This book has been designated one of the "BEST BOOKS OF 2009" by the Library Journal. This book review is part of a series that covers the topic of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat. Dr. Diane England is the Official Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Relationship: How to Support Your Partner and Keep Your Relationship Healthy, by Dr. Diane England, is a valuable resource for people interested in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and it is available through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.

Book Description

War, physical and sexual abuse, and natural disasters. All crises have one thing in common: Victims often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their loved ones suffer right along with them. In this book, couples will learn how to have a healthy relationship, in spite of a stressful and debilitating disorder. They’ll learn how to:

  • Deal with emotions regarding their partner’s PTSD
  • Talk about the traumatic event(s)
  • Communicate about the effects of PTSD to their children
  • Handle sexual relations when a PTSD partner has suffered a traumatic sexual event
  • Help their partner cope with everyday life issues

    When someone has gone through a traumatic event in his or her life, he or she needs a partner more than ever. This is the complete guide to keeping the relationship strong and helping both partners recover in happy, healthy ways.

    The following review appeared about Dr. Diane England's self-help book, The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Relationship, in the July 15, 2009 issue of the Library Journal:

    For five years, psychotherapist England worked with military families at a NATO base. Drawing on those experiences, she compassionately helps couples cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Whether the PTSD patient suffered trauma during military warfare, physical or sexual abuse, or natural disasters, the partner is affected and needs to learn how to interact with the affected partner. Timely and well done; essential in communities with returning Iraq and Afghanistan vets.

    Experts' Recommendations

    “The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Relationship is truly the toolbox the partner of a PTSD sufferer needs if he or she wants to help save the partner, their relationship, and their children from the potentially devastating consequences of this disorder.”

    • Jesse J. Harris, PhD, Colonel, U.S Army Retired, Former Social Work Consultant for the Army Surgeon General; Professor and Dean Emeritus, School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore; and a Recipient of the National Association of Social workers Lifetime Achievement Award

    "This is a book overflowing with information, sound advice, and exercises to help you turn what might seem like a tragedy into a springboard for personal and relationship growth."

    • Rene´ J. Robichaux, PhD, LCSW, Colonel, US Army Retired, Former Social Work Officer and Chief, Behavioral Health Division, US Army Medical Command

    “I wish I’d had The Post-Truamatic Stress Disorder Relationship as a resource when I began working solely with America's combat veterans at the Denver VA Medical Center. This book provides a comprehensive and insightful description of the challenges that PTSD inflicts on the sufferer, the partner/spouse, their children, family and friends. It is a must read for clinicians (particularly in the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs), those wounded by PTSD and those in their circle of life. It not only leads to a thorough understanding of PTSD but offers direction for healing for all concerned.”

    • Calvin Neptune, PhD, LCSW, Colonel, US Army Retired, Former Social Work Consultant, Office of the Army Surgeon General. Also recently retired clinical social worker with the PTSD Residential Rehabilitation Program, Denver VA Medical Center

    “Dr. Diane England has performed an invaluable service for so many by writing this superb, comprehensive guide to relationships where PTSD is present. She has developed a unique pragmatic systems approach, thus making this a practical “how to” guide that will promote human welfare for many as well as contribute to the literature on PTSD. Well done, Dr. England!”

    • Ernest J Lenz, PhD, MPH, Colonel, US Army Retired, Former Psychology Consultant, US Army, Europe

    "A MUST READ book for behavioral health professionals, as well as anyone who has, or might have, a partner who is suffering with PTSD. This very well written book offers vital help and hope to deal with PTSD in relationships—in a most realistic, practical, clear and immediately applicable manner.”

    • Gregory C. Meyer, DSW, Colonel, US Army Retired, former Social Work Consultant, HQ 7th Medical Command, US Army, Europe

    “Full of sound information as well as useful case studies and exercises, this book is going to be a welcome road map for the partner who wants to support a loved one with PTSD—a must read.”

    • Colonel Robert I. Miller, MD, Commander of Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland

    “My clients often say, "We've been through this. Things get better for a week or a month, but then we're right back to where we started." Many self-help books provide a feel good experience by giving a quick infusion of empathy. Yes, it's very important to feel that you are not alone. However, this book goes far beyond this, providing tools for lasting change.”

    • Carl G. Hindy, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Nashua, NH. Co-author of "If This Is Love, Why Do I Feel So Insecure? For more information, visit www.hindyassociates.com

    “Dr. Diane England has written a comprehensive book that will answer all of the questions that arise when in a relationship with someone affected by PTSD.”

    • David Riklan, Founder of SelfGrowth.com, the # 1 Self Improvement Website on the Internet

    “The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Relationship should be required reading for everyone who knows someone affected by PTSD. It is a treasure chest of tools that can be used for life to help oneself, their partner and their children understand and deal with the devastating consequences of PTSD.”

    • Richard Miller, PhD, clinical psychologist and developer of Integrative Restoration (iRest), a program designed to help people develop resiliency to, as well as heal through, PTSD and its related symptoms—currently being used in VA facilities, hospitals, homeless shelters, prison and clinical settings

    “The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Relationship is destined to provide extraordinary service to couples who have suffered in silence from this devastating disorder. Now, with Dr. Diane England’s help, couples can fully understand the nature of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, how it affects their relationship, and what to do about it. Relationships are challenging anyway, and these relationships are even more so. Fortunately, this book shows that you don't have to personalize what is happening but instead, can step back and take action to improve your relationship and life together. Therefore, if you love someone with PTSD, get this book and begin following its advice today! If you treat people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, I recommend this book as part of their treatment plan.”

    • Nina Atwood, M.Ed., LPC, author of four self-help books, including "Soul Talk: Powerful Positive Communication for a Loving Partnership,” and her latest, “Temptations of the Single Girl: Ten Dating Traps You Must Avoid”

    Dr. Diane England's self-help book, "The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Relationship" is on the "Resources and Recommended Readings" list for the Program for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Studies at Cornell University's Weil Cornell Medical College. "The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Relationship" is also listed in the National Center for PTSD's online datbase of PTSD literature.

    • Author's Bio: 

    This book review is part of a series that covers the topic of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The Official Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is Dr. Diane England. This New Jersey native, now a resident of New Hampshire, had gained, while working for the military, the knowledge and comfort level needed to discuss two issues often confronted by couples impacted by PTSD--domestic violence and suicide risk. As an adjunct faculty member at the University of Texas at Arlington, Dr. Diane England had taught anger management courses for couples--assisted by graduate students she supervised. Prior to that, she had developed training modules, manuals, and conferences for the national center for the second largest voluntary health organization. She had managed patient services and professional education at the state level in Oregon for what was the largest voluntary health organization. Furthermore, she had begun her professional career with the Cooperative EXtension System, serving first as an Extension Agent and later, as the first Child Dvelopment and Family Relations Specialist at the University of Idaho Extension Service. This had given Diane England, Ph.D. the opportunity to educate adults on how to create healthier families and better lives--within this organization in which the federal, state, and local governments all cooperated.

    Additional Resources on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can be found at:

    Website Directory for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    Articles on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    Products for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    Discussion Board
    Dr. Diane England, The Official Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder