Walter F. McDermott

PTSD is a difficult subject to discuss frankly with the lay person, as a clear understanding of it really only comes from training, education, or from experiencing it first hand and receiving therapy.

This book is written specifically for laypersons, specifically for those with friends or loved ones who are or have served in the military and currently (or may yet) suffer from PTSD. Although terse at times, the book outlines the historical development and understanding of PTSD, its symptoms and treatments. It also goes beyond to explore how it effects husbands and wives, as well as coloring mood, emotion, and memories.

The goal of the book is to foster a better understanding of PTSD, which it does as well as it can given the complexity and emotionality attached to the subject. It's not a casual read by any means, but those of us driven to understand what is going on inside the head of your loved one have found it to be a helpful shoulder to lean on.… (plus d'informations)

In Understanding Combat Related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by Walter F. McDermott I found an open portrayal of Combat Related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder told in a way that was meant for families of the afflicted to gain a better understanding of what was happening to their loved one.

Written from a clinical perspective, layman’s terms were used to define clinical terms and to help families decipher information that doctors and psychologists might be throwing at them. Symptoms (both common and unusual) were soundly described. From a professional perspective, the information was a meta-analysis of the literature, the DSM-IV criteria and a brief synopsis of the ways that families encounter the disorder and reasons why soldiers respond to it the way they do. It is a primer for those unfamiliar with the disorder and who are looking for a foundation in understanding. From a personal perspective, the book was informative and is meant to soothe the nerves of someone who may feel shattered from what they perceive as the loss of the personality of their loved one. I processed the book in a way that read as if it were meant to help family members grieve a bit for what their soldier was going through while also seeking help on their own for how the PTSD was affecting them. I view this as a healthy way to work through PTSD.

Overall, the book was clinically written, but should be understandable for most with a high school reading level. It is not an easy read, but it’s not a long book. I read it best by taking it a chapter at a time and really processing the information before moving on; however, someone who is in this situation or has someone in this situation may choose to devour it. It’s a matter of personal preference. I would feel good about recommending this book to others who might be struggling with Combat-related PTSD themselves or have a family member or friend who was dealing with it. I received this book for free in exchange for an open, honest review of the material.… (plus d'informations)

This book has been very helpful to me, even though I am not a combat veteran. I have had the symptoms of PTSD for a very long time, and have read many books and articles on the subject, but this book has been the best by far.
The author offers insight by sharing his own experiences in Vietnam, and also from the different groups who met together in order to share their common experiences and learn how to utilize coping mechanisms in order to stop a problem before it gets out of control (for instance, recognizing the feeling of anger coming on in time to divert an outburst).
I really learned a lot about why people react the way they (we) do, how to use relaxation techniques and be able to talk about things that have been buried or avoided before.
This is a book that I'm sure I will refer to in the future, and I would recommend it to anyone who suffers from the symptoms of PTSD and their friends and family members.… (plus d'informations)

Overall, this is a very balanced book on introducing readers, family members of veterans, and veterans themselves to PTSD. Writing from the point of view of a clinical psychologist, McDermott focuses on his own experiences as a therapist to bring clarity to the issues involved. This book is very consistent in its portrayal of veteran patients as worthy of help and help which is effective. McDermott believes that most sufferers of PTSD can helped through medication and psychotherapy. Medication will in time become unnecessary for most but psychotherapy could be useful for the majority of sufferers.
The major issues of concern are covered in the middle of the book: Nightmares/Flashbacks, Guilt, Anger, Depression, and Low Self-Esteem. Some information is given on medications. McDermont shows a real sympathy for all veterans and their families. I felt that all the information given in the book was well intentioned and flowed from a person with actual working knowledge of these types of cases. This book is accurate, for the most part, and coincides with my personal experience with trauma patients. There were a few strange examples in the book of many perfecly placed illustrations. One hypothetical case he imagines is a woman who is forced at gunpoint to keep her hand on a hot stove or she will be killed. This he says is mind over matter and she can resist pain at a level higher than without the threat of life. In reality no one can willingly keep their hand on a hot stove for any amount of time and the involuntary reaction is to pull away.
He also says that Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam were times when Americans were always outnumbered and vulnerable to ambush and frontal attack. This was true for most but most higher command officers were usually well away from the any threat and insulated with many rings of security. The average combat soldier and the Field grade officer did not share the same threat level. McDermott argues this in his chapter on Vietnam Vets low self-esteem and why they need not shoulder the blame for "The War." Other times I was pleased with his evidence, such as the 25th Inf. Lt.Col. who denied that his unit resembled anything depicted in the Oliver Stone movie PLATOON. I love the patience McDermott takes with the elements of PTSD. His organizational skills are evident and his own deep patriotism is wonderful to read in these pages.
List of resources, Notes, Bibliography, Index, No photos.… (plus d'informations)