Moving On After Trauma; A Guide for Survivors, Family and Friends: Press Release

Press Release: June 18^th 2008

"No horror has the last word"

This is the message to survivors of bombings, assaults and serious road traffic accidents from Dr Michael J Scott, Consultant Psychologist, in his new book: Moving On After Trauma: A Guide for Survivors, Family and Friends. London: Routledge (2008).

Over half the population experience a traumatic event in their life, either you or someone close to you will be traumatised. How do you or a loved one move on if months or years later you still feel distressed, as if the traumatic event/events happened yesterday? One way forward is using the tried and tested strategies in Moving On After Trauma, in which Dr Scott describes the paths out of trauma taken by twenty of his clients.

The reader is gently encouraged to follow in one or more of their footsteps. The book can also be used by a therapist or family member/friend as a kind of Sat Nav to help the victim go beyond their trauma. Included in the book is the Trauma Screening Questionnaire that was first used three years ago to identify possible cases of post-traumatic stress disorder following the London bombings.

From the outset the book acknowledges a trauma victim's usual poor concentration and suggests they read for just 10 minutes making a written note of what they have found useful, then have a break, such as a cup of tea and then try another 10 minutes. In particular readers have found the idea of ´dares´ very useful, just gently daring yourself to do what you have been avoiding in the way you get a toddler gradually more comfortable in the swimming pool. There is also specific guidance on managing nightmares, flashbacks, mood, anger, pain and the legal system. One trauma victim said that she found reading it was like being given a big hug, try it and see for yourself, when did you last get this from a self-help book?

Website: [ Posttraumaticstress.co.uk ]