One of my favorite books on trauma is Judith Herman's Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence--from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. If you are parenting an adopted child who has experienced any form of trauma, this book is a "must read" for you.

When I was healing from my own history of childhood trauma, I read numerous books to help me understand myself, particularly my issues with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This book was the most helpful in understanding why I acted and reacted the way that I did.

What really helped me was the author's explanation of all trauma rather than only examining trauma from child abuse. I was surprised to learn that soldiers with PTSD suffered from similar symptoms, not just the flashbacks but the emotions as well. I could not imagine why a soldier would feel shame and self-loathing, and I am sure a soldier would feel the same way about me. Getting a wider view of trauma and seeing PTSD as a reaction to trauma (rather than just child abuse) was very helpful for me.

The book talked about aftereffects I had experienced for which I had no label, such as the "dual reality" of being in the present while, at the same time, in the past through a flashback. If this book could help me to understand myself better, it will be even more helpful for a parent of a traumatized child who has not experienced trauma himself.