Top 5 Books that Reveal the Reality of Life Post-Trauma
Understanding the reality of life after trauma is not easy. Books about surviving trauma can provide a source of comfort, understanding, and validation to trauma survivors and those who work with them. As a medical professional and trauma survivor myself, these five books are my essential reads for anyone who has survived a medical or personal trauma AND those who work with individuals who survive trauma. Professionals include doctors, nurses, social workers, teachers, and mainly the general public. From personal narratives to in-depth psychological explorations, these five must-read books delve into the complex reality of life post-trauma. I also will be adding in why I love each book and why I claim it as a must read!
"It's Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too)" – Rediscovering Emotional Balance
In this thought-provoking work, author Nora McInerny invites us into her world of grief and recovery, offering a powerful testament to the myriad of emotions one may experience following a traumatic event. By bravely sharing her own trauma journey, McInerny illuminates the often-overlooked truth that every emotion, no matter how contradictory it may appear, has its rightful place in the healing process. Her authentic and engaging narrative reassures readers that it's perfectly normal to feel joy, sorrow, anger, or even humor, as they navigate their unique paths to recovery. "It's Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too)" indeed serves as a vital roadmap to the challenging terrain of post-traumatic emotional landscape. This impactful book is a gem among books about surviving trauma and serves as a compelling testament to the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of life-altering events.
Why I love this book: While I was living my real life hell of attending court hearings, neuro-ophthalmology appointments, and battling PTSD post-assault, this one book saved my life. Nora McInerny helped me understand that I was not the only one who experienced multiple, life changing, traumatic experiences at a rapid pace. Her book made me feel heard and that I wasn’t alone. The dark humor and reality of what my feelings were, were not only unique to me. Knowing these things made me realize I was not alone and the feeling of being less isolated helped give me a glimmer of hope that everything was survivable
"My Stroke of Insight" – A Neuroscientist’s Personal Journey
Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor invites readers to join her incredible journey in "My Stroke of Insight." At 37, this accomplished neuroscientist experienced a massive stroke, altering her life completely. She details her eight-year recovery process, providing a fascinating account of the brain's resilience and plasticity. This is not just a story about a scientist and a stroke; it's an intimate look into the inner workings of the human brain during a traumatic event. Taylor's personal experience allows her to share an intricate perspective on the physical repercussions of trauma, narrating the changes in her abilities, personality, and outlook.
She delves deep into the reality of life post-stroke, grappling with the impacts of impaired motor skills, language loss, and cognitive decline. Her experience, combined with her knowledge as a neuroscientist, allows her to explain these changes in a way that's both informative and approachable. Her narrative can offer comfort and understanding to those dealing with similar experiences.
Yet, Taylor's book isn't solely for those recovering from strokes or other physical traumas. It offers valuable insights to healthcare professionals who interact with patients dealing with the aftermath of traumatic events. She provides a firsthand account of the patient experience, a perspective that can often be overlooked in clinical environments.
Moreover, "My Stroke of Insight" delves into the mental and emotional aspects of trauma and recovery, exploring the innermost thoughts and fears of someone coming to terms with a life-altering event. She discusses her fears, frustrations, and triumphs candidly, offering a raw, unfiltered view of trauma recovery.
In her journey of healing and self-discovery, Taylor challenges our understanding of the brain, consciousness, and personal identity. Her story emphasizes the power of the human spirit, the importance of perseverance, and the potential for recovery in the face of adversity. It's a testament to the strength of the human mind and an intriguing exploration of the reality of life post-trauma.
Why I love this book: I read this book early in my career as a speech pathologist and it really opened my eyes to what the patients I work with go through during their rehabilitation. Dr. Taylor helped me realize that our patients are fearful and have experienced life changing. It wasn’t until I experienced my own life changing experience that I fully understood what my patients experienced, but this book brought incredible insights and improved my demeanor and skillset as a clinician.
"Toxic Positivity" – Unmasking the Dark Side of Cheerfulness
In "Toxic Positivity," Whitney Goodman presents a riveting exploration of the hidden damages of enforced cheerfulness. Goodman takes a stance against the societal pressure to maintain a constant sunny disposition, arguing that this can lead to emotional suppression, especially in trauma survivors. She shines a light on the repercussions of disregarding and invalidating genuine human emotions. Rather than encouraging people to suppress negative feelings with an always-positive façade, she advocates for the acceptance of these emotions as a crucial part of the healing journey. The notion of 'positive thinking' as a magic cure all is debunked, with Goodman arguing that it can often harm more than it helps. For those dealing with the aftermath of traumatic experiences, this book serves as a powerful guide to help understand and navigate through their emotional responses. Additionally, healthcare professionals can also benefit from the insights presented, aiding them to provide more empathetic and emotionally-informed care to trauma survivors. With "Toxic Positivity," Goodman opens up an important dialogue on the nuanced and often misunderstood aspect of emotional health, offering an empathetic perspective on dealing with the rollercoaster of feelings that follow a traumatic event.
