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Traumatization and Its Aftermath

In this page, you will find the latest information about the book Traumatization and Its Aftermath: A Systemic Approach to Understanding and Treating Trauma Disorders, published by Routledge (August, 2023) written by Antonieta Contreras. 

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The Writing Journey

Writing a book is a profound journey. For me, this adventure started several years ago when I embarked on extensive research, immersed myself in clinical observations, engaged in critical thinking, and underwent deep reflection besides teaching the material year after year. But it was not until the lockdown that I found the time to turn the knowledge I had acquired into written words. The culmination of these efforts is the understanding I'm sharing in the pages of my book. 

 

The journey didn't end with the act of writing; editing with the amazing support of my daughter, and then publishing in collaboration with Routledge, took almost another year. 

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The Publisher

Routledge is a renowned academic publisher. They came into the picture to finish forming the book and giving it a home.

 

With a rich history and an esteemed reputation in the academic world, Routledge has been at the forefront of disseminating knowledge and supporting authors in sharing their expertise with a global audience. They state that they are dedicated to delivering high-quality, scholarly works that contribute to advancing academic fields and promoting intellectual dialogue. Their commitment to rigorous peer review, meticulous editing, and wide distribution ensures that published works like mine reach diverse audiences, including scholars, practitioners, and students, who can benefit from the insights and knowledge shared within the pages. 

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Routledge was founded in 1836, and since then they have published many of the greatest thinkers and scholars of the last hundred years, including Adorno, Einstein, Russell, Jung, Bohm, Hayek, and Sartre. Today, Routledge is the world's leading academic publisher in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

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Routledge is brand of Taylor & Francis, a publisher with more than two centuries committed to the highest quality scholarly publishing with the purpose of fostering human progress through knowledge.

 

Both, Routledge and Taylor & Francis have offices all around the globe and they distribute their books in every area of the world.

The Title

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Choosing a title for my book proved to be almost as challenging as the writing process itself. From the very beginning, I was drawn to the idea of conveying the profound intricacies of "trauma" and the manifold layers it encompasses. After much contemplation, I chose the title How Deep is the Wound? I thought it was thought-provoking seeking to unravel the multifaceted nature of trauma, highlighting the diversity of traumatic experiences, the extensive consequences they leave in their wake, and the different levels of damage that the system could suffer from.

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But I was not able to convince the editors to use that title. Instead, 

Traumatization and Its Aftermath was chosen because it's a strong and informative title that conveys a sense of focus and depth regarding the subject matter of the book. The title chosen explicitly states the central theme of the book, which is "traumatization" and its consequences. It gives a clear idea of what to expect from the content, indicating a focused exploration of the subject.

 

Traumatization and Its Aftermath has the formal tone of academic or professional discussions surrounding trauma and its impact. It suggests the book as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, or individuals seeking in-depth knowledge about the subject, which is Routledge's mission.​

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The subtitle: A Systemic Approach to Understanding and Treating Trauma Disorders was much easier for us to agree upon. I wanted the subtitle to provide additional information about the focus and scope of your book. A "systemic approach" explains that the examination of trauma and its aftermath includes a holistic and comprehensive perspective. The book considers the interconnectedness and interdependencies of various factors related to trauma, such as social, cultural, familial, and environmental influences.

 

By mentioning "understanding trauma disorders" I wanted to indicate that the book goes into the intricacies of trauma-related conditions and their various manifestations while "Treating Trauma Disorders" highlights the focus on treatment underscoring the practical application of the book's content. "Treating Trauma Disorders" wants you to think that the book could be valuable not only for mental health professionals, counselors, therapists, and other practitioners in the field of psychology and psychiatry, but also for individuals who have experienced trauma. The book intends to give a shared language to be used by both.

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The Cover

Since I couldn't use "How Deep is the Wound?" as the title, I was determined to convey that profound message through the book cover. Fortunately, my son, a talented artist, offered his assistance in bringing this concept to life – the idea that trauma can be both deeply impactful and seemingly insignificant. He meticulously searched for an image that could aptly represent this message and found inspiration on the beautiful coast of Brazil. I'm excited to share with you some of the pictures that made it to the final selection before choosing the one that would forever grace my book cover.

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The image we ultimately selected depicts a stunning beach scene with rocks creating a captivating sense of "depth." The sky overhead is partially covered with clouds, yet the sun is breaking through, symbolizing the rays of hope that illuminate the path towards healing and recovery.

