The uncharted self: Identity, war and the limits of psychology

Many people live with trauma. It is common to relive traumatic experiences in vivid detail and emotions, as if they were unfolding in the present rather than many years ago. In fact, many successful individuals have endured a painful childhood, a distant parent, a manipulative partner, sexual assault, the loss of a loved one, physical abuse, a strict society, or the deep ache of loneliness and isolation. Millions develop mental disorders, while others normalise harmful behaviours and irrational beliefs that keep them trapped in suffering. But why do the majority emerge stronger? The Uncharted Self challenges what we think we know about the self and trauma. It questions why some individuals maintain their psychological well-being despite extreme suffering, while others struggle with depression, PTSD, addiction or destructive coping mechanisms. It highlights the central role self and identity plays in shaping our psyche. It exposes the limitations of psychology - particularly its reliance on self-reported data - in reaching a valid understanding of how people process and survive trauma. Psychologists and psychiatrists often focus on trauma’s pathological effects, such as PTSD, depression, and lifelong emotional distress. Research shows that many people internalise trauma, leading to deep-seated psychological patterns that shape their identity. But the truth is that most people who endure severe trauma do not develop mental disorders. Traumatic experiences do not automatically cause psychological collapse. If trauma alone does not determine mental health, then what does? This Book Explores: What happens to the mind during war, violence, or personal loss? Why do some people survive extreme trauma without breaking? Is there something worse than PTSD and depression? Why do some societies forgive and move on while others remain trapped in hatred? Can a society itself be the cause of an individual’s suffering? Why has psychology failed to provide real solutions for trauma? When Societies Create Mental Disorders This book goes beyond personal trauma to examine how societies reinforce suffering and prevent healing. It focuses on conflicts in Lebanon, Iraq, and Gaza, where trauma is not just personal but collective. It deals with questions such as: Why do some nations rebuild while others stay locked in endless cycles of war? What prevents Jews and Arabs, or Sunnis and Shias, from achieving peace? Why has the Middle East been plagued by violence for centuries? Can social structures and cultural norms be more damaging than trauma itself? Rather than viewing trauma as an individual disorder, The Uncharted Self examines how cultures, political systems, and group identities shape the way people process suffering, justify violence, and define mental health. The Limits of Psychology Wars continue, societies remain divided, and mental illness is on the rise despite decades of psychological research. If psychology truly understood trauma, why do so many people remain trapped in suffering? Why do we still lack a comprehensive understanding of how trauma shapes human behaviour? This book argues that psychology has failed to address the deeper forces that shape human experience and identity. Therapy may heal individuals, but what if a person cannot fully recover because their entire society is broken? A Bold New Understanding of Trauma and Identity The Uncharted Self pushes readers to rethink trauma, resilience, hope, and the power of identity. Combining psychology, history, and discourse analysis, Dr Alali exposes why traditional theories fall short and why suffering is shaped not just by events but by how people interpret them and define themselves. This is not just a book about trauma. It is a challenge to rethink mental health, war, and what it truly means to survive.