The wounds within : a veteran's family, a PTSD therapist, and a nation unprepared

This true story of a Marine's experience after Iraq "offers practical advice for veterans and families coping with post-war emotional trauma" ( Publishers Weekly ). As America's longest wars end, hundreds of thousands of veterans and their families struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Wounds Within follows the case of Marine Lance Cpl. Jeff Lucey, who deployed early in the Iraq War, battled PTSD after returning home, and set his family on a decade-long campaign to reform the Veterans Affairs system and end the stigma around military-related mental health issues. Included in this book is the perspective of Jeff's psychotherapist, Mark Nickerson, an internationally recognized expert on trauma treatment. Recounting one family's story as well as case histories of Nickerson's veteran clients, The Wounds Within explains PTSD and the methods by which it can be treated. It also explores the challenges and frustrations facing returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan—from belated reforms to overwhelmed military families to civilians who don't know what to say beyond "Thank you for your service." "War is changing, and one of the biggest changes is in our understanding of what it does to veterans. This moving and eye-opening book will be a landmark in our country's efforts to come to terms with a growing tragedy." —Steven Pinker, author of The Better Angels of Our Nature "Nickerson's resilient quest to learn more about PTSD is inspirational, heartfelt and genuine. No blame games, just a positive focus on solutions. The Wounds Within is and will remain timeless." —Brig. Gen. (ret.) Colleen McGuire, director, US Army Suicide Prevention Task Force, 2008–12 As America's longest wars end, hundreds of thousands of veterans and their families struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Wounds Within follows the iconic case of Marine Lance Corporal Jeff Lucey, who deployed early in the Iraq War, battled PTSD after returning home, and set his family on a decade-long campaign to reform the Veterans Affairs system and end the stigma around military-related mental health issues. Their story is told uniquely from the perspective of Jeff's psychotherapist, Mark Nickerson, an internationally recognized expert on trauma treatment. Driven by the family narrative, and by later case histories of Nickerson's veteran clients, the book explains PTSD and the methods by which it can be treated. With coauthor Joshua Goldstein, an award-winning author, Nickerson engages the big issues of America's attempts to cope with the millions of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan—from belated reforms to overwhelmed military families to clueless civilians who can't get beyond “Thank you for your service." The Wounds Within combines a moving and compelling human drama with national policy and a clinical explanation of how to heal veterans' traumas. It will stand as the definitive account of PTSD in those who fought America's latest wars, and a much-needed source of information for their loved ones. As America's longest wars end, hundreds of thousands of veterans and their families struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Wounds Within follows the case of Marine Lance Corporal Jeff Lucey, who deployed early in the Iraq War, battled PTSD after returning home, and set his family on a decade-long campaign to reform the Veterans Affairs system and end the stigma around military-related mental health issues. Their story is told from the perspective of Jeff's psychotherapist, Mark Nickerson, an internationally recognized expert on trauma treatment. Driven by the family narrative, and by later case histories of Nickerson's veteran clients, the book explains PTSD and the methods by which it can be treated. With coauthor Joshua Goldstein, Nickerson engages the big issues of America's attempts to cope with the millions of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. The Wounds Within combines a compelling human drama with national policy and a clinical explanation of veterans' traumas. It will stand as the definitive account of PTSD in those who fought America's latest wars, and a much-needed source of information for their loved ones.-- From publisher description Mark I. Nickerson, LICSW, is a psychotherapist and internationally recognized expert on the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He teaches and consults widely on trauma, veterans, men's issues, and other topics, and has practiced individual and family psychotherapy in Amherst, Massachusetts, for thirty years. He is current president of the International Association for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a leading PTSD treatment. Joshua S. Goldstein is professor emeritus of international relations at American University, an award-winning author of many books and articles on war and society, and a frequent media commentator Safe but not sound : returning from war Bringing the war home : America's postwar PTSD problem "Enough horrible things to last a lifetime" : Jeff in Iraq "Camel spiders in my room" : Jeff in the home zone "I am watching our son die slowly" : Jeff in free fall Going public : fighting stigma and speaking cut Forward march : reforming the VA and preventing suicide Brain freeze : understanding PTSD Full recovery : treating PTSD Many stories : keeping veterans visible.