Review of Recovery from Complex PTSD
Posted: 27 Jun 2021, 06:50
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Recovery from Complex PTSD" by Don Barlow.]
Recovery from Complex PTSD by Don Barlow is a very insightful self-help book that intends to inform anyone battling complex PTSD (C-PTSD) that they can recover from it and live a fulfilling life. The author further gives detailed insights into the illness and provides ways they can heal from it.
Don Barlow is a survivor of a traumatic upbringing, as he grew up with a manipulative and abusive parent. He spent many years battling mood swings, panic attacks, and anxiety. Fortunately, Mr. Barlow recognized his symptoms were those of PTSD and began to research on the topic. Today, he has recovered from that trauma and wishes to share his knowledge with readers in this book. While most people have heard about PTSD, C-PTSD is not that popular. The author explains that while PTSD results from a single traumatic event, C-PTSD generally results from a series of events or a traumatic event that occurs over a long period. Mr. Barlow also gives the symptoms of both disorders and, most importantly, shares how sufferers can recover and reclaim their identity.
Firstly, I must commend the author for the amount of research put into this book. It's easy to notice this because he excellently breaks the topic into bits, cites the works of others, and uses well-known theories to corroborate his points. I especially liked his use of Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory to explain why someone suffering from C-PTSD finds it hard to maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. I enjoyed the book's impeccable organization. I never felt the information was overwhelming or not enough due to how the author progressively dissects each topic before offering solutions. The author's points are also related to the reader in a conversational and encouraging tone, making reading the book a pleasant experience.
What I like most about this book is the summary section at the end of each chapter. This part did not only help me recall the things discussed, but it also helped me understand the salient points therein. More so, I enjoyed the author's use of analogies because they made his points easy to understand. I also appreciate the exercises in the book and believe readers will find them beneficial.
Furthermore, the teachings in this book are not only for people with C-PTSD. The author's message is eye-opening and relevant to all readers. For example, I think every reader could use his advice on helping others. By helping others, you not only put smiles on their faces but also improve your self-esteem. Also, the author reiterates the need to seek professional help for mental issues without fear or shame, which, for me, is praiseworthy.
To conclude, I am happy to report that this book is exceptionally edited. I didn't find any errors in the book and didn't dislike any aspect of it either. Recovery from Complex PTSD deservedly gets four out of four stars from me because it's a well-written book that is both relevant and easy to understand. Therefore, I highly recommend it to people dealing with mental issues arising from a series of traumatic events or a prolonged traumatic event. This book would help you understand what you are dealing with and set you on a recovery path. Readers who are interested in learning about C-PTSD will also find this book very insightful and beneficial.
******
Recovery from Complex PTSD
View: on Bookshelves
Recovery from Complex PTSD by Don Barlow is a very insightful self-help book that intends to inform anyone battling complex PTSD (C-PTSD) that they can recover from it and live a fulfilling life. The author further gives detailed insights into the illness and provides ways they can heal from it.
Don Barlow is a survivor of a traumatic upbringing, as he grew up with a manipulative and abusive parent. He spent many years battling mood swings, panic attacks, and anxiety. Fortunately, Mr. Barlow recognized his symptoms were those of PTSD and began to research on the topic. Today, he has recovered from that trauma and wishes to share his knowledge with readers in this book. While most people have heard about PTSD, C-PTSD is not that popular. The author explains that while PTSD results from a single traumatic event, C-PTSD generally results from a series of events or a traumatic event that occurs over a long period. Mr. Barlow also gives the symptoms of both disorders and, most importantly, shares how sufferers can recover and reclaim their identity.
Firstly, I must commend the author for the amount of research put into this book. It's easy to notice this because he excellently breaks the topic into bits, cites the works of others, and uses well-known theories to corroborate his points. I especially liked his use of Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory to explain why someone suffering from C-PTSD finds it hard to maintain healthy interpersonal relationships. I enjoyed the book's impeccable organization. I never felt the information was overwhelming or not enough due to how the author progressively dissects each topic before offering solutions. The author's points are also related to the reader in a conversational and encouraging tone, making reading the book a pleasant experience.
What I like most about this book is the summary section at the end of each chapter. This part did not only help me recall the things discussed, but it also helped me understand the salient points therein. More so, I enjoyed the author's use of analogies because they made his points easy to understand. I also appreciate the exercises in the book and believe readers will find them beneficial.
Furthermore, the teachings in this book are not only for people with C-PTSD. The author's message is eye-opening and relevant to all readers. For example, I think every reader could use his advice on helping others. By helping others, you not only put smiles on their faces but also improve your self-esteem. Also, the author reiterates the need to seek professional help for mental issues without fear or shame, which, for me, is praiseworthy.
To conclude, I am happy to report that this book is exceptionally edited. I didn't find any errors in the book and didn't dislike any aspect of it either. Recovery from Complex PTSD deservedly gets four out of four stars from me because it's a well-written book that is both relevant and easy to understand. Therefore, I highly recommend it to people dealing with mental issues arising from a series of traumatic events or a prolonged traumatic event. This book would help you understand what you are dealing with and set you on a recovery path. Readers who are interested in learning about C-PTSD will also find this book very insightful and beneficial.
******
Recovery from Complex PTSD
View: on Bookshelves