Good news! Good news! Good news!
The book about PTSD in children is a go! The contract is a done deal, thanks to Familiuas, the firm publishing the book. Their mission is “Helping families be happy.” A worthy mission indeed. But one often out of reach for families of children with PTSD. At least until the PTSD is recognized by parents, diagnosed by professionals and successfully treated by therapists. Then families can be happy again. A truth our family knows from experience. A truth my heart longs to share with families of kids with PTSD.
Good news! Good news! Good news!
Why Write a Book about PTSD in Kids?
People ask that question all the time. They ask why the book isn’t about PTSD in combat veterans instead. Here’s my answer:
PTSD in soldiers is a worthy book topic. Worthy enough to be the topic of many, many existing books. Enough books to make you aware of PTSD in soldiers and ask that question. But, if I said my next book was going to be about PTSD in combat veterans, would your first question be, “Why isn’t the book about PTSD in kids instead?” Probably not. And why not? Because most people aren’t aware that kids suffer from PTSD, too.
That’s why this book will be about PTSD in children. To raise awareness of the condition, to explain it in parent, rather than mental health professional, language. To point parents of kids with PTSD to resources and treatment options to make their kids well and whole again.
What Will Be in the Book?
The book, tentatively titled PTSD in Children, though I’m brainstorming more captivating titles, will share the basics of PTSD in children. Here’s a sneak peek:
- Our family’s story
- Definitions of trauma and PTSD
- Myths and misconceptions about PTSD in kids
- The history of PTSD diagnosis and treatment
- Current research in the field
- Instinctual responses to trauma
- Trauma from a child’s perspective
- Causes of PTSD in kids
- Symptoms of PTSD in children of different ages
- Diagnosis
- Treatment options
- Prevention
- Advocacy
And who knows what will be added as the research and interviews progress.
When Will the Book Be Released?
The manuscript is due November 30 of this year. The tentative release date is Spring, 2015. Which means it’s time to haul out the typewriter laptop and get to work. Which I’ll do right after delivering the following message to everyone who volunteered to be interviewed in response to the February 1, 2012 post, Calling All Parents of Kids with PTSD: I’ll be contacting you soon to set up an interview time!
Want to Be Interviewed?
If you’re interested in being interviewed and didn’t leave a comment at last year’s post, there’s still time! Leave your comment below, and you’ll be contacted very soon, too.
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Hi Tara,
You are halfway there when it comes to helping our son because you realize he has unconscious memories that are the root of the problem. There are actually many trauma therapists trained to help people (children over three and adults) access and process those traumatic memories without being retraumatized. Intensive Trauma Therapy, Inc (www.traumatherapy.us) in West Virginia has one of the best methods around and they train therapists around the country. You can visit their website to learn more. Also EMDR therapists with specialized trauma training can also be very helpful.
To be sure to know when the book comes out, you can sign up both for the RSS feed for this website and for its quarterly newsletter. Both sign ups are located at the top, right of this page. Best wishes on getting help for your son!
Warmly,
Jolene
Hi Tara,
You are halfway there when it comes to helping our son because you realize he has unconscious memories that are the root of the problem. There are actually many trauma therapists trained to help people (children over three and adults) access and process those traumatic memories without being retraumatized. Intensive Trauma Therapy, Inc (www.traumatherapy.us) in West Virginia has one of the best methods around and they train therapists around the country. You can visit their website to learn more. Also EMDR therapists with specialized trauma training can also be very helpful.
To be sure to know when the book comes out, you can sign up both for the RSS feed for this website and for its quarterly newsletter. Both sign ups are located at the top, right of this page. Best wishes on getting help for your son!
Warmly,
Jolene
I am very interested in seeing your book when it is published. My son, almost 7, has been a very challenging child. We have been told he is ODD with sensory issues, some ADHD and a mood disorder. My son had a post- birth bleeding trauma at 4 days old. We will never know the cause or how it stopped on its own. In my heart, though I could never actually prove it, I believe this set him off on this path he and we have been trying to navigate. We have sought help endlessly, seeing experts of all kinds. The majority write us off as needing “parent training.” But we have another son who is also loved and raised in the same home, often having to deal with his brother’s behaviors. He does not have these issues. Recently a dr mentioned PTSD. I have since wondered how do you help a child with PTSD when they can’t even consciously remember the cause?
