I Can't Get over It

by Matsakis, Aphrodite

• ISBN13: 9781572240582
• ISBN10: 157224058X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-09-01
• Publisher: New Harbinger Pubns Inc

Summary

This groundbreaking work examines the healing process of recovering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, resulting from crime, accidents, rape, family violence, and sexual abuse. Readers learn to cope with emotions, recognize related problems, and identify flashback triggers. The first edition sold 28,000 copies. In addition to numerous updates, the second edition includes new chapters on suicide, traumatic memory, guilt and EMDR.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xv
Introduction	1	(1)
PTSD---A Normal Reaction to an Abnormal Amount of Stress	2	(1)
The Healing Process	3	(1)
Cautions	4	(2)
How to Use This Book	6	(3)
A Final Note	9	(2)
Part I Understanding PTSD	11	(130)
How to Use These Chapters	11	(2)
What Is PTSD? Do I Have It?	13	(26)
The Uniqueness of the PTSD Diagnosis	14	(2)
A Traumatic Event	16	(5)
Reexperiencing the Trauma	21	(3)
Numbing and Avoidance	24	(3)
Hyperarousal Symptoms	27	(2)
Duration	29	(1)
Degree of Impairment	30	(4)
Full-Blown vs. Partial PTSD	34	(1)
Other Reactions to Trauma	34	(2)
Now That I Know, What Comes Next?	36	(3)
The Biochemistry of PTSD	39	(26)
Biological Changes and the Healing Process	40	(1)
The Role of the Adrenals	41	(4)
Depression	45	(6)
Substance Abuse	51	(13)
Getting Help	64	(1)
Feelings, Thoughts, and Traumatic Events	65	(20)
Learning About Feelings	66	(5)
Remembering the Trauma	71	(2)
Self-Blame and Survivor Guilt	73	(7)
Self-Esteem and Self-Blame	80	(3)
Countering Self-Blame	83	(1)
It's a Beginning	84	(1)
The Three Levels of Victimization	85	(28)
The Shattering of Assumptions	85	(5)
Secondary Wounding	90	(4)
Overcoming Secondary Wounding	94	(9)
Victim Thinking	103	(10)
Why Am I Acing This Way?---Triggers	113	(28)
What Are Triggers?	113	(6)
Identifying Your Triggers	119	(1)
Coping with Triggers and Trigger Situations	120	(9)
Relaxation Techniques	129	(6)
Positive Self-Talk	135	(4)
Progressing Through Trigger Chart 2	139	(1)
Taking Stock	139	(2)
Part II The Healing Process	141	(104)
How to Use These Chapters	141	(1)
Healing Is a Nonlinear Process	142	(3)
The Prerequisite of Safety	145	(1)
Cautions: When the Healing Process Is Not Advisable	145	(1)
The Strength of Survivors	146	(1)
How Will I Know When I Am Healed?	147	(1)
Hang in There!	148	(3)
Stage 1: Remembering the Trauma	151	(16)
Problems Uncovering the Trauma	151	(2)
Helps for Remembering	153	(10)
Reconstructing the Trauma Mentally	163	(3)
Making Amends	166	(1)
Stage 2: Feeling the Feelings	167	(14)
The Necessity of Feeling	168	(9)
PTSD---Anger, Grief, or Helplessness?	177	(4)
Stage 2 Continued: Living with Anger	181	(20)
The Problem of Anger	181	(2)
Anger at the Self: Self-Blame and Survivor Guilt Revisited	183	(3)
Anger at Others	186	(4)
Taking Stock	190	(1)
Managing Your Anger	191	(10)
Stage 2 Continued: Understanding Grief and Sorrow	201	(16)
The Benefits of Grieving	202	(2)
The Grieving Process	204	(4)
Strategies for Coping with Grief	208	(7)
Accepting Grief	215	(2)
Stage 3: Attaining Empowerment	217	(28)
Appreciating Your Progress	217	(5)
Self-Care and Safety	222	(2)
Avoiding Revictimization	224	(4)
Harnessing Your Rage	228	(7)
Working Toward Compensation	235	(3)
Refinding Yourself	238	(2)
Accepting the Scars	240	(2)
The Promises of Healing	242	(3)
Part III Specific Traumas	245	(112)
How to Use These Chapters	245	(2)
Crimes Committed by Strangers	247	(22)
Guidelines for Using This Book	247	(1)
The Prevalence of Crime	248	(1)
The Psychological Aftermath of Crime---Acute Stress Reactions	249	(3)
The Shock Stage	252	(5)
The Recoil, or Impact, Stage	257	(7)
The Attribution Stage	264	(2)
The Resolution Stage	266	(1)
When Acute Stress Reaction Becomes PTSD	267	(2)
Rape and Sexual Assault	269	(18)
Guidelines for Using This Book	269	(1)
The Prevalence of Rape	270	(1)
The Myths of Rape	271	(9)
Dealing with the Emotional Aftereffects of Rape	280	(3)
The Decision to Prosecute	283	(4)
Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse	287	(18)
Guidelines for Using This Book	287	(2)
What Is Abuse?---Definitions	289	(3)
The Structure of Abuse	292	(10)
Generation to Generation: Inheriting Violence	302	(1)
Ways Out	303	(2)
Suicide of a Loved One	305	(14)
Guidelines for Using This Book	305	(1)
The Emotional Aftermaths of Suicide: PTSD and Depression	305	(2)
Rising Suicide Rates	307	(1)
Causes of Suicide	308	(2)
Suicide and Self-Blame	310	(5)
Coping with the Effects on Your Life	315	(4)
Natural Catastrophes	319	(8)
Guidelines for Using This Book	319	(1)
PTSD and Natural Catastrophe Survivors	319	(2)
Common Reactions to Natural Catastrophes	321	(4)
Pursuing Compensation	325	(2)
Vehicular Accidents	327	(14)
Guidelines for Using This Book	327	(1)
Vehicular Accidents as a ``Necessary Evil''	327	(1)
The Psychological Aftermath of Vehicular Accidents---Acute Stress Reaction	328	(1)
The Shock Stage	329	(3)
The Recoil or Impact Stage	332	(4)
The Attribution Stage	336	(2)
The Resolution Stage	338	(1)
When Acute Stress Reaction Becomes PTSD	339	(2)
War and Combat	341	(16)
Guidelines for Using This Book	341	(1)
War and Mental Health	342	(5)
Self-Blame	347	(2)
Anger and Grief	349	(3)
Premature Death and Suicide	352	(3)
Beyond This Book	355	(2)
Part IV Appendixes	357	(28)
A Getting Help---Survivor Groups and Therapy Programs	359	(5)
Finding a Therapist or Treatment Program	359	(5)
If You Are Referred to a Psychiatrist	364	(2)
Finding a Survivor Group	366	(2)
Further Reading	368	(1)
B Resources	369	(16)
Alcohol and Drug Abuse	370	(1)
Battering	371	(2)
Child Abuse	373	(1)
Crime	374	(2)
Depression	376	(1)
Eating Disorders and Compulsive Behavior	376	(2)
Legal Assistance	378	(1)
Natural Catastrophes	378	(1)
Rape and Sexual Assault	379	(1)
Relaxation and Symptom-Management	380	(1)
Suicide	380	(1)
Vehicular Accidents	381	(1)
War and Combat	381	(4)
References	385