Surviving the Violent Death of Someone You Love
June 15, 2006
The events of 9/11 ushered in a heightened -age of anxiety - in the United States. These two books address this current mental health threat from notably different perspectives. Johnson's book begins with an -emergency guide, - with clear directions on how to stabilize family members after a disaster. This is followed by an explanation of key concepts like acute and delayed stress reactions, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex trauma, and the layering of trauma's effects. Psychological tools and exercises for dealing with trauma's lingering effects are provided along with case examples. Johnson, an expert in crisis management ("Trauma in the Lives of Children: Crisis and Stress Management Techniques for Counselors, Teachers, and" "Other Professionals"), has written a technically proficient and accessible manual.
O'Hara's "A Grief Like No Other" is a more personal guide to triumphing over tragedy. The author, a therapist in private practice, lost her college-aged son to a violent death in 1999. The stunningly unexpected and brutal nature of that event makes her journey to recovery surprisingly applicable to other forms of suffering, from domestic violence to terrorism and fatal car accidents. This harrowing yet hope-filled work is organized according to seven stages of recovery. Beginning with a chapter on how to craft the story of one's trauma, the author presents practical and positive advice and useful exercises on topics like finding guidance and resources, coping with overwhelming waves of feeling, and generating creative and healing strengths for rebuilding one's life. Her insights are thoughtful and original, including rejection of the term "closure", which suggests that profound grief can come to an end. While "A Grief Like No Other" is more focused and moving and has a better narrative flow, both books are authoritative, with references to sources of further information and encouragement to seek professional help as needed. Both are recommended for self-help collections in large public libraries and mental health collections." -Antoinette Brinkman, MLS, Evansville, IN"
Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.