PTSD: What Everyone Needs to Know

What is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and who experiences it? Why do some people develop PTSD after a traumatic event, while others do not? What are the unique impacts of trauma on children? Are there effective treatments for traumatic stress disorders?

PTSD: What Everyone Needs to Know® is a scientifically-supported yet accessible resource on a disorder that affects up to 7% of adults during their lifetime. Utilizing a reader-friendly Q&A format, the book demystifies and defines PTSD, explaining that, despite popular opinion and countless media portrayals, this is not simply a disorder for combat veterans. Instead, survivors of any life-threatening event can experience PTSD. Beginning with an overview of common types of trauma, internationally-renowned experts on traumatic stress Barbara Rothbaum and Sheila Rauch then go on to describe the effects of PTSD, what can trigger the disorder, and who is likely to experience it. They explain how the most effective treatments work, and guide readers on how to be a source of support and understanding for those who have experienced trauma. Drawing attention to the pervasiveness of traumatic experiences in our lives and in culture and society, PTSD: What Everyone Needs to Know® is a must-read for anyone seeking authoritative and current information about this often misunderstood disorder.

Barbara Olasov Rothbaum, PhD, ABPP, is a professor in psychiatry and Associate Vice Chair of Clinical Research at the Emory School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and director of the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program and the Trauma and Anxiety Recovery Program at Emory. Dr. Rothbaum specializes in research on the treatment of individuals with anxiety disorders, particularly focusing on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She has authored over 300 scientific papers and chapters, has published 8 books on the treatment of PTSD.

Sheila A.M. Rauch, PhD, ABPP, is Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Emory University School of Medicine. She serves as Clinical Director of the Emory University Veterans Program and Director of Mental Health Research and Program Evaluation at the VA Atlanta Healthcare System. Dr. Rauch has been conducting research on and providing treatment for PTSD and anxiety disorders for over 20 years, and has been training providers in PTSD treatment since 2000.