After a desire to bulk up my TBR list with something of the more self-help variety, I was directed towards Reenactments: Break The Behavior Patterns that Keep You Stuck in Trauma, Stress, and Everyday Life by clinical psychologists, Dr. Tony Iezzi and Dr. Melanie Duckworth. Our behavior is linked to both nature and nurture, which ultimately dictates our reaction to certain triggers(nature) from trauma. These events, based on triggers, are called reenactments. Though this is not an entirely new concept, what the authors set out to do in this book is novel and worth reading. Through the use and support of psychology, neuroscience, anecdotes, and good ol’ clear flow charts and lists, the reader is given the why, how, and what to do next when trying to break these unhealthy habits. These solutions offer a practical takeaway that readers can apply to develop healthy habits, rather than just a “try harder” mantra.  

Though there is a substantial amount of scientific and psychological terms and concepts to explain and substantiate the authors’ ideas, the book is not weighed down by jargon or theories stripped from a 4th year medical school textbook. The chapters begin with an anecdote, where you may not personally relate to each person being described, but there are similarities that you can sympathize with or empathize with. The anecdotes detail (not at nauseum) the context around a person’s reenactment and some of the pathways that person should take to free themselves from repetitive harmful behaviors, whether that is physical violence, disordered eating, or others. Science explains the biological causes and effects of these triggers, and the psychological framework can be found in the tangible ways one can set a different path for themselves. The authors write that although hope is an asset in one’s path to change, it’s simply not enough. One needs to put the work in, but this isn’t just a useless platitude. The readers are given a coherent list of steps on how to identify, address, and execute a plan that will improve their mental health.