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The PTSD: Simple, Effective Techniques for Overcoming Traumatic Stress Symptoms
Psychologists and trauma experts Williams and Poijula offer the most effective tools available for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Readers will learn how to determine the type of trauma they have experienced, identify their symptoms, and learn the most effective strategies to overcome these symptoms.
360 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 5, 2015
I was disappointed in this workbook. There was a lot of great information for recognizing and understanding the symptoms of PTSD, but not so much on how to overcome them. The questionnaires are helpful to get you in touch with how you feel and react, and why...but I think most people already know that. My hopes were to learn techniques to overcome those feelings and reactions, since, you know, that is the title of the book! Unfortunately, the only techniques offered were very simplistic, and were really more about how to distract yourself from your feelings than how to resolve them. I really can't recommend this workbook.
March 27, 2013
*I received my copy of this workbook through First Reads. That does not guarantee a positive or rave review, just because it was free.*
By no means should a person self diagnose a psychological or medical condition. That said, PTSD is one of the easier illnesses to recognize or to self-realize. "Oh. I've been through a Bad Thing. When I am in a similar situation - or when I am just walking down the street and I hear a noise that is similar to the noise in that situation, I freak out. I should probably get some help in coping with the Bad Thing."
I am quite lucky that I have not been in a Bad Thing. My family is healthy, my husband is not in the armed services, and I had a very good childhood. I know that a traumatic experience could still happen. Even reading the introduction to this workbook is helpful to non-trauma-sufferers, so that a person could immediately reach out to support, and to be prepared for the experience of flashbacks or triggers or dissociation.
Many of the exercises in the introduction are also good for non-trauma-sufferers to get a better image of how you deal with people and everyday events. The self analysis is useful for everyone.
This book is not just for veterans. PTSD can come from many more personal and smaller scale events than deployment to a war zone. I plan on donating my copy to a local chapter of the VFW or a women's shelter (when I am through with the book, that is).
By no means should a person self diagnose a psychological or medical condition. That said, PTSD is one of the easier illnesses to recognize or to self-realize. "Oh. I've been through a Bad Thing. When I am in a similar situation - or when I am just walking down the street and I hear a noise that is similar to the noise in that situation, I freak out. I should probably get some help in coping with the Bad Thing."
I am quite lucky that I have not been in a Bad Thing. My family is healthy, my husband is not in the armed services, and I had a very good childhood. I know that a traumatic experience could still happen. Even reading the introduction to this workbook is helpful to non-trauma-sufferers, so that a person could immediately reach out to support, and to be prepared for the experience of flashbacks or triggers or dissociation.
Many of the exercises in the introduction are also good for non-trauma-sufferers to get a better image of how you deal with people and everyday events. The self analysis is useful for everyone.
This book is not just for veterans. PTSD can come from many more personal and smaller scale events than deployment to a war zone. I plan on donating my copy to a local chapter of the VFW or a women's shelter (when I am through with the book, that is).
March 23, 2018
A very easy and yet difficult workbook to go through. I chose to unlearn the toxicity of my childhood sexual abuse with the help of an LPC and weekly assignments from this book for about 5-6 months.
April 2, 2019
Of the range of books I looked at, this is only one with a solid discussion of C-PTSD.
July 25, 2019
This is labeled as a self-help book, but I wouldn't recommend it being used by someone on their own. If you're trying to come to terms with whether you have PTSD, are in the throws of suffering from it or trying to deal with it, this book's exercises will trigger you in a variety of ways. The exercises are geared to have you remember trauma, relive it, confront coping mechanism symptoms, make yourself aware of negative behaviors, all of which is more than likely to enhance trauma, trigger further negative experiences, and escalate issues if done without a support framework.
I would recommend using this book in tandem with a therapist or other professional who is versed in trauma processing and supporting those with PTSD. This not only provides the safe space most sufferers struggle to create for themselves and which is absolutely necessary for this type of work, but helps retrain and heal the Limbic system to expect positive results from going through difficult and triggering situations.
I would recommend using this book in tandem with a therapist or other professional who is versed in trauma processing and supporting those with PTSD. This not only provides the safe space most sufferers struggle to create for themselves and which is absolutely necessary for this type of work, but helps retrain and heal the Limbic system to expect positive results from going through difficult and triggering situations.
