It's a nice fall day and our thoughts turn to what else but more BOOKS to read, on combat trauma and/or PTSD. There really is getting to be quite a crop -- a little TOO large to completey get a handle on. However, there are some suggestions for worthy additions to that list.
First off, check out Patience Mason's own bookstore, now online at www.PatiencePress.com She sells a copy of her key book, Recovering From the War: A Guide for All Veterans, Family Members, Friends and Therapists, which is slightly hard to find on Amazon and elsewhere -- now you can buy it directly from her. But while you're there, check out her other writings, many of which are available as downloads online. Here are a few key ones, with descriptions. This is the link to the bookstore on her site.
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The War at Home: A Guide to PTSD Symptoms for Veterans and Family Members, by Patience Mason. PTSD symptoms are often misunderstood and personalized by vets and their family members, leading to a war at home. This pamphlet goes through each symptom to discuss what it did or does for the vet, what it may be doing to the vet, and how the vet's spouse and family might be feeling as a result of each symptom. This can be very healing for everyone involved. 16 pages - $1.00
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After the War: For the Wives of All Veterans, by Patience Mason. Our best-selling pamphlet is addressed to the wives of veterans of all wars and deployments, from WWII to today's peacekeepers, A simple healing explanation gives courage and hope to an underserved population. Spouses and significant others are often at their wit's end because they do not know what is going on. 12 pages - $1.00
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Have You Seen Someone Blown Away? by Patience Mason. Written for teens who have been traumatized by school shootings, drive-by shooting, or other forms of violence. It is a simple, clear explanation of the symptoms of PTSD as a normal response to trauma and how to recover. Space is provided on the back to stamp an agency's name, address, and phone number. Pamphlet - $0.25
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An Explanation of PTSD for Twelve Steppers: When I Get Sober, I Feel Crazy, by Patience Mason. This pamphlet explains the symptoms of PTSD as survivor skills that make sense rather than defective weak or crazy reactions that evoke shame. Most people would rather be drunk than to think they are weak, defective or crazy. All our materials emphasize the necessity of becoming clean and sober as a part of recovery from the effects of war. Safety rather than “being good” is emphasized. You can't make healthy decisions or choices under the influence. 8 pages - $1.00. Also free online.
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Suggested Format for a Twelve Step Group for Veterans, Their Families, and Friends, by Patience Mason. Written with the effects of war in mind. It contains opening and closing readings, an adaptation of the steps, information on how to run a meeting, how to rotate leadership, how to share safely, what anonymity is and how to preserve it, suggestions for topics, literature to read, and how to work the steps. $5.00. Also free online.
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Suggested Format for a Twelve Step Group for Trauma Survivors, Their Families, and Friends, by Patience Mason. Written with the effects of any type of trauma in mind. It contains opening and closing readings, an adaptation of the steps, information on how to run a meeting, how to rotate leadership, how to share safely, what anonymity is and how to preserve it, suggestions for topics, literature to read, and how to work the steps. 31 pages - $5.00. Also free online.
