On Eggshells and Through Minefields
Living with the psychological effects of trauma
A partner’s perspective
MOIRA HEALY & SUE STOECKEL
with Tony McHugh
The soldier returning from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, the survivor of the Black Saturday bushfires, the digger haunted by the nightmare of Vietnam, the young woman caught up in the hell of the Bali bombing – all people whose lives have been profoundly changed by trauma. But there are other victims as well. They are the partners and family, innocent bystanders to their loved one’s living hell. And it is these invisible victims that On Eggshells and Through Minefields seeks to help.
This watershed book, by experts in the field of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), explores the psychological impact upon intimate relationships, the title reflecting how partners and children often live their lives literally walking on eggshells, terrified one wrong step could cause their world to fracture and crumble.
This book helps to:
- Understand life from the partner’s perspective, sharing stories from those living with a sufferer of PTSD
- Understand the psychological impact of trauma on individuals and the community
- Understand and cope with the problems in relationships that may emerge following trauma.
It provides:
- An explanation of the diagnosis and symptoms of PTSD and other trauma related difficulties
- Insights from therapists’ understanding of the struggles experienced by those affected by trauma.
- Self-help strategies for change and a comprehensive list of resources.
On Eggshells and Through Minefields is an initiative of the Veterans’ Psychiatry Unit and the authors lead the partners groups as part of the PTSD programs at the Psychological Trauma Recovery Service at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital in Melbourne. They draw on their extensive experience and on the stories of the participants to explore what happens as a partner gets caught in the shock waves that continue long after the trauma has passed.
On Eggshells and Through Minefields is written from the partner’s point of view using personal stories to illustrate the often devastating impact of trauma upon the individual and their relationships. It takes the reader on an intimate journey through lives changed forever by trauma. The most complex and difficult change to understand is often the one we cannot see, the psychological impact upon the person, their partner and their family. This book provides information, self-help tips, helpful insights and above all offers hope for treatment, healing and recovery. For those who have experienced a trauma, their partners, families, friends and practitioners working in the field this book will be a vital resource.
The Authors
Moira Healy has been involved in treating partners of PTSD sufferers for many years. While working at the northern sexual assault unit she developed a therapy group for men whose partners had been abused as children. She then focused on developing and running the partners’ program in the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Program at Austin Health, Melbourne. She worked in the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Program at Austin Health for 13 years working with both people who were traumatised and their partners.
Moira now works in private practice.
Sue Stoeckel works in the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Program at Austin Health, Melbourne. Her clinical work includes assessing and treating veterans and their partners. Sue’s interest in women’s issues and couple relationships has led to her involvement in the partners’ groups.
Tony McHugh is the manager of the Psychological Trauma Recovery Service at Austin Health, Victoria. He has developed psychological treatment programs for severely traumatised military personnel and members of the public. He has been an advisor to the Australian Centre for Post-traumatic Mental Health and to the Transport Accident Commission of Victoria.