Why I love this book: This book didn’t arrive soon enough in my life. I am not a huge fan of self-help books but when Whitney Goodman put a name to a practice I had such a disdain for after my assault, I felt like a human being. Everytime I would attend doctors appointments or court hearings, friends that had not chosen to not be part of my life would often say “You’ll be so much stronger after this.” I knew that I didn’t need to be any stronger than I already was and to be honest I got to the point where if I heard the word “stronger” one more time, I was going to scream. I had an excellent trauma therapist that didn’t believe in toxic positivity during this time in my life and helped me embrace my reality which has led to massive amounts of healing through radical acceptance, “it is what it is.” I highly recommend this book to anyone who can identify with this or finds themselves saying “it could have been worse” or “at least you’re not dead” on a regular basis.
"No Happy Endings" – Acceptance, Resilience, and Living Amidst Ambiguity
In her second exploration of trauma and recovery, Nora McInerny gifts readers with "No Happy Endings." Here, McInerny bravely confronts the reality of a life forever altered by trauma, a life that doesn't fit into the narrative of a tidy, fairytale ending. But, the absence of a 'happily ever after' doesn't signify a lack of growth or healing, rather it invites the reader to look beyond the traditional narratives of overcoming adversity.
This book captures the rawness of the healing process. It delves into the necessity of acceptance and resilience amidst the upheaval trauma can cause. McInerny encourages readers to make peace with their 'new normal', a state of existence where trauma is a part of one's life story, but not the defining factor. She does not shy away from acknowledging the discomfort and confusion that accompanies living a life post-trauma. Instead, she presents it as an inherent part of the healing journey.
“No Happy Endings” sheds light on the gray areas of recovery, providing a real, honest, and relatable perspective. It elucidates that the journey isn’t linear, nor does it culminate in a picture-perfect conclusion. It ebbs and flows, presenting victories and setbacks along the way. But in the face of this uncertainty, resilience emerges as a beacon of hope, guiding one towards acceptance and renewed strength.
This book underscores the truth that life may not return to how it was before trauma, and that's okay. The key lies in learning to thrive within the ambiguity, finding strength in resilience, and peace in acceptance. Throughout the narrative, McInerny's honesty and rawness serve as a reminder that it's okay not to have everything figured out.
“No Happy Endings” is a guiding light for trauma survivors and a valuable resource for healthcare professionals. It paints an accurate picture of the complex landscape of recovery, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the realities faced by individuals navigating life post-trauma.
Why I love this book: By this point I am sure you can see that I am Nora McInerny’s biggest fan but it’s because she normalizes grief. When you are someone who has experienced even the slightest bit of grief or massive amounts of grief, you don’t get to be the person you were before it all happened. You change and then another grieving process happens, the loss of who you once were. The chaos and uncertainty of trying to find your new normal is painful, blurry, and complicated. Nora’s shared experiences help the rest of us feel a little less alone with our feelings during life’s trials and tribulations.
"Bad Vibes Only" – Embracing Negative Emotions as Part of Healing
The thought-provoking work "Bad Vibes Only" by Nora McInerny offers a strikingly different perspective on navigating the challenging path of recovery post-trauma. Breaking away from the conventional notion that recovery requires unceasing optimism, McInerny argues that the acknowledgement and acceptance of negative emotions are fundamental to the healing process. She offers a persuasive argument regarding the therapeutic significance of facing adverse emotions and their transformative capacity in post-trauma self-understanding.
In this compelling book, McInerny invites readers to go against the grain and fully embrace the often unspoken negative spectrum of human emotions. Rather than advocating for forced positivity, she shines a light on the importance of confronting challenging feelings. This, she contends, isn’t wallowing but an essential part of personal growth and healing for individuals navigating trauma recovery. Through this lens, even uncomfortable emotions can become stepping stones towards a more personalized, authentic healing journey.
"Bad Vibes Only" advocates for the necessary validation of our entire emotional spectrum. Its groundbreaking narrative powerfully connects with those experiencing post-trauma, helping them decipher their emotional responses and assuring them they are not isolated in their healing path.
As a resource in the field of mental health, this text offers unique insights. It allows professionals to gain a deeper grasp of the emotional intricacies trauma survivors face. By advocating for emotional acceptance, McInerny illuminates ways to foster empathy in patient treatment.
Ultimately, "Bad Vibes Only" transcends its status as a book, becoming a powerful affirmation of our ability to embrace our entire emotional range. It stands as a beacon for those recovering from trauma and their supporters, providing a transformative perspective on the healing journey and life after trauma.
Why I love this book: Nora brings up valid points and that is that as survivors of grief and trauma, we are often revisited by negative emotions. Telling a survivor to move on or “hasn’t it been a few years since that happened?” is not only unhelpful, but shaming. This book sheds light again on the negative impact of toxic positivity for survivors of trauma, those experiencing grief, and just anyone going through a rough spot in life.
