Have you ever had a near-death experience? How does it feel to die but still be alive? Are there situations that predispose one to this? Can near-death memories ever be forgotten? Is psychiatry more religion or science? Why do psychiatrists and psychologists often use hypnotism on their patients? Would you like to find out how these relate to PTSD? Then, follow Nattanya as she draws from her experience and cites well-researched sources to describe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Onboard a Boeing 727 NorAm airline when its engine explodes five feet from her at a 6,000 feet (1.83 km) altitude, Nattanya is thrown into the PTSD world, and she has a firsthand experience. She shares that PTSD is not about healing, but is a gift and a journey. It is about reconstruction. But how is this possible?
When I picked this book, I had expected she would focus on her story and begin from the PTSD-causing event moment. Instead, she writes this book to help other PTSD journeyers and provides carefully researched details. The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Fallacy by H. Nattanya Andersen is book 1 of a trilogy. In this first book, she delves into the depths of PTSD. She explains as best as she could what it is, what it feels like, and what treatment options are available. She goes on to touch on the failure of science and medicine to accurately characterize this condition, hence the inability to properly treat it.
There was a lot to learn from this book. I followed closely as she showed her healing journey. Nattanya found herself in a Spiritualist church, learned psychometry, had a series of MMPI assessments, had 24 different psychiatrists treat her, and finally freed herself from the mental health fallacy 10 years later. Through all these, she showed she is indeed a fighter. I was intrigued by her Self-healing methods as she gladly shared her experiences from which she learned there is no one in the world better equipped to be her own psychic and believes this must be the same for everyone in the world.
This book helped me see what the PTSD experience is. It is an existential crisis and not a mental health disorder as we are made to believe. I understood that for the PTSD journeyer to heal, they must first overcome the fear, not of death but life, and learn to live again. This they must do in conditions of peace and quietness, love and compassion. She also broke down concepts like the MMPI scales and scores, the DSM V, Behaviourism, Transhumanism, extinction learning, and a host of other therapies.
I especially enjoyed the aspects of psychometry, metaphysics, and our psychic abilities. The book takes one on a journey through the worlds of psychology, psychiatry, psychotherapy, religion, and a bit of brain physiology. Furthermore, each chapter builds on the final concept discussed in the previous one. This made it easy to follow her and not miss out on any details. I also appreciated the links to materials and resources she cited, which one can visit for more information.
Though I found just a few errors, what I disliked about the book was the numerous biographies and lengthy drug information details. These made it a bit drawn-out. These could have been summarized and references added. Furthermore, I found her attacks on the medical profession quite disturbing as not all her points are agreeable. For example, she asserts that many mental and even physical illnesses arise from pharmaceutical drugs and vaccinations, which to her are detrimental to health. I would encourage anyone who reads this to do their research before they’d decide to stick with alternative therapies and for which ailments they would do so. For these reasons, I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars.
I found her writing style quite scientific due to the reasons above. Furthermore, the book contains quite detailed religious and mystic content and would need to be looked at with an open mind. However, these would make this book a useful tool for anyone studying along these lines. This book might not be suitable for those who find scientific papers boring or who expect only the author’s story. I also find this book suitable for other PTSD journeyers or anyone who seeks insights into their personal questions as you might find a way to heal yourself. At the end of the book, she affirms what she has done to heal herself, but she would detail how in the next part of the trilogy. I’d love to see her how.