Cat's Books: Romance

A gathering of heroes from all romance genres who are dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and not just PTSD born of war.

The more we as a culture acknowledge the impact of trauma, the more healing and seeking of healing is possible.

I perfer romance novels who depict PTSD as realistically as possible but all awareness raising of this condition is good. 

PTSD in Historical Romance is particularly interesting as the condition had no name until World War 1 when it was often called Shell Shock.  Here is a great piece on the history of PTSD. Elizabeth Hoyt's The Legend of the Four Soldiers series does a simply magnificent job detailing the nuances of the condition in her four heroes as they recover from captivity and war.  

PTSD in Contemporary Romance is more common as the United States has spent the last 20 years embroiled in various combat missions and veterans are more likely to get the help they need than in other eras. Our romance novels tend to reflect current issues. J.M. Madden's Embattled series is the most recent powerful exploration of this issue of war born PTSD in Contemporary Romance.  Kristen Ashley does wonderful work looking at PTSD from prison in Lady Luck. 

Paranormals Romance tends to take trauma in stride as if there is little aftermath, however, we do see PTSD dealt with from time to time. My most beloved hero, Lock, from The Mane Squeeze has PTSD. I adore his stress soother of toe playing and rocking. What a great Bear Shifter! 

PTSD is not only soldier's disease. I will do a list from romantic heroines. most of whom did not serve in war, with PTSD as well.

JR Ward's Zadist is my favorite of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and there is no question that he suffers from PTSD brought on by his childhood. 

If you would like to learn more about PTSD, The National Insitute of Mental Health has a  very useful website. This page offers good information about PTSD that may arise from a single traumatic event or a war.

There has been a movement to have Complex PTSD recognized as a separate diagnosis as it requires different treatments in many cases. Complex PTSD aries from long term exposure to trauma.  The National Center for PTSD has an excellent webpage on Complex PTSD. 

I have noted some of the best depiction of heroes with PTSD above. I would love to know your recommendations. 

If you would like to vote for the best of the best in heroes with PTSD, go to the Goodreads list: Romances Novel Heroes with PTSD.