Page 27 - Yes, YOU Can

erodes faith in everything, including God. People

suffering from LAS lose the ability to believe in
anything and in any possible meaningful life.

While going through court abuse, I started to

develop severe physical symptoms. I was told by
several colleagues, medical doctors, that I needed
to find a psychologist or a psychiatrist familiar with
torture, as I was “beyond their expertise.” It took

me 18 months of research to find such an expert.

Fortunately, I was able to have a lengthy
conversation with Dr. Joyce Braak, a psychiatrist

who spent months working in refugee camps in
Afghanistan.

She recommended I read a book (Trauma and

Recovery by Judith Lewis Herman, MD) and watch
a movie (High Crimes) to better understand what I
was facing.

Nothing, other than surviving, could be done for

me at that stage of the game, as I was in the middle
of it. I would be able to find relief once it was over,

and only after being in a safe place.

I then met Dr. Linda Barnhard, a wonderful
psychologist, expert in Post Traumatic Stress,
familiar with LAS, who practices in Sacramento, CA.

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