Complex PTSD

Unreal

I am a Marriage and Family Therapist and I had been trying to figure out my own family of origin issues. This book single-handedly changed my life and allowed me to just be. I cannot fit a review about this book without becoming a dissertation. Instead I'll just say this: If you are a therapist that works with trauma, read this book. If you are a regular person who has had an abusive past, read this book. If you are a regular person and you know a friend who has experienced abuse, read this book. If you are trying to be a better person, read this book. If you want to understand human psychology in the most intensive and deeply emotional ways, read this book.

Thank you for taking the time to read this review. Best of luck in your journey <3

61 of 62 people found this review helpful

Needs a PDF

Lots and lots of references to "this exercise" or "this list" but no way to get those other than to buy a hard copy of the book. Please add a PDF so those tool are available to listeners.

18 of 18 people found this review helpful

Brought me clarity and powerful tools to heal...

This book was the most empowering book I have ever read (listened to) to date. I never knew I had Cptsd until I found this book, it has opened a window in my world and shed light on what I did not understand within myself. The author being able to relate and offer tools on overcoming Cptsd was a huge comfort. Since finishing this book the fog has truly lifted in my life. I can not thank the author enough for this book, he has given hope and healing to so many souls. The narrator delivering this book read it beautifully, he had a kind and clear voice it was appreciated. This is a must read/listen to book!

30 of 31 people found this review helpful

Powerful, haunting, and on-point

This is the best book on the trauma suffered by survivors of narcissistic, abusive parents. Walker breaks down the four main patterns of scarring, and explains the process of recovery in clear, empathetic, and caring way.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Narrator doesn't enunciate...

Really glad I've got the paper copy, this was unbearable. What? What? Repeatedly having to rewind, made it about 7 minutes into chapter 1 before I returned it. Just no.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Now ... they tell me!

At 67, I 'm overjoyed to find a "feels right" explanation after searching for 60+ years to find ways to fix myself. I'm not sure what good it will do and, I have enough of the glossary to know how arduous the journey might be but, I am undaunted!

Pete Walker did the absolute best for ME ... he revealed enough of his personal experience for me to "feel" his honesty! Gotta say, in all my varied therapy ... Starting approximately 60 years ago, when I was 7, it was strongly suggested my Mother get me some help! Certainly far from helpful, my Mother choose a hypnotist (he had scrapbooks in the waiting room with newspaper clippings and, I could read!) My Mother was looking for truth ... and she had already made that an active and ongoing threat! I was terrified.

By 16, I'd become a ward of the Court and, therapy was a mandate. When I turned 18 ... I was hell-bent to prove "them" all wrong! I was not broken ... I jumped on every couch ... read all the books ... in a questing frenzy for Why!

I'd racked up 20+ years sobriety as a 12 step black belt who introduced herself as an AHOLIC ... chocolate, shopping, sex, drugs and, rock 'n roll .... anything ... If I liked it ... I overdo ...OCD 'till I'd OD! By the time I was 40, I'd garnered a plethora of professionals, been both best and worst patient ... a worthy subject for one's Master's Thesis and, another's Doctorial Dissertation; two psychotic breaks; two hospital recoveries, and a dozen years of ... Can't change being dropped on your head at two! Move on ...

But I had a dirty little secret ... crazy was catching up! ... My physical health was deteriorating and, I knew two things for sure ... I was no longer ME and, I could not/would not disembowel myself ever again within the male-dominated, emotionless qwacks practicing pseudoscience who, could not name a single patient they'd helped! Here was a clear and concise description of my progression. Nailed it!

Anxiety-driven curiosity in the driver's seat ... Too old ... too tired ... too late sarcastic defeatist riding shotgun ... CPTSD for Dummies roadmap ... Petal-to-the-metal ... 3 ... 2... GO!

We should all know never say never ... And the gods laugh when you make plans ... I was 61 when I heard Early Childhood PTSD AND, the coat fit ... almost but, treatment was iffy ... and VA Mental Health is limited, unstable and destabilizing. So I was gobsmacked 10 days ago when I stumbled into a TED fellow talking about a subset of PTSD, Complex PTSD! OMG!!! I watched everything YouTube, TED and more, but this beautiful tomb actually has it all! Descriptions, vocabulary, some authority but, he knows what I do ... How my brain works. He presents the pros and cons, forwarning and, in turn, forearming!

I was triggered by the information alone and, had to be taken in small and mindful bites! I chose to listen from beginning to end first ... no more than a chapter of two at a time. Chomping at the bit to dive deep ... Audiobook served its purpose ... I am now ordering a hard-cover text book, to highlight and flag ... Time to suit up and, do the work!

I have everything I need in my very capable hands. Exercises, worksheets ... clear options, clear instructions and, what success looks like! Time frames, expectations and caution signs. Suggestions for further reading, therapeutic references and referrals! I can feel light coming and, am not catastrophising a big train ... Good enough is at work and, I can already quiet the critic ... Well worth the double purchase ... One to loan and one owner's manual!

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

great book

love the book! wish the narrator would read with more emotion and fluctuation in his voice. it sounds like he's a professional box office movie trailer voiceover but that doesn't work for this kind of book

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

The voice of the person is very monotone

Important topic and helpful info. The voice of the audible is extremely monotone and depressing. I do not get the feeling the person has an interest or wants to help anyone.

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

Lots of useful information but...

He refers a lot to going back and looking at lists or techniques in which a pdf accompanying the audio book would have been useful for. Overall however, for those with cptsd or those who work with cptsd, this is a must read.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Incredibly comprehensive resource

This book was recommended to me and it held so many insight I need to listen again to digest it all