In the United States, about 60 percent of men and 50 percent of women experience, witness, or are affected by a traumatic event in their lifetimes. Many of them (8 percent of men and 20 percent of women) may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-a life-altering anxiety disorder. Once connected mainly with veterans of war, PTSD is now being diagnosed in many situations that cause extreme trauma such as rape, physical attacks or abuse, accidents, terrorist incidents, or natural disasters.
What is not reflected in those statistics are the millions of family and friends who also suffer from the shock wave effects of a loved one's trauma. Feelings-for both trauma survivors and those who love them-can become intense and unpredictable. It is normal to experience fear, anxiety, depression, and a sense of helplessness, but help is available.
Shock Waves is a practical, user-friendly guide for those who love someone whose life has been changed by trauma, whether or not that person has been diagnosed with PTSD. Throughout its pages are the voices of trauma survivors and those affected by a loved one's trauma.
Through her own personal experience, extensive research, advice from mental health professionals, and interviews, Cynthia Orange shows readers how to:
- identify what PTSD symptoms look like in "real life"
- respond to substance abuse and other co-occurring disorders
- Manage their reactions to a loved one's PTSD
- Cope with feelings of grief and loss
- Find effective professional help
- Prevent their children from experiencing secondary trauma
- Practice ongoing care for themselves and other family members
Each section of Shock Waves includes questions and exercises to help readers incorporate the book's lessons into their daily lives and interactions with their traumatized loved ones.
Industry Reviews
"Shock Waves shines a light on those who walk with the wounded; it honors their own tattered spirits and offers help. This book defines the art of self-care and how to couple it with caring."
--Patricia Weaver Francisco, author of Telling: A Memoir of Rape and Recovery
"An honest and hopeful approach to the important and challenging work of traumatic loss."
--Thomas M. Ellis, director of the Center for Grief, Loss & Transition and author of This Thing Called Grief
"With the earnestness of a teacher, the compassion of a healer, and the credibility of a partner living alongside someone with PTSD, Cynthia Orange has written a truly useful book. She leaves us with the conviction that self-care is not a lofty or selfish goal, but a necessity when in relationship with someone who has PTSD. The story of her own family's healing is a boon to the soul."
--Julie E. Neraas, author of Apprenticed to Hope: A Sourcebook for Difficult Times
"Cynthia Orange has written a wise, well-researched, and moving book for victims of PTSD and their loved ones. Hers is the voice of hard-earned wisdom from personal journey. I was moved to tears by the authenticity of this honest book."
--Ann Linnea, author of Deep Water Passage and Keepers of the Trees
"Shock Waves is filled with wise and down-on-the-ground suggestions for dealing with this pervasive problem in our culture. It is also the story of the author's own struggle with her husband's PTSD, narrated with a candor that does not flinch before the heartache and difficulties this disorder represents. Orange offers a next step for those stopped in their tracks, and a realistic hope for those who now can only see the darkness."
--Dr. Tex Sample, author of Earthy Mysticism
Shock Waves is a gift for those struggling to deal with the strain of supporting a loved one through the aftereffects of trauma. It distills much of what is understood about PTSD and brings to life the disturbing personal and family dynamics it creates. Above all it offers the experience, hope and practical wisdom of those who have faced the problems and overcome them.
-- Barry Smale, Trauma, CBT, Addiction and EMDR Therapist at Capio Nightingale Hospital
"Cynthia Orange has produced a beautiful, inclusive, and powerful book that names trauma and provides helpful resources for survivors and all who love them. Using her own family and experience, she weaves the heart-thread of story through incredibly useful information, guidance, and hope for recovery."
--Christina Baldwin, author of Life's Companion and Storycatcher
"Solid advice for taking care of oneself and one's family in the wake of a member's traumatization."
--Don R. Catherall, PhD, author of Back From the Brink and editor of Handbook of Stress, Trauma, and the Family
"Distills the essence of what is known about PTSD and its effects on families in a gentle, clear, and readable book of suggestions for healing."
--Patience H. C. Mason, author of Recovering from the War and publisher of The Post-Traumatic Gazette."
""Shock Waves" shines a light on those who walk with the wounded; it honors their own tattered spirits and offers help. This book defines the art of self-care and how to couple it with caring."
