Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition affecting millions of individuals worldwide. It manifests as a response to traumatic events and can have lasting impacts on mental, emotional, and physical health. One of the most powerful ways to cope with PTSD is by reading insightful and research-based books that delve into the nature of trauma and healing. Below, I have compiled a list of the Top 10 Best Books on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder that will guide you through recovery and provide helpful tools for healing.
Author: Dr. Emily Bennett
Dr. Emily Bennett is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in trauma recovery, with over 15 years of experience helping individuals heal from PTSD.
Best Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Books for Healing and Recovery
Whether you are seeking to understand your trauma or looking to support a loved one, these Post-traumatic Stress Disorder books offer guidance, practical strategies, and hope. Each book has been carefully chosen for its unique perspective on trauma, helping you along the path to recovery.
10. Somatic Therapy Workbook: Exercises to Treat Trauma, Complex PTSD, and Dissociation by Yevhenii Lozovyi
⭐ 4.7 out of 5 stars (39 ratings)
Somatic Therapy Workbook offers practical, body-based exercises to heal from trauma and reduce PTSD symptoms. By integrating mindfulness and self-compassion, this workbook helps readers reconnect with their bodies to overcome the lasting effects of trauma.
Why You’ll Love It:
This workbook provides actionable exercises for anyone struggling with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, making it a perfect companion for those who want a hands-on approach to recovery.
Fun Fact:
Somatic therapy is based on the idea that the body holds onto trauma, and by releasing tension and stress through physical techniques, you can heal more effectively.
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Category: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
9. What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo
⭐ 4.7 out of 5 stars (4,431 ratings)
In this powerful memoir, Stephanie Foo shares her personal journey of dealing with complex PTSD. With raw honesty, she explores the intersection of culture, trauma, and healing, offering readers a window into the life of someone struggling with emotional scars.
Why We Choose It:
This book is a raw, emotional memoir that highlights the long-term effects of trauma and how it shapes identity, making it highly relatable for readers with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
Fun Fact:
Stephanie Foo is an award-winning radio producer known for her work on NPR’s This American Life.
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Category: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
8. The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Maté MD
⭐ 4.7 out of 5 stars (5,560 ratings)
Dr. Gabor Maté, a renowned expert on trauma, delves into how modern society often overlooks the prevalence of trauma in our lives. He explores the links between physical and mental illness, helping readers to understand how societal stressors contribute to PTSD.
Why You’ll Love It:
This book is a deep exploration of how trauma is deeply embedded in our culture, and it offers fresh insights into the healing process for those with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
Fun Fact:
Dr. Maté has over four decades of experience in treating individuals with trauma and addiction, and he is known for his holistic approach to healing.
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Category: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
7. Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Melody Beattie
⭐ 4.7 out of 5 stars (17,891 ratings)
Melody Beattie’s classic book on codependency offers a path toward healing for those who find themselves enmeshed in toxic relationships as a result of unresolved trauma. This book is perfect for those suffering from PTSD who may struggle with controlling behaviors.
Why We Choose It:
This book helps people understand the connections between codependency and trauma, which are often intertwined in individuals with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
Fun Fact:
Melody Beattie’s groundbreaking work on codependency has helped millions of readers regain control of their lives since its first publication in 1986.
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Category: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
6. It Didn’t Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn
⭐ 4.6 out of 5 stars (11,675 ratings)
This insightful book explores how trauma is passed down from generation to generation, affecting your mental health and relationships. Wolynn provides actionable steps to break free from inherited patterns of trauma.
Why You’ll Love It:
By offering tools to recognize and break inherited trauma cycles, this book is a powerful resource for anyone with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
Fun Fact:
Mark Wolynn is a leader in the field of inherited trauma and has trained mental health professionals worldwide in his methods.
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Category: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
5. What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry
⭐ 4.7 out of 5 stars (16,576 ratings)
Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry engage in a heartfelt dialogue about trauma, sharing personal stories and scientific insights into how trauma affects brain development. Their conversation provides a compassionate look at trauma and recovery.
Why We Choose It:
This book’s conversational style makes it accessible while providing a deeper understanding of how Post-traumatic Stress Disorder affects people’s lives.
Fun Fact:
Oprah Winfrey, a survivor of childhood trauma herself, has used her platform to raise awareness about mental health and trauma for decades.
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Category: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
4. Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker
⭐ 4.8 out of 5 stars (10,795 ratings)
This guidebook by Pete Walker offers valuable insights and tools for healing from complex PTSD, which often results from prolonged exposure to trauma. The book serves as a roadmap for those seeking to reclaim their lives after trauma.
Why You’ll Love It:
Walker’s personal experiences combined with therapeutic strategies make this book essential for anyone struggling with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
Fun Fact:
Pete Walker is both a therapist and a trauma survivor, making his work particularly relatable and effective.
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Category: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
3. No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz
⭐ 4.7 out of 5 stars (3,644 ratings)
Richard Schwartz introduces the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model in No Bad Parts, offering a unique method for understanding and healing from trauma. This approach recognizes that everyone has multiple parts, some of which may be affected by trauma.
Why You’ll Love It:
The IFS model is widely used in trauma therapy, and this book explains how to apply it to your own healing journey, making it especially relevant for those with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
Fun Fact:
Schwartz developed the IFS model in the 1980s, and it has since gained popularity among therapists and clients alike for treating trauma.
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Category: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
2. It Didn’t Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn
⭐ 4.6 out of 5 stars (11,675 ratings)
This best-selling book helps you recognize how unresolved trauma from previous generations can shape your mental health. Wolynn provides concrete strategies to stop the cycle and heal.
Why We Choose It:
Wolynn offers actionable advice for addressing inherited trauma, making it a powerful resource for anyone with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
Fun Fact:
This book has been used in therapy sessions worldwide to help individuals break free from generational trauma patterns.
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Category: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
1. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
⭐ 4.8 out of 5 stars (76,347 ratings)
Bessel van der Kolk’s groundbreaking book explains how trauma reshapes both the brain and body. With a focus on healing through various therapeutic approaches, The Body Keeps the Score remains one of the most comprehensive guides on trauma recovery.
Why You’ll Love It:
This book offers an in-depth look at how trauma impacts both the mind and body, making it essential for anyone with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
Fun Fact:
Dr. van der Kolk is a pioneer in trauma research, with over 30 years of experience studying the impacts of trauma on the brain.
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Category: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
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