I Can't Get Over It: A Handbook for Trauma Survivors

by Aphrodite Matsakis

In this ground-breaking book, Dr. Matsakis explains that post-traumatic stress disorder affects not just soldiers, but also suruvivors of many other types of trauma including: •crime
•vehicular accidents
•rape
•family violence
•sexual abuse
•natural catastrophes
I Can’t Get Over It directly addresses survivors of trauma. It explains the nature of PTSD and describes the healing process. This book will help you: •Find out whether you have PTSD
•Cope with post-traumatic anger, grief, and survivor guilt
•Recognize related problems such as depression, substance abuse , compulsive behavior and low self-esteem
•Identify “triggers” that set off flashbacks, anxiety attacks, and other symptoms
•Relieve wounding caused by others’ blaming and insensitivity
•Gain a sense of empowerment and hope for the future

Genres: Self Help, Psychology, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Abuse, Reference, Counselling

416 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tremendously useful book - I recommend this to any client I have who is a trauma survivor dealing with PTSD symptoms. It is a down-to-earth "owner's manual" for improving one's quality of life by understanding the problem, reducing the frequency and severity of symptoms being triggered, and speeding up the relief of those symptoms when it does happen. Matsakis is one of the field's leading authorities on PTSD, and she has performed a work of real service and compassion by writing this.

[Gala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Це одна з найкращих книг і на тему самодопомоги, і на тему ПТСР, які я читала. Вона написана з глибоким розумінням, та повагою і чуйністтю, просто, але без спрощень. Дуже шкода, що її не перекладено ні українською, ні російською, вона дуже на часі.

[Steve Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have read on PTSD, its symptoms and potential for treatment. The issue with much of the therapeutic strategies currently being offered is that they totally miss the point. OTSD is about the destruction if identity and to get a good grip on that fact people need to be taught about the theories of personality and identity development. Only once that information has been absorbed can they then see how their own sense of identity has been affected by their trauma. Contrary to perceived wisdom I don't consider PTSD as a pathology it is simply an adaptation. People need to be able to come to terms with that adaptation, the limitations it imposes and then learn how to function in whatever circumstances they find themselves with the sense of their present operating identity.

That does have tha capacity for change since indue tity is something that is constantly evolving. The management of their condition will bring about change that may or may not bring them closer to the accepted norms in their own society. Whatever the case it is pointless to do anything other than to operate on the basis of identity as it stands, taking into account the assumptions that are its foundation.

For those suffering from complex PTSD those are assumptions are based on:-
a) a sense of betrayal
b) a sense of a foreshortened future
c) a sense of contaminated identity
d) a sense of what is to them a counterfeit universe within which others live, their values and judgements just carry no weight.

Only then can people begin to function adequately

[Hester Rathbone · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I liked the Rape Recovery Handbook so much. This one is MUCH more dense and has a lot of examples of different kinds of trauma. I think that this was intended for anybody to use and has so much information in it just in case you don't have a therapist, but I found it to be long-winded in spots. I'm sure part of that was the pure repetition from the other book, but a lot of it was just me thinking, "Does this really need to be in here?" I actually nodded off in one of the beginning chapters - oops!
That being said, I like a lot of the later chapters, particularly the ones that center around specific emotions - anger, grief, depression. Those are really wonderful and I definitely would pass on specific parts of it to clients.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing resource for victims to actually process what has happened and is happening to them with secondary wounding experiences. Going through it I used the surveys and took many notes on definitions and even analyzing the affects of the stages of grief. Incredible! Well done!!!

[Lily Heron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read The Rape Recovery Handbook by the same author, that is the book I would recommend for those seeking specific guidance for rape, child sexual abuse, or sexual abuse in general. This one is much more dense and applicable to far more traumatic experiences, so in that sense it may be "better" depending on the reader, but obviously for someone who hasn't experienced war and combat/various other experiences, those chapters was irrelevant for me, hence my personal rating.

[Kelly Lou 🐝 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and a very handy book that will educate and reassure all at once. The journal style activities have been so amazing at helping to gain inner knowledge to help me move forward in my recovery.

[Fred Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few self help books that has helped with with my Trauma. I revisit it often.

[Cimuchowski]

Suggested by Larry Lourde of Saint Patrick's Catholic Church.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plenty of good information and suggested coping techniques.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great help and insite to my conditon. help me a lot and I'm sure it will help a lot of others who needs help and answers. Highly recommened.

[Maggie Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would have never healed and made the progress that I have if it had not been for this book and Dr. Matsakis. I would have come to a place where I could write my life story to help others.

[Angel Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I need to re-read.

[Emily Goldberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for counseling work- helpful insights into the ways trauma affects survivors' worldviews.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

So practical and easy to read!