Thoughts on the Book Trauma by Professor Gordon Turnbull – How Trauma Affects our Minds

A look at this book on PTSD. I have now read the above book by Professor Gordon Turnbull a RAF psychiatrist, now a World authority on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who assisted the RAF Mountain Rescue Teams after the Lockerbie disaster in December 1988. I must admit  I was pretty shocked when I read in a paper this book had been published. I was mentioned right at the beginning of the book and the paper as I had requested assistance for the RAF Teams after Lockerbie. The RAF and civilian ,mountain Rescue Teams where heavily involved in Lockerbie and though my experience was pretty varied at this time after 20 years of Mountain Rescue, this was a very different and traumatic experience. Gordon writes the story pretty well, but I feel if he had spoken to those involved a bit more he may have got a better overall view of how it effected many of the people involved to this day. At the time I was criticized by some senior team members, as they felt  help was not needed.   Most who criticized were not there and this was a unique event, which was way out of  anything I had experienced. Gordon gives credit the RAF MR for the way they dealt with the aftermath but he gives the St Athanteam a hard time on how they dealt with his team during the debriefing after Lockerbie. I feel if he had spoken to those involved he may have understood why a bit better. You must remember they were there at Lockerbie and saw things that one will never forget.  In all I am glad that the book has been written and would advise those involved in Rescue to have a read. A few of my team, still struggle with the aftermath of Lockerbie including myself and I am glad that PTSD is now recognised and hope this helps the civilian teams and Dog handlers, some who still suffer badly from the effects of Lockerbie.  I must start writing again and have my say! That illustrious news sheet the RAF News is publishing an interview by myself on this book, it should be out this week.I must get that book written