrendous trauma, “Hey, that’s part of life. You should be GRATEFUL!”
A therapist saying THAT to a victim of child sex slave trafficking, a victim of rape, a victim of domestic violence, a victim of drunk-driving car accident, a victim of random mass shooting, a victim of war, a veteran who lost his legs from being sent to an active war zone…?!
No. Traumatic experiences are NEVER ok.
No one should ever “expect” to become traumatised at some point in their lives. NO ONE.
Reading this book was both triggering and traumatising.
(I received a free review copy from NetGalley.)
Then, came the term, “post traumatic growth.” The idea was that trauma could bring about “positive psychological change.” That it “gives meaning to the challenges we have suffered.” And that this suffering “provides opportunities for extraordinary growth that we would never have been afforded otherwise.”
No. NO. NOOOOO.
STOP brainwashing people into accepting trauma as “beneficial.”
The author even stated that trauma was “part of life,” that everyone was bound to be traumatised at some point in their lives. (??!!!!)
NO. Just. No.
It’s more than insensitive for a therapist to say to a victim of horrendous trauma, “Hey, that’s part of life. You should be GRATEFUL!”
A therapist saying THAT to a victim of child sex slave trafficking, a victim of rape, a victim of domestic violence, a victim of drunk-driving car accident, a victim of random mass shooting, a victim of war, a veteran who lost his legs from being sent to an active war zone…?!
No. Traumatic experiences are NEVER ok.
No one should ever “expect” to become traumatised at some point in their lives. NO ONE.
Reading this book was both triggering and traumatising.
(I received a free review copy from NetGalley.)
December 23, 2023
"Aftershock" by Dr. Geri Lynn Utter is a poignant exploration of mental health and everyday issues. Utter skillfully weaves together relatable experiences, offering a raw and honest perspective on the challenges many individuals face. The narrative not only delves into the complexities of mental health but also sheds light on the resilience of the human spirit. The author's compassionate storytelling creates a compelling (and easy) read that prompts reflection and understanding. Utter's work serves as a valuable conversation starter, fostering empathy and connection among readers navigating their own journeys through life's trials.
December 23, 2023
When reading ‘Aftershock’ I felt the emotions behind each story told! I think this is a wonderful view on the “normal” traumas people face everyday! I think it also shows everyone that you don’t need extreme things to happen to you, for you to want to seek a therapist! I found this book to really normalize things that I am going through myself because at the end of the day everyone goes through shit! It’s how we deal with it that shows our strengths and this author has proved that herself! I would 1000% recommend this read !
July 20, 2024
kind of basic info, but helpful
July 13, 2024
Aftershock: How Past Events Shake Up Your Life Today by Geri-Lynn Utter, PsyD is an insightful guide to help people recognize and begin to heal from their own trauma “aftershock”. The author defines aftershock as "trauma-related suppressed emotions”. She also says that trauma, “It’s the recurrent bad dream that seems to linger in your subconscious.” Oftentimes, we try to hold things together for others and we don’t allow ourselves to feel emotions from commonplace incidents in life such as, the loss of a loved one, tragic incidents, serious health diagnoses, among other things. I can identify with this. Eventually, those emotions overwhelm us, and we realize we need help to walk through them.
As a person living with chronic illness, this book helped me understand the different types of traumas and how they affect us. One of the most interesting points that stood out to me was when the author discussed the theory behind post-traumatic growth. PTG suggests that people who have endured traumatic events might experience positive changes because of the adversity they faced. I have seen evidence of this in some public figures who discuss their past traumas and have mentioned that they have sought therapy. Throughout the book, readers are reminded that there is, “no shame in therapy”. In the final pages of her book, she provides details about what you can expect when you seek therapy.
Utter is open about her personal experience with trauma by sharing the story of her upbringing. She shares that she sought therapy throughout her primary education and college. I am glad that I came across this book. It was an eye-opener for me, and I will happily recommend it to others.
As a person living with chronic illness, this book helped me understand the different types of traumas and how they affect us. One of the most interesting points that stood out to me was when the author discussed the theory behind post-traumatic growth. PTG suggests that people who have endured traumatic events might experience positive changes because of the adversity they faced. I have seen evidence of this in some public figures who discuss their past traumas and have mentioned that they have sought therapy. Throughout the book, readers are reminded that there is, “no shame in therapy”. In the final pages of her book, she provides details about what you can expect when you seek therapy.
Utter is open about her personal experience with trauma by sharing the story of her upbringing. She shares that she sought therapy throughout her primary education and college. I am glad that I came across this book. It was an eye-opener for me, and I will happily recommend it to others.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews