What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma

A striking memoir by Jeanette McCurdy, bestselling author of I'm Glad My Mom Died, explores the effects of complex trauma and how to reclaim agency from it. Stephanie Foo was diagnosed with complex PTSD after years of questioning what was wrong with herself. She interviews scientists and psychologists and tries innovative therapies to heal herself and map her experiences onto the literature about C-PTSD. She discovers that you don't move on from trauma, but you can learn to move with it.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 02 March 2023
Publisher: Atlantic Books

A captivating memoir that is a must-read for anyone seeking healing from complex trauma, Jeanette McCurdy's I'm Glad My Mom Died delves into the depths of her soul, revealing the profound impact of generations of trauma, death, birth, migration, and history on her being. Despite her outward success as an award-winning radio producer at This American Life and a loving relationship with her boyfriend, Stephanie Foo's inner world was plagued by panic attacks and deep sobs every morning. After years of self-doubt, she was finally diagnosed with complex PTSD, a condition that arises when trauma persists over an extended period of time.

Both of Foo's parents abandoned her when she was a teenager, leaving her to endure years of physical and verbal abuse and neglect. She believed that she had moved on from her past, but her diagnosis shed light on how her past continued to threaten her well-being, relationships, and career. Limited resources were available to assist her in her healing journey, so Foo embarked on a mission to heal herself and document her experiences in the limited literature on C-PTSD.

In this deeply personal and meticulously researched account, Foo conducts interviews with scientists and psychologists, exploring various innovative therapies. She returns to her hometown in California to investigate the effects of immigrant trauma on the community and uncovers family secrets in Malaysia, shedding light on how trauma can be inherited across generations. Through her journey, Foo discovers that moving on from trauma is not possible, but she can learn to move with it, finding strength, enlightenment, and hope along the way.

What My Bones Know is a courageous narrative that confronts the powerful hold of the past on the present. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a beacon of hope for those who are navigating the complexities of trauma. Jeanette McCurdy's raw and honest portrayal of her journey is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability to heal and transform. This memoir is a must-read for anyone seeking solace, understanding, and the courage to move forward in the face of adversity.

Weight: 316g
Dimension: 196 x 130 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781911630968
Edition number: Main