My Monster Has A Name

Trigger Scale: 1/5

Introduction to PTSD Sourcebook Work

I recently started to again read the book The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook by Glenn Schiraldi. I have re-read the first 5 chapters plus chapters 6 and 7. I find the book to be a very valuable resource and hope to work my way through it’s entirety by the end of 2012. I am in no rush, but will share what I am learning here.

To see all related posts click the tag “PTSD Sourcebook“.

PTSD Cost Benefit Analysis

On page 61 there is an exercise to weigh the “benefits” and draw-backs of having PTSD. Simple but powerful. This exercise helped me to gain perspective.

Benefits of PTSD

Benefits of PTSD, or “secondary gains” you may be receiving from being diagnosed with PTSD or other mental issues may keep you from getting better. It is best to know what may be holding you back now.

Following is a list of the personal “benefits” that I receive from having PTSD:

Excuses:

• Excuses for not being very successful
• Excuse for way of living my life (i.e. lack of social life, missing work, financial issues, etc.)
• Excuse not to change or grow

Denial:

• Ability to deny feelings, such as anger and resentment
• Ability to deny sexuality
• Ability to live in the past so I do not have to plan for the future
• Do not have to expand view of self beyond symptoms. Don’t have to find a real identity. Can be defined by symptoms and don’t have to think of self as a real person.

General:

• Belief that others help or like me because they feel sorry for me
• Keep friends who are also not well
• Keep unhealthy relationships without having to assess them
• Total family separation without thought or guilt

Disadvantages of PTSD

Following is a list of the disadvantages of PTSD as I have experienced it:

Anxiety:

• General and acute
• Light sleep, awaken often (to every noise)
• Panic attacks
• Phobias
• Physical manifestation of anxiety (see health issues)
• Social seclusion

Health issues:

• Blood pressure issues (High and low)
• Caffeine addiction
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Fatigue
• Inability to eat or exercise healthfully on a consistent basis
• Inability/unwillingness to be physically healthy
• OCD tendencies
• Physical symptoms (nausea, dizziness, illness, intestinal issues, etc.)
• Stress

Self-criticism:

• Body image issues
• Constant confusion over the right thing to do, severe self-doubt
• Fear of self (see below)
• Feeling of inadequacy and wrongness; guilt
• Feeling of intrinsic badness
• Lack of friends and close relationships
• Lack of hope of someone who will understand me
• Overcompensations
• Worthlessness and general low self-esteem

General:

• DID
• Financial issues (from lack of work and missed time)
• Flashbacks
• Inability to deal with dead animals or spiders
• Intrusive thoughts
• Lack of general hope for future
• Loss of religious faith
• Nightmares and terrors
• No family
• Obsessive thoughts
• Over-analytical thinking
• Overwhelming feelings
• Self injury
• Suicidal tendencies
• Trust issues

Feelings on Exercise

Related Resources

• The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook

1. Diagnosing DID/PTSD and Body Sensations*
2. Therapy Script for Communication*
3. The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook Outline
4. Face the Issue – Great videos*****
5. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Timeline**

This is an outline of the material covered in the book The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook by Glenn Schiraldi. Currently I have outline the first 7 chapters that I have read. I will keep this post updated as I continue reading.

Introduction to PTSD Sourcebook Work

I recently started to again read the book The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook by Glenn Schiraldi. I find the book to be a very valuable resource and hope to work my way through it’s entirety by the end of 2012. I am in no rush, but will share what I am learning here.

To see all related posts click the tag “PTSD Sourcebook“.

Part 1: About PTSD

• Chapter 1: PTSD Basics – an overview of PTSD explaining the criteria for the disorder including exposure to stressor, event re-experience, arousal, avoidance, and impaired social and occupational functioning.
• Chapter 2: Making sense of the Bewildering Symptoms (Understanding Anxiety and Dissociation) – explanations of anxiety and dissociation, including a review of triggers.
• Chapter 3: Associated Features – explains the symptoms that can follow the exposure to a trauma, including:
• Self-Recrimination
• Shattered Assumptions
• Mood Disturbances
• Addictions
• Impulsive Behaviors
• Somatic (Bodily) Complaints
• Overcompensations
• Death Anxiety
• Repetition Compulsion
• Self Injury
• Other Self Destructive Behavior
• Alexithymia
• Changes in Personality
• Chapter 4: Frequently Asked Questions – question and answer section including questions such as:
• Who gets PTSD?
• What is the course of PTSD?
• What are the costs and benefits of PTSD?
• Can time heal the wounds?
• What about false memories?

Part 2: About Healing, Recovery, Growth

• Chapter 5: Principles of Healing, Recovery, and Growth – explains what the course of healing from PTSD will look like and 7 principles of healing. Also includes an overview of setting boundaries and feelings.
• Chapter 6: Treatment Approaches (Professional, Medication, Group and Self-Managed) – starts out with principles to optimize treatment success then leads into the exercise PTSD Cost Benefit Analysis*. Next there is an overview of the most common treatment methods including:
• Professional
• Medication
• Survivor Groups
• Self-Managed Treatment Approaches

Part 3: Preparations

• Chapter 7: Stabilization and Balance - this chapter will help you to pinpoint areas of your life you should attempt to make better before you start your chosen treatment option to put yourself in a place of readiness. Concerns include:
• Physical Safety
• Emotional Safety
• Concerns of Living – food, shelter, employment, medical and legal care, finances and time management
• Problem Solving
• Healthy Pleasures

Tables

1. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Timeline**
2. Therapy Script for Communication*
3. PTSD Cost Benefit Analysis*
4. Session Splash – May 26, 2009 Part 3**
5. I Quit! Therapy