Please, be aware that most books addressing abuse will have portions that describe their abuse in graphic detail.
Multiple Personality Disorder from the Inside Out, Barry M. Cohen; Esther Giller; Lynn W. (Editor), The Sidran Press, Lutherville, MD, 1991. ISBN: 0-9629164-0-4
If I read only this book, it would give me more information than all the other books combined. I felt this book, written by multiples for multiples and their families, was key to my understanding how many challenges I face everyday, and a variety of suggestions to make life better.
Door of Hope; Recognizing and Resolving the Pains of Your Past, Jan Frank, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN, 1995. ISBN: 0-7852-7966-0
First book that started to open the door for me to realize I could heal.
Other abuse victims:
Dave Pelzer, A Child Called It; One Child's Courage to Survive, Health Communications, Inc. Deerfield Beach, FL,1995. ISBN: 1-55874-366-9
One in a series of his books about surviving an abusive childhood, I was given this book to help find out what I would react to, since I had no memories of my own.
Dave Pelzer, Help Yourself; Finding Hope, Courage, and Happiness, Plume, Penguin Group, New York, NY, 2000. ISBN: 0-452-28276-4
Dave's forth book has ideas on how to have a better life, from lessons he learned the hard way. I underlined many of his suggestions.
Richard Pelzer, A Brother's Journey; Surviving a Childhood of Abuse, Warner Books, New York, NY, 2005. ISBN: 0-446-53368-8
Corrie Ten Boom, The Hiding Place, Bantam Books, New York, NY, 1971. ISBN: 0-553-25669-6
Her story of surviving the concentration camps has inspired me for years. I still often think of her sister Betsie reminding her to thank God for the fleas in their prayers.
Corrie Ten Boom, Tramp for the Lord, Jove Books, Penguin Putman Inc., New York, NY, 1974. ISBN: 0-515-08993-1
Corrie's life after the concentration camp sharing her love of the gospel of Christ and her experiences; I enjoyed learning that life can be full and productive after abuse.
Victor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, Pocket Books, New York, NY, 1985. ISBN: 0-671-02337-3
Other Multiples:
Sybil, by Flora Schreiber, Warner Books, New York, NY, 1973. ISBN: 0-446-35940-8
I saw the movie first and this is when I realized that what I did had a name, multiple personality disorder, now called Dissociative Identity Disorder. After more research since this book, psychiatrist recognized that people functioned on a sliding spectrum, and to reflect that change in concept, changed the name to post traumatic stress disorder with dissociation at a severe level or sometimes dissociative identity disorder.
The troops for Truddi Chase, When Rabbit Howls, Jove Books, Penguin Putman Inc., New York, NY, 1987. ISBN: 0-515-10329-2
One of the toughest books I read, but one I connected more with Truddi and her troops than I did with Sybil. Main difference between us was that Truddi's troops decided not to integrate. I decided early on that I wanted to integrate and become a whole person again.
Robert Oxnam, A Fractured Mind; My Life with Multiple Personality Disorder, Hyperion, New York, NY, 2005. ISBN: 1-4013-0868-6
Child of a Multiple:
Tiffany Fletcher, Mother Had a Secret, Covenant Communications, Inc., 2010 ISBN-13: 978-1-60861-058-7 This book is written from the perspective of a girl being raised by a mother with multiple personalities. The challenges and consequences she faced from this situation. Interesting insight to the difficulties of living with someone with DID. If you have DID you may find reading the book distressing. I know I did.
Christ:
The Bible
Lisa Harper, Untamed, Waterbrook Press ISBN 978-1-4000-7480-8
ISBN 978-0-307-45907-7 (electronic), I enjoyed reading Lisa's perspective of Jesus Christ. She shared all the ways that Christ changed the way people think about life, love, and our purpose on Earth.
PTSD:
Cheryl A. Roberts, Coping with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A guide for families ISBN: 978-0-7864-4974-3 http://mcfarlandbooks.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-4974-3
I feel this is a good resource for information on PTSD. Main audience would be for those with a military background. All are acknowledged but there were sections specifically for military personal.
Books on Boundaries:
Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend
http://store.cloudtownsend.com/boundaries-softcover-book.html
http://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-When-Take-Control-Your/dp/0310247454
This book is based on the Bible with many scripture references. I prefer this approach. It also started with the very basics such as the first boundary being our skin.
Boundaries and Relationships: Knowing, Protecting and Enjoying the Self by Charles Whitfield
http://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-Relationships-Knowing-Protecting-Enjoying/dp/155874259X/
MyCounselor recommended this book and I found it gave me a broader understanding of boundaries.
