‘Sometimes highly functional people have lives and minds that are falling apart. You would never know because they would never tell you ... until they write a book about it.’

Where Do You Go When You Need To Hide Away? is the story of Joe Black and his struggles with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Joe’s childhood experiences of abuse and strained family relationships left him with shame and unresolved mental health issues. As he ventured on his careers and adult relationships, his challenging childhood still shaped his thoughts and behaviours. Only in his forties and fifties during a series of mental breakdowns did Joe finally acknowledge his past traumas and start to confront his lifelong battles with his identity and poor mental health. After years of therapy, Joe describes what he has learned about himself through psychology and how he now tries to manage his mental health and finally free himself from his need to hide away.

Joe Black continues to write and record music; he remains involved in many academic pursuits. His lifelong struggle with his mental health continues, as does his search for creative outlets.

Customer Reviews

5.0

5 reviews

Mary Kate

This is such an extraordinary read. It’s not often you find a book that the author makes you feel that you’re right there with them, but this is one of them. I devoured it in a number of days. Joe’s story is extraordinary and it is so well written. To have shared his life’s unimaginable challenges through such a reflective and honest lens is a privilege to read. I highly recommend this to anyone who is struggling with mental health or just needs to hear a voice of someone who has ‘been there’ and ‘done/doing the work’. Thank you Joe.
Robert Edward

Joe Black’s Where Do You Go When You Need to Hide Away? is a raw and reflective memoir that captures the complexity of healing. With unflinching honesty, he shares his journey through trauma, therapy, and personal growth. The narrative is both sobering and uplifting, offering insight into the emotional toll of survival and the strength it takes to reclaim one’s story. It’s a compelling read for anyone interested in the human capacity to endure and transform.
LVS

The book follows Black’s journey as he unpacks the long-term effects of Complex PTSD and begins to heal in his forties. It’s not a neat or easy story and that’s exactly what makes it powerful. His reflections are thoughtful, and his voice is both vulnerable and strong. This is not just a story about trauma; it’s about what it takes to face it. A moving, important read for those interested in mental health and the resilience of the human spirit.
Mike

Was doing some research on PTSD and came across this on a web search. This is a sometimes daunting, sometimes humorous portrayal of the devastating impact of PTSD. Joe describes his journey from traumatic events during childhood, and how these have affected his journey through life. The real value of this book was the comfort knowing that there are others who suffer from this illness - it makes me feel a bit more normal! This was a compelling read as I followed Joe's ups and downs and learned how he tries to deal with the challenges of everyday life when your brain keeps telling you should just run and hide away. Highly recommended to anyone who wishes to know more about complex mental illness, and how people try to deal with it.
Kelvin

This book is a raw and powerful journey through trauma, identity, and healing. Centered around his lifelong struggle with Complex PTSD from an abusive childhood, the book explores how buried pain shaped his relationships, career, and sense of self. Written with honesty and insight, Black details his eventual breakdowns in midlife and the slow, often painful process of recovery through therapy and reflection. His background as a musician and academic adds depth, showing how creativity helped him cope and reconnect with himself. This is a courageous and heartfelt read for anyone interested in mental health, personal growth, or the long road to healing.