As a clinical social worker, a conservative estimate is that 80% of the clients that I work with have experienced an index trauma, and many of the them struggle with subsequent symptoms of PTSD. Cheryl Roberts' book struck me as a very important contribution to the existing literature for families around PTSD, of which there is strikingly little. However, I found Roberts' book to be extremely lacking in content, focusing mainly on PTSD in veterans returning from combat, often providing a simplistic heteronormative assumption of relationships, and spotty history of the evolution of PTSD as a diagnostic category. Roberts glosses over the feminist movements in social work, psychiatry, and psychology that allowed for PTSD to become a formal diagnosis, and in what is presented as an inclusive guide, merely touches on the issues of interpersonal violence, intrafamilial violence, sexual assaults, and witnessing violence as major aspects of PTSD. While this book may be a welcome resource for the families of veterans, it is insulting to those in the field who know that PTSD has been a reality in the lives of women, men, and children in the US who are survivors of wars in the places that they call home, as well as those who have experienced combat. The book might be more appropriately marketed as a guide for families of veterans. It is equally interesting to note that Roberts does not have formal clinical credentials. While her experience as a family member of someone living with PTSD grounds her work and research in experience that is as valid as clinical training in the area, and enables her to really address some of the major questions that loved ones of survivors struggle with, it may also contribute to the imbalanced feel of the book, making it harder to relate directly to families who first learn about PTSD in traditional clinical settings, making it difficult to recommend this book immediately to families that have questions about the topic. ( )

Ms. Roberts provides a very good overview of the issues regarding the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD in all populations. Her writing is straight-forward and well researched. Of particular interest is the section discussing how trauma is perceived and treated in cultures outside of the United States. Ms. Robert's empathy and concern for survivors is clear throughout the book making this an especially good volume for families as they build new futures through the process of recovery.

This is a thorough guide to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The author, though not a clinician or anyone with formal training about PTSD, has collected a good deal of information about PTSD. The information presented is not overly scientific, though Roberts does present the guidelines for diagnosing PTSD. The information is useful for common people. This is a great read for anyone who is interested in PTSD, who is experiencing PTSD themselves, or who loves someone experiencing PTSD. I particularly appreciated the cross-cultural examination of the disorder, the chapter about PTSD and families, and the examination of the strengths that exist in families with PTSD. Don't overlook this book because the author's background doesn't fit exactly what you might expect.

This is an excellent resource for anybody interested in this subject. Although the author is not a certified psychologist (or with medical training for that matter), PTSD is explained in all its' complexity, from what it is to how it affects the family and treatment options. The book has also an amazing collection of references, including medical appendices, resources for PTSD and even recommended movies. I was impressed by the completeness and user friendly format, the beautiful writing and outstanding in-text referencing. This is a book not only for health professionals but for anyone who wants to learn more on this fascinating subject. ( )

This is a very decent overview of PTSD, what it is, how it can be dealt with, how it can affect not only those who are afflicted by it, but also those who live with and care about those who are. Definitely a keeper. ( )