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August 23, 20220 out of 10, really helped with my PTSD which sucks because now i don’t have a personality! bring it back
January 30, 2023
Did not seem useful
August 22, 2016
This is a workbook which means that if you really want to get the most out of it you have to have your own copy and fill all the blanks and answer the questions. It's big, over 350 pages, and will take some time but the exercise will probably be worth it. If you have PTSD and want to work at dealing with it, this would probably be one relatively inexpensive way to do that. It looks very promising and I plan to try it myself, although it's difficult to give it a rating before actually doing it.
June 16, 2016
*I received my copy of this workbook through First Reads. That does not guarantee a positive or rave review, just because it was free.*
I found the exercises helpful and it is a good workbook to have in the home to refer back to. If you have PTSD but still are relatively mentally stable you can work on this alone at your own pace. But I would recommend anyone with severe PTSD or multiple mental health and health issues to use this book in conjunction with their therapist and doctors.
I found the exercises helpful and it is a good workbook to have in the home to refer back to. If you have PTSD but still are relatively mentally stable you can work on this alone at your own pace. But I would recommend anyone with severe PTSD or multiple mental health and health issues to use this book in conjunction with their therapist and doctors.
April 19, 2013
Great workbook for those in the mental health field. I think this would be great to use in classrooms for teaching also. The techniques are explained very well and I think this would also be wonderful for someone who is struggling with PTSD. I plan on sharing this book with others and would recommend it.
November 2, 2013
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway. I refer to it constantly in my work with survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence; it's highly informative and readable. My only critique is that it fails to give a simple definition of trauma before delving into defining PTSD, an important clarification for anyone newly exploring trauma and PTSD.
October 21, 2021
Has a couple of good suggestions, but is filled with woo woo nonsense and religious idiocy - which is more than counterproductive for someone like me who has PTSD issues related to religious indoctrination and abuse. Multiple sections even tell you to pray for therapeutic purposes and other such absurdities.
June 25, 2012
Honestly, I read a a few chapters and was not impressed.
There were several unneeded swear words which curtailed my interest.
Taking the online course at the U of U was on Dealing with Traumatic Experiences; was way more informative than this Workbook.
Chelsea Merkley
There were several unneeded swear words which curtailed my interest.
Taking the online course at the U of U was on Dealing with Traumatic Experiences; was way more informative than this Workbook.
Chelsea Merkley
July 8, 2007
My top pick if you're looking for info on PTSD. It's a do-it-yourself therapy guide.
April 10, 2009
Love this one. It is a great compilation of skills/techniques.
May 17, 2010
This has been so effective in my work with clients overcoming trauma.
October 18, 2011
Didn't need it much.
September 21, 2014
Helpful albeit bizarre at times.
March 22, 2013
I have found this book a wonderful help. My husband was deployed and we've been doing this together.
June 6, 2013
Love the updates and additions and the layout is more user-friendly. This book is a must for therapists!
Want to read
February 14, 2016Taking a break from this until further notice. (Tired of seeing the poor thing languishing on my "currently reading" list...)
December 9, 2014
Seems useful/insightful so far. :)
October 8, 2015
Found I needed a more holistic response.
June 22, 2016
It had good information but I was hoping it would have more about PTSD from domestic violence.
February 9, 2017
For anyone who has ever experienced any type of trauma in their iLife, this book is a must have on your road to recovery.
May 21, 2023
This guidebook is something I could easily envision sharing with clients who are struggling with PTSD. Chapters are thorough and encourage gradual progress marked with patience, self-acceptance, and grounding techniques to maintain a sense of safety throughout. CBT seems to be the foundation of many included practices.
June 21, 2021
Comprehensive guide about traumas and toolbox
Great big book about ptsd, author provided comprehensive guideline about ptsd symptoms and solutions, both cognitive and physical solutions to issues. great job!
Great big book about ptsd, author provided comprehensive guideline about ptsd symptoms and solutions, both cognitive and physical solutions to issues. great job!
June 9, 2020
Not much on how to overcome PTSD. Has worksheets but doesn't explain how to use them very well.
February 4, 2021
Lord of great tools and worksheets for clinicians and clients. Would recommend for any trauma focused counselor.
February 8, 2023
Hay partes que me han resultado útiles pero otras poco o nada.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews