Judith Lewis Herman

My husband has been reading lots of books regarding trauma and psychology, and Hermann's 'Trauma and Recovery' was one of them. I was convinced by his second hand review and explanations to read it myself, and was surprised to find out it was the first conception of and argument for the recognition of complex PTSD.

Hermann is an excellent writer and even as an academic text, it is incredibly easy to follow along her ideas. What impressed me the most was how the structure of the book mirrored show more the journey of a survivor. Every chapter felt like a movement through the process of traumatization, it's recollection and recognition, and it's eventual recovery. Even the first few, which focus moreso on the background and history that led to the understanding of PTSD, feel part of this movement - the stage that is set, the world that the survivor is born into, and how it shapes the survivor's own trauma. Hermann draws examples and excerpts from a same few survivors throughout, their words on their own journeys reflecting whatever step of the path the chapter itself is on. Each point is illustrated with an example, though some are very hard on the heart to read.

While cPTSD has become part of the vocabulary of trauma itself, as it grows into mainstream consciousness' understanding of the world, it is sad that several of the core arguments for its recognition have not been acknowledged and integrated along with it.

For example, Hermann's arguments for cPTSD were based partially on criticizing the label of BPD, specifically how it pathologizes the survivor's perceptions and behaviors as a personality disorder instead of the products of complex trauma. BPD has persisted as a label, taken the shape of an almost legitimate identity for many, and is still used to disparage the women under its umbrella.

To give another example: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the task of recovering identity when it is formed under trauma, functioning almost as a guideline for those who are interested. My own impression of discussions regarding cPTSD is that they are centered more so around validating the trauma and understanding the "self" that is "formed" by it, often at the expense of internalizing the trauma as an inextricable part of the survivor. Transformation of the sort the book focuses on is rarely discussed alongside these topics.

What I mean to say here is this: That there is a lot of value in reading Trauma and Recovery even if you believe you have a good understanding of PTSD and cPTSD, because many aspects of Hermann's arguments have still not found footing in the cultural mainstream.

I do have some caveats with the book of course. The only one I'll address here is what I believe to be a narrow focus. The survivor is referred to throughout the book is a "she" and the abuser is almost always male in hypotheticals. It is understandable - the pronouns stand in contrast to the neutral "he" that was used at the time, it is feminist text focusing on battered women, and the statistical majority of abusers are men. However, it might still serve to alienate male survivors of rape/CSA, and anyone who was abused by a woman instead. As literature has evolved to reflect higher than previously known rates of abuse by boys and men, and the shadowy figure of the female sex abuser, it can feel a bit anachronistic. An understanding of a world where child sex abuse is endemic should require a wider analysis of even those whose abuse is in the "minority" statistically. Though all abuse, either of or by the oppressor and oppressed hurts the same, it is still difficult in a particular way for survivors and bystanders alike to understand, swallow, and accept the survivor of a female abuser and male victims, making an understanding of it imperative.

Overall, I am glad to have read it and highly recommend it to anyone, regardless of whether or not you consider yourself a survivor or have loved ones that are, because this book is an understanding of a world built upon child sex abuse. show less

As a Domestic trauma survivor, finding Trauma and Recovery was finding an Encyclopedia of my life. Herman details for the layperson and clinician both the pathology of sudden trauma, such as war; complex trauma such as childhood sexual abuse or Stockholm Syndrome such as kidnapping. My copy is heavily underlined and has been a staple in understanding my recovery process.

When I trained as a psychoanalyst, this book had already been published and yet I got next to no training on trauma. Reading it also made it clear to me that I had been a trauma victim myself and that in many respects, my view of the world wasn't so idiosyncratic as typical of trauma survivors. I only denied it its 5th star because it is now a bit dated with its ties to the medical model (though she does criticize it as well.)

some of it was definitely helpful, but parts of it felt frustrating to read. I enjoyed the first person narratives from survivors and would’ve liked more of that; the pathologizing sometimes feels redundant (??) and obfuscatory next to first person testimonies.