Overcoming Trauma and PTSD by Sheela Raja is a workbook that incorporates elements of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT).
The book begins with an explanation of the effects of trauma, including how trauma memories, which are emotionally charged and situationally accessible, are different from verbally accessible memories. It then moves on to fundamentals of ACT, CBT, and DBT, and there are recommendations of specific strategies to try for various symptoms.
There’s a chapter on managing anxiety, and the author presents both the CBT approach of challenging difficult thoughts and the ACT approach of accepting them. She explains that one may work better than the other in different contexts, so it’s good to have both in your toolbox. I definitely prefer that kind of pragmatic approach to the more rigid must-challenge-thoughts approach that some CBT-oriented books take.
There’s also a chapter that addresses avoidance and exposure, and the author suggests that writing can be a useful part of systematic desensitization. The chapter on managing re-experiencing symptoms covers topics like mindfulness, grounding, and imagery rehearsal for nightmares (which involves practicing an alternate ending). The book also provides tips on when to seek help from a therapist and how to find one.
This is a short book—the epub version I got from the library was 105 pages. It’s set up as a workbook with clearly laid out worksheets, and while the exercises themselves would take time to work through, the written content is a quick and easy read. I think this book is most likely to be helpful for people who’ve experienced trauma but don’t have full-blown PTSD, or for people who want to try to manage on their own before seeking therapy and are looking for some basic guidance to get started. It’s probably not going to be all that helpful for people with complex trauma or severe PTSD, and that’s not really the intended audience anyway. I think it makes a reasonably good introductory book, and I liked the blending of strategies from ACT, CBT, and DBT.
Overcoming Trauma and PTSD is available on Amazon (affiliate link).
You can find my other reviews on the MH@H book review index or on Goodreads.
Thanks for this as always a good read….
Thanks!
I haven’t tried CBT but I’ve heard about it. The book sounds very dynamic and helpful.
*Correction…I’ve tried CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) but not DBT (dialectical behaviour therapy.)
I like DBT – it’s a good set of tools.
Very Informative content on PTSD Thank you for the article!
In addition, there is a chapter that discusses avoidance and exposure, and the author states that writing can be an effective component of the process of systematic desensitization.
Short but great book. I went through both trauma and PTSD..it felt like I am reading a book about myself.
The book Overcoming Trauma and PTSD is very good and worth reading, you can also play the game fnaf.
It may be less beneficial for individuals with complex trauma or severe PTSD, as they are not the primary target audience.
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This book review highlights practical strategies for managing trauma, drawing from ACT, CBT, and DBT. It’s great to see a resource that acknowledges different approaches to anxiety. Thinking about managing overwhelming feelings makes me want to relax with something simple, like a few rounds of Block Blast to clear my head. This book seems like a solid starting point for self-help, especially if you’re looking for accessible guidance.
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I appreciate your insights on Sheela Raja’s workbook. It’s refreshing to see a balanced approach to trauma and PTSD treatment. Personally, I found that combining different therapeutic methods can really enhance recovery. In my own experience, engaging in creative activities, like playing Snow Rider 3D, has been beneficial for managing anxiety and stress. It’s a fun way to unwind while also practicing mindfulness. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this book; it seems like a great resource!
Thanks for this as always a good read….