Getting Through the Day: Strategies for Adults Hurt as Children

The title is an eyecatcher, but the book is so much more than just techniques for getting survivors "through the day." I have found more validation, encouragement, answers and empowering solutions in this book than in most self help books combined. And I've read A LOT of self help books!The book's target readers are dissociators and multiples (MPD / DID). The focus is on dealing with emotions and events from childhood that have been dissociated, or set aside from consciousness. Often times, life for a dissociator goes just fine, for decades, but then you hit a brick wall, and all of your life "tricks" stop working. Bad stuff starts to come up from the past, in the forms of triggers, flashbacks, memories, etc. Your life can be turned upside down, especially if you realize that you employed personalities in order to get you through life. But Napier encourages the survivor of childhood abuse to take it at our own pace. Life isn't all good, or all bad, and while you're finally handling all of your dark, depressing issues, you can still lead a decent, middle-ground life, which accepts good times when they come.There are exercies, which you can do or not; the author encourages readers to choose for themselves, especially since it can be frightening for dissociators to use meditative techniques to further explore feelings.There are end-of-chapter/paragraph discussions for multiples ("Special Issues for Multiples"), but in my opinion, this is a book which all dissociators should read cover to cover. If something does not apply to you at all, or you want to skip the exercises, then do so, HOWEVER...the book is heavy with gems, and if you skip too much of it, you risk the chance of missing out on some lightbulb moments. I had MANY while reading the book.Just so you can get a better idea of what's in here, the following topics are discussed, some at length, some in brief : shadow side, mind-body, projection, barriers, despair, shame, guilt, suicidal thoughts and feelings, splitting, and creating bridges for feelings to come through.I found this book at a library, and knew it would be very useful for me, so I bought a used copy online. I cannot recommend it enough. No book has ever before supported me in such a way! I feel stronger for having read it, and more prepared to handle what comes my way.A personal aside: Sometimes healing comes backwards. You may be currently dealing with traumas that may not have happened in childhood, such as rape or domestic abuse as an adult. This book can still help you IF YOU DISSOCIATED.

This book is heavy with help for people with multiply personalities and/or dissociation, neither of which I have, so it wasn't helpful for me.

It's a long book with so much advice it's hard to implement.

I purchased this book at the request of my therapist and within a few chapters I learned techniques that immediately starting helping me understand my selves better. But also discovered this book could help my son also so I purchased another one for him. He does not suffer from multi personalities but can learn a lot about himself and why he reacts the way he does and a way to find out why. Plus a better understanding about his mom too :) This book can help even one who did not suffer from childhood abuse, as in my case young adult trauma, abuse and rapes. The results of missing time, splitting off of my personalities is all the same and the road to recovery also. Thank you for researching and writing this book. I am now understanding myself like I never have and this is good. I am on the road to wholeness with this book and my therapist as guides.

I am very glad that I came across this book, I had a troublesome childhood where I was neglected more than abused and it has helped me get past some things so that I can lead a more normal, happier life. The book has brought things to light that needed to be addressed so that I could recover and move forward in a more positive way. I have learned how to work on emotional recovery without constantly pushing myself (and thereby wearing myself out) or having negative self-talk get me down.I have worked twelve step programs, had counseling a number of times and need meds for chronic clinical depression but this book is among my favorite five books on mental health issues. I have given it to two special people I know who needed help like me; it helps me understand them better too. The book is written in a deeply caring and non judgmental way. There are some great suggestions to make life a little easier when things get tough. Thanks Nancy Napier!

I found this book to very helpful in many different ways. It helps those who have panic attacks and need help dealing with them, those with multiple personalities, and those who just need help getting through the day. I was little nervous about purchasing this book because many people had stated it talked about multiple personalities (I tend to self diagnosis myself with no real evidence), lol. Although, this book does talk about multiple personalities, after the second chapter it just has small sections about multiple personalities which you can skip over if you don't want to learn about multiple personalities. I can definitely say this book has really helped me overcome my issues and I am happy I had the opportunity to find this book and learn about myself on a much deeper level. I would recommend this book to anyone who needs help but don't feel comfortable going to a therapist or psychologist.

I never realized that when I was tortured by other kids how much of an impact that would make on me until I read this book. I was abused at home, alcoholic parent, and tortured at school. I went through torture everyday with those kids juse because I was blonde, quiet, and to myself. This book made me look back and then see who I am today. I am trying to boost my self esteem but those "bullies" really abused me to a point. This book is for any adult who has been victimized by adults, children, or anyone as a child. Sooner or later, it will go back to those bullies. We are stronger than they are and it can make us better people. We've always been better than them because we know what it is like to be hurt.

This work is a bit outdated but still remains useful tools. Just breeze by language/ scientific differences and get to the relevant parts. Tools excellent if challengingStore provide fast results

Wow. Changed my outlook on life? Bold statement, i know. But i truly mean it. I've read the first three chapters or so, in several sittings, and each time i have to stop and sit with what i just read. Super impactful, accurate, and non judgemental. I find a LOT of literature (in any form, social media posts' captions, tumblr poetry, magazine columns, and even professionally published books by people in the mental health field) seems to find a way to victim blame from beyond the page. This book does NOT do that, it teaches gentle accountability, reliable resources, and realism in a refreshing way. Not once have i come across a resource quite as genuine as this one, and i've been searching for years. This book brings me peace in a way nothing else has. I feel so heard which may sound silly, being a book and all, but i really do. The subject matter is SO important, all the advice i have been given through the years has always focused on weeks/months/years from now. But the next 5 minutes? On my own. And we don't live in future tense, so i've done nothing but struggle to get a grasp. This book has flipped that right over, and i've been managing so much better since owning it. Thank you.

This book is a-maz-ing. I have a condition called Functional Weakness. It has been a complete nightmare/farse getting treatment for it in the UK, with little or no training being given for professionals working within the NHS, which is awful. Dissocation is only one of the many symptoms of functional weakness. This book is the most help I have recieved, it gives you understanding, hope and methods to change your life for the better. Nancy writes in a very empowering way with great insight into dealing with traumatised lifes. She recommends using the book alongside treatment but personally I'm a 1/4 of the way through + 'so far' managing to make progress independantly but have had psychological + counselling support previously. Its not always easy but as Nancy encourages early on you must read at a pace suitable to you. This book is brilliant, I'm greatful that amazon stocked it as wouldn't have come accross it otherwise and would of remained with NO CURRENT TREATMENT for a very disabling condition.

This is a must have book for everyone.. simple.. direct..I lent my book so often that I bought another one I highly recommend this book cuts through heavy reading very accessable book to tool oneself understand others journeys

For anyone who dissociates, who have voices in their heads, who have been abused or abandoned (not necessarily physically). This is a great book. Helped me tremendously.

Enlightening and easy helpful reading