"Sudden, unexpected death notification stresses everyone involved. Grave Words: Notifying Survivors about Sudden, Unexpected Deaths provides a way to ease the pain a little - for notifier and survivor alike. It explains, step by step, how to relate tragic news to survivors by providing true-life case studies, in-depth information, and protocols tailored to a variety of situations." "Protocols for death notification by physicians, nurses, emergency medical services personnel, chaplains, medical examiners or coroners, and police officers are detailed in the book. Also included are bereavement resources and support groups, a death-notification course outline, police and military in-line-of-duty notification protocols, and airline disaster protocols."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

First published in 1997. Although the fields of thanatology and traumatology have received robust attention during their parallel development, little effort has been made to address their overlapping territory. This volume is the first attempt to do so. Specifically, the purpose of this book is fourfold. First is to provide a theoretical bridge between the two fields by providing conceptual terminology, such as defining normal versus dysfunctional bereavement and the meaning and range of death-related PTSD. The second confirms and illustrates the identical patterns of reactions between those who survive the death of a loved one and those who survive other traumatic events. Next the book applies the most useful theoretical models to the bereavement experience, and in turn acknowledges the utility of generalizing bereavement models to other traumatic experiences; in doing so, the two fields can enrich each other. Similarly, the volume's final purpose is to identify and apply the most useful and effective approaches in traumatology literature to the study, diagnosis and treatment of traumatic stressors other than death.

Trauma does not just happen to a few unlucky people; it is the bedrock of our psychology. Death and illness touch us all, but even the everyday sufferings of loneliness and fear are traumatic. In The Trauma of Everyday Life renowned psychiatrist and author of Thoughts Without a Thinker Mark Epstein uncovers the transformational potential of trauma, revealing how it can be used for the mind's own development. Epstein finds throughout that trauma, if it doesn't destroy us, wakes us up to both our minds' own capacity and to the suffering of others. It makes us more human, caring and wise. It can be our greatest teacher, our freedom itself, and it is available to all of us. Western psychology teaches that if we understand the cause of trauma, we might move past it while many drawn to Eastern practices see meditation as a means of rising above, or distancing themselves from, their most difficult emotions. Both, Epstein argues, fail to recognize that trauma is an indivisible part of life and can be used as a tool for growth and an ever deeper understanding of change. When we regard trauma with this perspective, understanding that suffering is universal and without logic, our pain connects us to the world on a more fundamental level. Guided by the Buddha's life as a profound example of the power of trauma, Epstein's also closely examines his own experience and that of his psychiatric patients to help us all understand that the way out of pain is through it.

The Shame of Death presents a collection of unique and insightful essays sharing the common theme that shame is the central psychological and moral force in understanding death and mourning.

“Dr. Botkin has hit upon a fascinating and powerful new tool that may not only help clients cope with their losses, but also breaks new ground in understanding life and death.” —Bruce Greyson, MD, bestselling author of After “A must read for all serious students of death and dying.”—Raymond Moody, MD, PhD Induced After Death Communication (IADC) is a therapy for grief and trauma that has helped thousands of people come to terms with their loss by allowing them the experience of private communication with their departed loved ones. This is the definitive book on the subject. Botkin, a clinical psychologist, created the therapy while counseling Vietnam veterans in his work at a Chicago area VA hospital. Botkin recounts his initial—accidental—discovery of IADC during therapy sessions with Sam, a Vietnam vet haunted by the memory of a Vietnamese girl he couldn't save. During the session, quite unexpectedly, Sam saw a vision of the girl's spirit, who told him everything was okay; she was at peace now. This single moment surpassed months--years--of therapy, and allowed Sam to reconnect with his family. Since that 1995 discovery, Botkin has used IADC to successfully treat countless patients—the book includes dozens of case examples—and has taught the procedure to therapists around the country. This is the inside story of a revolutionary therapy that will profoundly affect how grief and trauma are understood and treated.