Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A Guide and Map for Recovering from Childhood Trauma Paperback – December 13, 2013

This book was exactly what my husband needed. PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving offers deep insight into trauma in a way that’s both compassionate and clear. It helped him shift his focus inward and gave him tools to better understand what he’s been carrying for years.Pete Walker breaks things down in a way that’s relatable, without being overwhelming. It doesn’t sugarcoat the hard stuff, but it does give hope. Since reading it, my husband has been more grounded, more aware, and more focused on his own healing rather than just surviving day to day.If you or someone you love struggles with complex PTSD or childhood trauma, I highly recommend this book. It’s honest, validating, and truly life-changing.

Simply the best book on this subject! 11,000 five star reviews and it deserves 11,000 more! Trying to heal from childhood trauma and abuse is a lifelong struggle but this gem of a book with written with gentleness and grace. Wonderful advice to help you find your healing journey!

Stop scrolling and listen up. Do not even purchase another CPTSD book until you have read this one. Trust me, I have spent THOUSANDS, yes, thousands, of dollars on trauma healing resources related to CPTSD and its hellish symptoms but this one is *BY FAR* the best. It's the kind of book where you highlight almost every single sentence on every single page. Here's why:1.) Emergency Preparedness. Unfortunately, the way in which I learned about my CPTSD diagnosis was through a massive emotional flashback. In 2021 I decided to leave a marriage full of the same religious, psychological, emotional, and physical abuse that I was raised in. During this process, old trauma was triggered in a way I had never experienced before. For months I had been living in constant hyperarousal. I felt like a panicky and frantic child. The slightest sounds and movements would throw me into full blown panic attacks. I was insecure, anxious, impulsive, and afraid. I couldn't sleep or eat. I am only 5' and normally weigh 115 lbs and lost 20 lbs in 2 months. I was irritable, couldn't concentrate on my job, and felt constantly on guard. None of this was good considering I own my own six figure business and am a mom to three little kids. I kept digging and researching and everything I found was kind of similar but didn't really describe whatever it was I was experiencing. I had even bought another famous book on CPTSD looking for answers and it held none.But, 6 months later, I found this book. Pete Walker begins the book by saying something along the lines of, "if you are experiencing such-and-such symptoms, skip to page _____," so I did. My mind was blown, tears were falling down my face because I finally had a name to what it was I had been experiencing for 6 entire months now! It was an emotional flashback. Emotional flashback's are interesting because they do not have the visual element that is present in PTSD flashbacks and they can last for a long time. Mine ended up lasting 6 months and the only reason it stopped was because of this book.Sadly, until I read Pete's book, I had no idea what was happening. I just kept telling my friends who were helping me, "this isn't me. This isn't me. Something is wrong." I knew I wasn't myself, I just didn't know why. Now I'm here 8 months later trying to play catch up on all the areas of my life that suffered while I was in my emotional flashback. I wish I had found this book sooner. There is so much power in being able to name what you are experiencing and this book helped me do that.2.) Path to healing. When you first find out you have CPTSD its overwhelming to know where to begin your healing journey. The first book about CPTSD that I bought was a workbook, it was okay, but it was NOTHING compared to this book. Had I found this book sooner, I wouldn't have even bought the other one. Other famous CPTSD authors lay out the the different options for CPTSD healing (CBT, DBT, EMDR, Somatic, Internal Family Systems, Inner Child work, etc.), but Pete takes it a step further and tells you exactly where to start. Which is a massive relief because the last thing you want to do when your CPTSD has been activated is spend hours attempting to research opinions from people who don't even know what it is you're going through. The best part is, if you're distrustful or curious like me, Pete even explains why he puts certain steps before others. .3.) Lists. No one has time to read an entire chapter when their (or someone they love's) nervous system has been thrown into hypo- or hyper-arousal and they need to figure out what triggered them and why. Which is why Pete's easy to remember and easy to find checklists are literal lifesavers.4.) Pete Walker knows his stuff because he is a survivor himself. As a child I was told that I was a punishment from God on my mother. This statement was only the beginning of a deep seeded core belief I had that I was innately, permanently broken. Pete's book and the memories and experiences he describes didn't feel triggering to me but healing. It felt like for the first time in my life I could acknowledge that I was normal. I wasn't broken. Nothing was wrong with me. This book is validating and enlightening. A true salve for the traumatized soul.There are a million other reasons as to why this book is the best of the best, but, I digress. Just trust me and the other 6,000 people leaving reviews here and BUY THIS BOOK NOW!

This powerful and well written book offers an in-depth analysis of CPTSD. It not only covers this topic broadly in a self-help manner, but it offers suggestions for therapists/counselors, and it provides a detailed outline of steps to take to heal CPTSD for the reader. I was not expecting such deep, authentic healing to take place. It also happened to come at a time when I was in a deeply dysregulated state. What incredible timing.Pete Walker carefully guides the reader through what could be viewed as extremely difficult memories and situations buried deep within. He offers a road map - suggestions - in the event that a reader is triggered, how to address, acknowledge, and ultimately begin authentic healing. This book has had more of an impact on me than any other healing experience. I did not expect the powerful outcome, and I am grateful to have read this. I only regret that I did not have access to this decades ago. Please, if you have CPTSD or know someone who does (a larger number than we can imagine), recommend or read this book.

This can be a very heavy read. Recommended by my provider. Unexpectedly helpful in understanding trauma types, responses, and brain wiring that lead to behaviors later in life

It is more about his experiences, and his perspectives from a therapist's view. It is more helpful for therapists who are treating patients with this.