Interview and Book Giveaway with Leslie Raddatz

Why did you choose to write Surviving the Flood?

Because my first session of (EMDR) Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing and Brain-spotting caused flooding - 32 years of repressed memories, emotions and body memories started to flow through my body too rapidly.  It only took a few days for my memories to start coming back but instead of them coming one by one they all came at once putting me in to crisis mode and I had to admit myself into the hospital because it was too overwhelming. 

This is very rare that this happens this way but my body just couldn’t repress it any longer.

As you wrote this book what did you learn that really touched your heart?

That my power woman is my three year old ego-state because she had a big heart and even though she was so severely abused and neglected all her life she never lost her identity and was able to forgive people.  She can still love people and as an adult I am still an outgoing happy person.

What are you writing now?

 I am writing a book that goes into how to stop repeating destructive patterns that all of us with abuse feel compelled to repeat even though we know it isn’t good for us.  For me it is drinking 6-10 sodas a day and overeating to stay safe in my mind.  If I am obese then no one will notice me or hurt me.

What do you hope that your readers will take away from your book?

It is okay to be on medication to help control their Mental illness and they are strong for getting help and reliving their traumas so healing can occur.

How does faith play into your writing?

The only way I could have survived my childhood, adolescent and adulthood was that God was watching over me.  In my adult years, I thought for a long time I was being punished by God for living my teenage life the way I did.  Now, I know it was so I can help others who are suffering like I was to lead them to their healing journey and to get them to reach out for help without fear of the unknown.

What is your favorite book and why?

The Courage to Heal A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis. Because it was the first book I read on my healing journey and it told me why certain things were happening to me.  I felt normal for once because I could identify with what they said about sexual trauma.

What are your hobbies other than writing?

I like to knit and cross stitch but haven’t done either one for a very long time.  My books are going to take up a lot of my time for years to come.

Why did you write your book?

I wrote the book because I felt after learning everything I have learned so far that if I had a book like mine to outline what my traumas were and then showed me the way  to heal I would have received help a lot sooner.

Also to find those who think they are alone and confirm that they are not alone.

More importantly find the ones who aren’t getting help because they think they are going crazy like I thought.  I want them to read my book and see themselves in me and then understand they are not crazy and hopefully they will reach out for help. 

Also for those who  have loved ones that want to understand their loved ones with mental illness such as PTSD, Conversion, or Somatization even others such as bi-polar, schizophrenia, etc.

I feel that veterans can learn from my book because my dad didn’t get help right away and this affected his parenting and was part of the neglect and discipline turned into abuse when his anger got out of control from his PTSD.

Do you have a blog or website?

Blog: www.silencednolonger.blogspot.com Website: www.silencednolonger.com