The Truth About PTSD

by Chad M. Robichaux, Jeremy M. Stalnecker, Allen B. West (Foreword)

Though trauma is not exclusively a combat issue, the War on Terror has put a spotlight on PTSd. Our responses to the abnormal events of trauma were designed to help us survive and protect ourselves....that's not a disorder, but a blessing. The questions is, with the mountain of valid research compiled on Post Traumatic Stress, how do we move forward? The answer is found in understanding how we were created. There is hope and freedom on the other side of trauma, but not until you understand some essential truths that will make that freedom possible. Join us as we embark on this journey to discover The Truth About PTSd.

Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Jeanette]

"And one of the choices I made was not to be bound by a clinical diagnosis that says I am somehow disordered and incapable of a future that is full of hope, joy and purpose. As warriors, we are not victims and should not relish the role of being broken, disordered or a dependent on a health care system. Some clinical programs for combat trauma are necessary, but these should be pit stops on the road to recovery, not a permanent destination." (33)

"Generally, PTSd is treated as a mental or emotional disorder with medication and psychotherapy. The goal of this treatment is to make it possible for the sufferer to 'get by.' One of the interesting and complicated difficulties of PTSd is that no one treatment works for everyone. Each person, it seems, is a clean slate that doctors and therapists will throw various treatments at until something sticks." (51)

"A moment in time, a traumatic and abnormal one to be sure, now becomes the lens through which every action, thought, and relationship is filtered, often with devastating effect." (54)

"While we cannot control what happens to us, we can absolutely control our responses. Don't allow your circumstances or the decisions of others to define you or determine where you will end up. Much can be taken from you, but. you never lose the ability to decide." (76)

"It is possible to respond to abnormal events in a perfectly reasonable way without surrendering to the hopelessness that overwhelms so many. This will seem abnormal to most people. But it is not only normal, it should be expected. In his book Man's Search for Meaning (which has sold more than 10. million copies), Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl made this statement about these 'abnormal' situations: 'An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behavior.' He went on to explain that to not struggle with serious life trauma would be abnormal. . . 'Everything can be taken from a man but one thing:' he said, 'the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.' He understood that his life was not defined by what happened to him or where circumstances outside of his control may have led. His life was defined by the decision he made every day, even in captivity, to be the very best person that he could possibly be." (77)

"When we refuse to talk with others about what has happened in our lives, we tend to have thoughts that are either not true or not healthy." (81)

[Nathanael · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw the title, and read a little bit of the back cover, I was very hopeful this was finally a book (booklet, really) about PTSd, that truly expressed some of my personal concerns I have about those who say they “have PTSD “ or “professionals” who “diagnose “ people with “PTSD. “ The overall conclusion that these authors come to about post traumatic stress, and people struggling with it, is that these people are in fact not disordered, which I really appreciated them bringing out this truth. I particularly enjoyed the last chapter, where they highlight the fact that none of us should ever find our identity in a traumatic event, or any event for that matter, realizing that what identifies us, especially those of us who are Christians, is something far bigger and greater than a traumatic event happening in our lives. To struggle in life, is actually normal because we are sinners and live in a fallen world. So, overall I did really enjoy this book and will use it as a resource for others in the future, but I’m only going to be able to give it three stars leaning close to four mainly because I believe they could’ve been a lot stronger on some of their points. Some of what keeps me from giving them a five star rating on this book, it’s really no fault of their own since they did not do a deep dive study on PTSD, like I would like to find out there someday, or perhaps I shall continue to write my own book LOL! Which by the way, I have tentatively begun to write something!

[Kent R. Spillner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Perspective on PTSd

This book is an interesting take on PTSd. I don’t personally suffer from any PTS so I can’t comment on the accuracy or effectiveness of the content, but I read this book to learn more about PTS in general, and I found this book to be very interesting and informative. It’s definitely written more for an audience of people who experienced extremely traumatic situations, however, and is not really a general introduction to the subject. So in that sense I guess I really should have picked a different book. Oh well, that’s on me, nothing against this book. Still, I’m glad I read it.

[Kodi Adamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid intro to PTSd and its effects on the brain, the family, the individual, and a hope in Christ that recovery is possible. I would've loved to see more initial tips or advice on how to begin recovery because it's a great size for individuals who are unsure about their condition to learn more without feeling overwhelmed, but it doesn't give individuals initial steps to take towards recovery, and if this book is the only book they ever pick up about PTSd, then I feel the author missed an opportunity to really help someone begin recovering. Overall though, a good and quick little read.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not dead can't quit

Grit, embracing and enduring the suck, the willingness to die for others, being the strong ones, this is what warriors do. The same mindset that creates this mental toughness can also be a weakness when turned inward in dealing with trauma. Chad and Jeremy explain how PTS is normal and how to move through it. No one is alone, Christ is always with you, all you need to do is accept His outstretched hand. Thank you Chad and Jeremy for your service on all fronts and for this and your other books. God bless y'all.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me what makes this book special is the men who wrote it. They get it. They've been there. They have an answer that gives hope and produces results.

[Marjorie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful I sent it to several of my friends with PTSD.

[Cassie Hollenbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was given to me by my therapist. It was very insightful.