Coping with life's traumas - Gladeana McMahon

The effects of trauma on an individual ripple through every aspect of their life and on the lives of those they are close to. Most of us are so accustomed to hearing media accounts of major disasters such as the Concorde air crash, Dunblane or the Omagh bombing, that we are in danger of forgetting the shocking effects of these events on both the people involved and on the people around them. But traumatic incidents don't necessarily have to be associated with disasters. Being mugged, experiencing a difficult childbirth, or witnessing a murder or hold-up: all these can also be harrowing ordeals, and can have the same devastating effect on an individual as a large-scale catastrophe. In this thoroughly researched and authoritative book, Gladeana McMahon shows clearly what is meant by both a traumatic event and by post traumatic stress disorder - how to identify it and how to address it. 'Coping with Life's Traumas' looks at how to identify traumatic stress, what professional help is available and how to assess it. Gladeana McMahon addresses more common problems by suggesting a range of self-help methods, including thinking skills and relaxation techniques, as well as counselling.;She finishes with a list of useful addresses and recommendations for further reading.