Posttraumatic Joy presents the major themes and ideas of Nietzsche’s corpus from a continental and psychoanalytic perspective with a particular bent toward how they might illuminate ways of coping with and living beyond trauma and suffering. Through a series of transcribed and edited lectures—originally delivered as a part of the "Nietzsche for Clinicians" workshop run through the Center for Psychological Humanities and Ethics at Boston College—this work traces the genesis of such fundamental psychoanalytic concepts as repression, the death drive, and the Oedipus complex to the works of one of philosophy’s most audacious and original thinkers. Reading Nietzsche not as a philosopher in the traditional sense, but as a proto-psychoanalyst, a precursor to Freud and Lacan, this work explores his understanding of the origins of morality, the value of sublimation, the movement from mourning to melancholia—or, in Nietzsche’s terms, from trauma to tragedy—and the possibility of a life lived in affirmation and self-overcoming. This interdisciplinary book will be of interest to scholars and practitioners whose work intersects with continental philosophy and theoretical and philosophical psychology. This includes any psychotherapist, social worker, psychoanalyst, or pastoral counselor with an interest in understanding the deeply psychological philosophy of one of history’s greatest thinkers.

From acclaimed author and researcher Dr. Joy DeGruy comes this fascinating book that explores the psychological and emotional impact on African Americans after enduring the horrific Middle Passage, over 300 years of slavery, followed by continued discrimination. From the beginning of American chattel slavery in the 1500’s, until the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865, Africans were hunted like animals, captured, sold, tortured, and raped. They experienced the worst kind of physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual abuse. Given such history, Dr. Joy DeGruy asked the question, “Isn’t it likely those enslaved were severely traumatized? Furthermore, did the trauma and the effects of such horrific abuse end with the abolition of slavery?” Emancipation was followed by another hundred years of institutionalized subjugation through the enactment of Black Codes and Jim Crow laws, peonage and convict leasing, and domestic terrorism and lynching. Today the violations continue, and when combined with the crimes of the past, they result in further unmeasured injury. What do repeated traumas visited upon generation after generation of a people produce? What are the impacts of the ordeals associated with chattel slavery, and with the institutions that followed, on African Americans today? Dr. DeGruy answers these questions and more as she encourages African Americans to view their attitudes, assumptions, and emotions through the lens of history. By doing so, she argues they will gain a greater understanding of the impact centuries of slavery and oppression has had on African Americans. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is an important read for all Americans, as the institution of slavery has had an impact on every race and culture. “A masterwork. [DeGruy’s] deep understanding, critical analysis, and determination to illuminate core truths are essential to addressing the long-lived devastation of slavery. Her book is the balm we need to heal ourselves and our relationships. It is a gift of wholeness.”—Susan Taylor, former Editorial Director of Essence magazine

Hosting Earth is a timely and much-needed volume in the emerging literature of environmental philosophy, drawing upon art, science, and politics to explore alternatives to the traditional domination of nature by humans. Featuring a dialogue with Mary Robinson (former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and former President of Ireland), which addresses the current climate emergency, this book engages the question of ecological hospitality: what does it mean to be guests of the earth as well as hosts? It includes chapters by cutting-edge scholars in the philosophy of nature, as well as artists, scientists, psychologists, and theologians. The contributors discuss proposals for a new "Poetics of the Earth," opening horizons beyond our perilous Anthropocene to a new Symbiocene of mutual collaboration between human and non-human species. Focusing on the central role that the human psyche plays in answering our current ecological emergency, Hosting Earth is for anybody invested in the future of our planet and how psychological, psychoanalytic, and philosophical thought can reorient the current conversation about ecology.

Person-centered instead of theory-centered, this resource provides a basic context for understanding how post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects people and those around them. Compassionate, firsthand knowledge of the different ways in which PTSD manifests itself are described throughout the 12 case studies examined in this guide. Bringing this mental health issue to light for sufferers, families, and friends, these stories illuminate the confusion that often surrounds the behaviors and reactions associated with PTSD and can increase understanding, patience, and awareness. A piece of reflective foil covers the middle of the front cover of this book, so that readers view themselves when looking upon it.

Emotion in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder provides an up-to-date review of the empirical research on the relevance of emotions, such as fear, anxiety, shame, guilt, and disgust to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also covers emerging research on the psychophysiology and neurobiological underpinnings of emotion in PTSD, as well as the role of emotion in the behavioral, cognitive, and affective difficulties experienced by individuals with PTSD. It concludes with a review of evidence-based treatment approaches for PTSD and their ability to mitigate emotion dysfunction in PTSD, including prolonged exposure, cognitive processing therapy, and acceptance-based behavioral therapy. - Identifies how emotions are central to understanding PTSD. - Explore the neurobiology of emotion in PTSD. - Discusses emotion-related difficulties in relation to PTSD, such as impulsivity and emotion dysregulation. - Provides a review of evidence-based PTSD treatments that focus on emotion.

Filling a gap that exists in most traumatology literature, The Posttraumatic Self provides an optimistic analysis of the aftermath of a traumatic event. This work appreciates the potentially positive effects of trauma and links those effects to the discovery of one's identity, character, and purpose. Wilson and his distinguished contributors explore the nature and dynamics of the posttraumatic self, emphasising human resilience and prompting continued optimal functioning. While taking into consideration pathological consquences such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the authors study the impacts a traumatic event can have on one's inner self, and they help the victims transform such an event into healthy self-transcendent lifecycles. The Posttraumatic Self will help victims and healers transform the way they deal with the complexities of trauma by making important connections that will allow for healing and growth.

International conference held at Klopeiner See, S'udk'arnten, Austria, Oct. 19-21, 2009.