What would you do, or what would happen to you if you missed death by a whisker? That is exactly what happened to H. Nattanya Andersen, the author of The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Fallacy. Andersen (and perhaps other passengers. Who knows?) was left nursing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after they narrowly escaped death after their plane’s engine exploded and they made a successful landing. Andersen, after realizing that the PTSD treatments that were being used were not only ineffective but also barbaric, discovered (by mistake) a way to “help the Self cure the Self.” That’s what the book is about, curing yourself.
One amazing thing about the book is how well researched the book is. The author draws her evidence from several academic books, researches, and reports to support her claims, most of which are about psychology. I was familiar with some, having done some psychological lessons, but others (obviously a result of extensive research) were unfamiliar to me. For instance, she uses Carl R. Roger’s work on Client-centered Therapy (published in 1951) to support her claims that solitude is all that a PTSD patient requires to heal, and not the opium, Marijuana and prescription drugs that doctors give.
Andersen knows how to stand for and support her views, and this is another thing that I applauded about her book. She rubbishes whatever qualified psychiatrists and psychologists use to try and cure PTSD and says that they only heighten the complications, sometimes even leading to suicidal thoughts and eventually suicide among the victims. As she says, after such trauma-causing events, the victims have only two choices, to live or to die. She says the only thing that can make a victim choose to live is being in isolation and being given time with themselves. In the process, they reconstruct themselves anew. The good thing is that she explains her views in a logically planned and well-researched manner.
I found nothing to dislike about the book, save for a few minor errors. However, that did not in any way affect my rating. I, in addition to enjoying the book, learned new things and managed to connect dots with what I also have experienced in real life. I now understand why the bereaved are encouraged to separate from others in solitude to moan their dead. It helps them heal from the trauma of losing a loved one. I, therefore, rate the book a perfect 4 out of 4 stars. I enjoyed the book, learned new facts and I can’t find the slightest reason to deduct a star.
This book is a good read for those who want to know more about PTSD and Andersen’s method of healing from PTSD without going through the normal harsh therapy.