By: Bellomy Iliff, LPC
Title Of Material: Invisible Storm
Author/Creator: Jason Kander
Source: Audiobook from my local library
The author makes his struggle relatable even though few people have actually been in a private conversation with President Obama or any of the other experiences the author had. Jason and his wife discuss their experiences relating to his training, deployment, and homecoming. Jason’s atypical wart-time deployment caused him to minimize his trauma and self-diagnose as “not PTSD”. The book candidly discusses his symptoms and struggles without glorifying them and the resistance to admitting the presence of trauma is one I have seen many clients and loved ones experience.
I like that the book discusses PTSD in a way that is relatable without sharing so many details that the reader is also traumatized. I like that his wife shares her experiences for those who have been traumatized by their loved one’s PTSD reactions.
Because of the illustrious political career Jason had, some may find it a bit difficult to relate to him. The treatment he receives is still a standard in VA situations, but other modalities (EMDR, ART, etc) have shown greater efficacy with less re-traumatizing. So readers may not experience the same kind of therapy he mentions in his book.
I think this book is an excellent read for clinicians, clients, and family members of clients. Clinicians will benefit from the first-hand experience of living with PTSD symptoms and their impact on the sufferer. Clients will benefit from Jason’s journey to acknowledging his PTSD and could feel less alone when hearing his own denials. Loved ones of clients will be able to find comfort in the wife’s story and her struggles in how to live with a person who has PTSD.