--Patricia Weaver Francisco, author of "Telling: A Memoir of Rape and Recovery"
"An honest and hopeful approach to the important and challenging work of traumatic loss."
--Thomas M. Ellis, director of the Center for Grief, Loss & Transition and author of" This Thing Called Grief"
"With the earnestness of a teacher, the compassion of a healer, and the credibility of a partner living alongside someone with PTSD, Cynthia Orange has written a truly useful book. She leaves us with the conviction that self-care is not a lofty or selfish goal, but a necessity when in relationship with someone who has PTSD. The story of her own family's healing is a boon to the soul."
--Julie E. Neraas, author of "Apprenticed to Hope: A Sourcebook for Difficult Times"
"Cynthia Orange has written a wise, well-researched, and moving book for victims of PTSD and their loved ones. Hers is the voice of hard-earned wisdom from personal journey. I was moved to tears by the authenticity of this honest book."
--Ann Linnea, author of "Deep Water Passage" and "Keepers of the Trees"
""Shock Waves" is filled with wise and down-on-the-ground suggestions for dealing with this pervasive problem in our culture. It is also the story of the author's own struggle with her husband's PTSD, narrated with a candor that does not flinch before the heartache and difficulties this disorder represents. Orange offers a next step for those stopped in their tracks, and a realistic hope for those who now can only see the darkness."
--Dr. Tex Sample, author of "Earthy Mysticism"
"Shock Waves" is a gift for those struggling to deal with the strain of supporting a loved one through the aftereffects of trauma. It distills much of what is understood about PTSD and brings to life the disturbing personal and family dynamics it creates. Above all it offers the experience, hope and practical wisdom of those who have faced the problems and overcome them.
-- Barry Smale, Trauma, CBT, Addiction and EMDR Therapist at Capio Nightingale Hospital
"Cynthia Orange has produced a beautiful, inclusive, and powerful book that names trauma and provides helpful resources for survivors and all who love them. Using her own family and experience, she weaves the heart-thread of story through incredibly useful information, guidance, and hope for recovery."
--Christina Baldwin, author of "Life's Companion" and "Storycatcher"
"Solid advice for taking care of oneself and one's family in the wake of a member's traumatization."
--Don R. Catherall, PhD, author of "Back From the Brink" and editor of "Handbook of Stress, Trauma, and the Family"
"Distills the essence of what is known about PTSD and its effects on families in a gentle, clear, and readable book of suggestions for healing."
--Patience H. C. Mason, author of "Recovering from the War" and publisher of "The Post-Traumatic Gazette.""
"Shock Waves shines a light on those who walk with the wounded; it honors their own tattered spirits and offers help. This book defines the art of self-care and how to couple it with caring."
--Patricia Weaver Francisco, author of Telling: A Memoir of Rape and Recovery
"An honest and hopeful approach to the important and challenging work of traumatic loss."
--Thomas M. Ellis, director of the Center for Grief, Loss & Transition and author of This Thing Called Grief
"With the earnestness of a teacher, the compassion of a healer, and the credibility of a partner living alongside someone with PTSD, Cynthia Orange has written a truly useful book. She leaves us with the conviction that self-care is not a lofty or selfish goal, but a necessity when in relationship with someone who has PTSD. The story of her own family's healing is a boon to the soul."
--Julie E. Neraas, author of Apprenticed to Hope: A Sourcebook for Difficult Times
"Cynthia Orange has written a wise, well-researched, and moving book for victims of PTSD and their loved ones. Hers is the voice of hard-earned wisdom from personal journey. I was moved to tears by the authenticity of this honest book."
--Ann Linnea, author of Deep Water Passage and Keepers of the Trees
"Shock Waves is filled with wise and down-on-the-ground suggestions for dealing with this pervasive problem in our culture. It is also the story of the author's own struggle with her husband's PTSD, narrated with a candor that does not flinch before the heartache and difficulties this disorder represents. Orange offers a next step for those stopped in their tracks, and a realistic hope for those who now can only see the darkness."
--Dr. Tex Sample, author of Earthy Mysticism
"Shock Waves is a gift for those struggling to deal with the strain of supporting a loved one through the aftereffects of trauma. It distils much of what is understood about PTSD and brings to life the disturbing personal and
