The Mother of Trauma Research and Acceptance

[Kizzie]

I am definitely a groupie of Judith Herman who was the first clinician to propose Complex PTSD in her book "Trauma and Recovery" back in 1992. I have always wondered why it took 30 years to be accepted as an official diagnosis (WHO ICD-11 2018) and this article sheds a lot of light on why that was - She Redefined Trauma then Trauma Redefined Her. 

It's a really interesting read and quite disturbing to me at least that she was put through the wringer for so long.  Thankfully for her and for us she has come out the other end.     She has written a new book which follows on to "Trauma and Recovery" called "Trauma and Repair." I know I will be purchasing it.

[Moondance]

Thank you Kizzie much appreciated

[Bermuda]

Yes, thanks for sharing. Since my trauma feels so entangled with my sense of self I always have had difficulty with the word recovery. Repair. I like the sound of that so much better.

[Kizzie]

And one thing I particularly like about the word "repair" is that to me at least it implies that others must be involved not just us, abusers, society, etc.  It implies accountability and bless her heart for making that call in this new book 

[Armee]

Agree with the word repair. Also truth since so much is just denied. thanks for bringing this book to our attention Kizzie. I grabbed a copy at the book store yesterday.

[Kizzie]

Cool, have you read any of it yet?  I loved her first book "Trauma and Recovery" so I'm sure I'll like this one too. 

I've dedicated this site to her - meant to do it long ago but just never got around to it so am glad it's finally done - https://www.outofthestorm.website/. 

[Blueberry]

What a wonderful idea, Kizzie

to you for getting around to it, says one of OOTS' chief procrastinators

[Kizzie]

I emailed to let her know the site was dedicated to her so I hope she reads it.  I'm sure she gets a ton of email from survivors but I wanted her to know how much her long struggle meant to me and so many others. 

[Armee]

Congratulations Kizzie, on getting the dedication up. It's beautiful. And I'm sure she'll be touched to know that a community of survivors is here thriving in her honor.

I started to read the book but haven't gotten far, just maybe 10 or so pages. I read much faster if it's on my phone but very slowly for an actual book since I spend my life hiding everything from everyone, lol.

It really seems to be focused on societal justice for survivors and what we need from society to heal. I think it fills a huge gap that's been missing. It is very heavily based in gender and power structures. I think it will be a little painful to read because it so much calls out what is missing and what we truly need but just don't get much of.

I will say I personally have been a little triggered by it but that's OK I get triggered easily. It isn't graphic so far. It's more that it's touching up against uncomfortable points that make it harder to ignore what happened.

[Kizzie]

Tks, I kind of wondered if that might be the case but then I am triggered anyway by what is NOT yet available to us and why.  Maybe I'll wait until I am in a better place to read it though.  I've been struggling a lot so don't want to add to that.  I love that we have a famous voice making the case for us though, we so need that.

[Kizzie]

I heard back from Dr. Herman and she said she was very honoured by having the site dedicated to her.  I am so a groupie and I am not a groupie for anyone else - music, entertainment or otherwise lol.