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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by myownfeet on January 30, 2005, at 17:13:59
Any book recomendations for an adult trying to understand and cope with the effects of childhood abuse and abandonment would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by Frida on January 30, 2005, at 17:55:30
In reply to Books for survivors of child abuse?, posted by myownfeet on January 30, 2005, at 17:13:59
Hi,
I am new here, but I wanted to answer your post..
I am sorry you are dealing with the consequences of child abuse. :-(
I have read The Courage to Heal. It has been helpful but it can be triggering and hard to read if you don't have a therapist to process the feelings and memories. I think that has been the most helpful to me.
Then there are some memoirs, but that is probably very painful to read, though it helped me to open up to my T and access my own emotions about the abuse. One of them is Because I remember terror, father I remember you. This has truly helped me in therapy, but if you read it by yourself it is very triggering too.I hope this helps some.
I would say The Courage to heal is one of the most helpful books I have read, but you have to read it slowly, and process what you feel and what comes to you.Lots of support,
Frida.
Posted by daisym on January 30, 2005, at 19:44:19
In reply to Books for survivors of child abuse?, posted by myownfeet on January 30, 2005, at 17:13:59
I like "Courage to Heal" too -- I like the workbook better. But I agree with Frida, don't try to do it by yourself, you need a support group or a therapist. I also recommend "The Body Remembers" and "A silent affliction". This is sort of a weird recommendation but I believe it will help you if you have abandonment issues and struggle against being attached to your therapist.
Are you in therapy now? Is this the beginning of a journey for you? The road is long and hard but you will find support here.
Posted by littleone on January 30, 2005, at 19:46:04
In reply to Books for survivors of child abuse?, posted by myownfeet on January 30, 2005, at 17:13:59
Here's the link for the book Frida mentioned:
"The Courage To Heal". Note that it is directed towards sexual abuse, but a lot of the information is helpful for any type of abuse.
I would recommend "Adult Children of Abusive Parents" by Steven Farmer. It talks about all types of abuse: sexual, physical, verbal, emotional as well as emotional neglect.
I've also started work on "A Gift To Myself". It is the follow up workbook to "Healing The Child Within". I quite like this workbook. It has really good questions to ask yourself to really look inside and understand yourself. But I think it is really only helpful if you are ready to do that type of work. I also think that I am finding it helpful now because I already have a fair understanding of why I am like I am. I think it would be hard to use if you were only just starting therapy.
Hope these help.
Posted by judy1 on January 31, 2005, at 12:38:46
In reply to Books for survivors of child abuse?, posted by myownfeet on January 30, 2005, at 17:13:59
I think all the suggestions by the other posters were excellent. Just a word of caution, make sure your therp is aware of what you are reading and if you experience any type of symptom (dissociating, etc.) STOP reading until you can discuss the trigger with your therp. and I promise you, if you have not worked out everything you will most likely be triggered. I wish you all the best- judy
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