traumatic stress as a disorder. She says, “It’s not a disordered reaction
to trauma—it’s a common and natural one.” Do you agree? Does that
change the way in which you view people suffering from PTSD?
- What do you make of the casual way in which Béla would oen
reference the war and his wife’s standing as a survivor? Why do you
think he is able to be more cavalier about their past? - Discuss the concept of “learned helplessness,” which Dr. Eger
describes on page 170. Where do you see learned helplessness in the
book and in the world around you? - Dr. Eger describes her education and training as a psychologist and
her work with patients. How does her education and work in healing
others help her with her own steps to healing? - In the second half of the book, Dr. Eger offers anecdotes from
different patients with whom she has worked. Discuss the various
patients’ stories—the young girl struggling with anorexia, the man
struggling with severe rage aer his wife cheats on him, the couple
seeking therapy to deal with a drinking problem, the woman
traumatized by rape—and the lessons each has to offer. - e Choice is full of powerful and profound moments of healing,
for example when Dr. Eger stands outside Hitler’s home and yells that
she has chosen to forgive him, or when she chooses to forgive herself
for inadvertently sending her mother to the gas chambers by
identifying her as “mother,” not “sister.” ese choices have enabled
her to move forward and help others. Which moments resonated most
with you?