How Deep is the Wound 1
How Deep is the Wound 2
How Deep is the Wound 3
How Deep is the Wound 4

The Format & Style

I wrote Traumatization and Its Aftermath wanting to stay true to my robust academic background while infusing the book with the accessibility that I've used on my extensive interactions on Quora. Each chapter in the book emerged from a dynamic exchange of questions and answers, using a applicable and relatable style I've grown accustomed to through my online engagements.

 

The journey through the book begins with thought-provoking questions, with the intention to guide you through a narrative that balances anecdotes and in-depth exploration of the subject matter. My aim was to create an experience that not only imparts knowledge but also establishes a genuine connection between the content and your situation. Straying from overly technical language, I endeavored to explain complex concepts in a way that resonates with individuals from all walks of life.

 

I hope this book offers a welcoming path to understanding traumatization, fosters healing, and provides resources while embracing the uniqueness of every person embarking on this transformative voyage.

Condensed Table of Contents

Preface

 

Introduction

 

PART I -- TRAUMATIZATION

 

Chapter 1 – THE MEANING OF TRAUMA

  • What Does Trauma Mean?​

  • Personalizing Trauma​

  • Developing A Trauma Disorder (Or Not)​

 

Chapter 2 –THE SCIENCE OF TRAUMA

  • Survival as an Internal Traumatizing Agent​

  • Brain Under the Trauma Lens​

  • Traumatizing Agents

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Chapter 3 – SEARCHING FOR SAFETY

  • Preventive Mechanisms​

  • Protective Mechanisms​

  • Assessing Trauma Disorders​

 

Chapter 4 – THE SYSTEMIC COST OF TRAUMATIZATION

  • Introducing Trauma Domains

  • Trauma Domain #1: Emotions​

  • Trauma Domain #2: Dysregulation​

  • Trauma Domain #3: Memory​

  • Trauma Domain #4: Cognition & Perception​

  • Trauma Domain #5: Self​

 

PART II – THE AFTERMATH

 

Chapter 5 –IDENTIFIABLE TRAUMATIZATION

  • Date-Rape: Michaela’s ‘Trauma’

  • Shame as An Internal Traumatizing Agent​

  • Developing PTSD​

  • PTSD As The Framework For Diagnosing All Trauma Disorders​

 

Chapter 6 - PROLONGED TRAUMATIZATION 

Guys: Michaela’s Romances

  • Stress as an Internal Traumatizing Agent​

  • Trauma Domain #6: Dissociation​

  • Abuse as Traumatizing Agent​

  • Developing Complex Trauma​

  • Assessing & Diagnosing C-PTSD​

 

Chapter 7: TRAUMATIZATION DURING DEVELOPMENT

  • The Babysitter: Mendo’s Trauma

  • Trauma Domain #7: Brain Development​

  • Neglect & Adversity as External Traumatizing Agents​

  • Conceptualizing Traumatization During Development​

 

Chapter 8: TRAUMATIZATION BY FAILING TO ATTACH

  • The Mother: Clara’s ‘Trauma.’

  • Trauma Domain #8: Attachment​

  • Rejection Within the Attachment Relationship as External Traumatizing Agent​

  • The Unspoken Pain of Unresolved Attachment​

 

Chapter 9 - SOCIETAL TRAUMATIZATION 

  • Kin: Michaela’s Ancestry

  • Systemic Adversity as an External Traumatizing Agent​

  • Trauma Domain #9: Identity & Personality (Within the Frame of Systemic Adversity)​

  • Aggregated Traumatization​

 

PART III – HEALING TRAUMATIZATION

 

Chapter 10 – SYSTEMIC TRAUMA HEALING 

  • A Systemic Approach to Healing Traumatization​

  • Living Mode​

  • Multidimensional Dynamic Trauma Treatment​

 

Epilogue

If you or someone you know would like to read "Traumatization and Its Aftermath" but require financial assistance, please let me know. I am committed to finding ways to make it more affordable for those who need it. 

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If you are a mental health student or finished your degree within the last two years, please let me know. There is a special discount for you.
 

Additionally, there is an option available for educators who are interested in using "Traumatization and Its Aftermath" as a textbook for their courses. They can request an inspection copy of the book to evaluate its content and suitability for their curriculum following the instructions at Routledge Instructor’s page. 

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