The Unspeakable Mind: Stories of Trauma and Healing from the Frontlines of PTSD Science

Jain, a psychiatrist who specializes in PTSD, draws on her experiences working with sufferers of the disorder to outline a commonly misunderstood problem and its possible solutions. At a time when millions of Americans have suffered from trauma, this work sheds light on the symptoms of PTSD as well as the different types of treatment currently available, among which the “gold standard,” in her view, is cognitive behavioral therapy. Describing symptoms such as flashbacks and increased anxiety, Jain argues that “the goal of treatment should be to help survivors thrive in their new normal.” She also explores the diverse types of trauma that can lead to PTSD and related disorders, through stories from people she has treated. These include a woman traumatized by both her infant’s death from sudden infant death syndrome and by being blamed by her parents and ex-husband for the death, and a man whose memory of witnessing, over five decades before, a racially motivated assault suddenly manifests itself in late-onset stress symptomatology. This instructive resource can be recommended not only for those who have personal experiences with PTSD and trauma, but for anyone interested in learning more about the disorder and how it affects society. (May)