I am very interested in seeing your book when it is published. My son, almost 7, has been a very challenging child. We have been told he is ODD with sensory issues, some ADHD and a mood disorder. My son had a post- birth bleeding trauma at 4 days old. We will never know the cause or how it stopped on its own. In my heart, though I could never actually prove it, I believe this set him off on this path he and we have been trying to navigate. We have sought help endlessly, seeing experts of all kinds. The majority write us off as needing “parent training.” But we have another son who is also loved and raised in the same home, often having to deal with his brother’s behaviors. He does not have these issues. Recently a dr mentioned PTSD. I have since wondered how do you help a child with PTSD when they can’t even consciously remember the cause?
Hi Sandi,
Thanks for your willingness. I’ll be contacting you in the near future.
Jolene
Hi Sandi,
Thanks for your willingness. I’ll be contacting you in the near future.
Jolene
My daughter was adopted at age 10 after a very long adoption process. Years of living in an orphanage left her with severe emotional scars, PTSD, as anxiety. Would love to talk with you about your book project!
My daughter was adopted at age 10 after a very long adoption process. Years of living in an orphanage left her with severe emotional scars, PTSD, as anxiety. Would love to talk with you about your book project!
Thanks, Sylvia. I’ll add you to the list!
Thanks, Sylvia. I’ll add you to the list!
Oh…congrats on the book deal!
Oh…congrats on the book deal!
You can interview me if you want to! Beth was diagnosed with PTSD.
You can interview me if you want to! Beth was diagnosed with PTSD.
Hi Shelby,
You are already on the parents-to-contact list! Thanks for your willingness to help other by sharing your daughter’s story. I’ll be contacting you soon.
Jolene
Hi Shelby,
You are already on the parents-to-contact list! Thanks for your willingness to help other by sharing your daughter’s story. I’ll be contacting you soon.
Jolene
Thank you, Kelly. I will be contacting you in the near future. Jolene
Thank you, Kelly. I will be contacting you in the near future. Jolene
Thank you, Wendy. Birth trauma will be mentioned, along with many other childhood traumas. But the discussion won’t go into detail about each individual kind of trauma. Instead, it will raise awareness of the many ways children can be traumatized and talk about how to intervene so it doesn’t become PTSD.
Thank you, Wendy. Birth trauma will be mentioned, along with many other childhood traumas. But the discussion won’t go into detail about each individual kind of trauma. Instead, it will raise awareness of the many ways children can be traumatized and talk about how to intervene so it doesn’t become PTSD.
I am thrilled about your writing a book about PTSD and children. Awareness needs to raised. Will you discuss birth trauma? In any case, congratulations and thank you for your work and dedication.
I am thrilled about your writing a book about PTSD and children. Awareness needs to raised. Will you discuss birth trauma? In any case, congratulations and thank you for your work and dedication.
Thank you Jolene for pursuing this! I am happy to be interviewed or help in any way. My daughter, who just turned 12 has PTSD from medical trauma. You interviewed us for your last book. PTSD is a very real thing that she and the rest of our family deals with daily. Raising awareness to this condition will be such a blessing. Please contact me if you feel our story will help others. Thank you so much!
Thank you Jolene for pursuing this! I am happy to be interviewed or help in any way. My daughter, who just turned 12 has PTSD from medical trauma. You interviewed us for your last book. PTSD is a very real thing that she and the rest of our family deals with daily. Raising awareness to this condition will be such a blessing. Please contact me if you feel our story will help others. Thank you so much!
My child is a victim of rape and suffers PTSD. We have spent years of trial and error trying to get her all the help she needs. Could certainly relate our experience if it will help other parents!
My child is a victim of rape and suffers PTSD. We have spent years of trial and error trying to get her all the help she needs. Could certainly relate our experience if it will help other parents!