Licensed Counselor and Trauma Expert Unveils 'Post Traumatic Macho Disorder' as a Crisis of Culture and Identity

Roberto Schiraldi calls for an emotional revolution to restore men's authentic selves

PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Author and licensed professional counselor with over 40 years of experience, Roberto Schiraldi, shares a deep dive into masculinity, trauma and healing in his book "Post Traumatic Macho Disorder: The Way Home (The Greatest Threat to Our Planet / Awakening From The Nightmare)." Part of his series of books covering racial justice, "Post Traumatic Macho Disorder," encourages readers, especially men, to awaken from what he calls a collective nightmare rooted in domination, repression, and emotional disconnection.

"Post Traumatic Macho Disorder," or PTMD, is a condition that Schiraldi describes as the psychological, emotional, and societal damage caused by traditional, rigid notions of masculinity. Schiraldi defines Post Traumatic Macho Disorder as not only something he believes should be considered an official clinical diagnosis, but as a cultural and emotional blight, which has existed since the beginning of time.

PTMD is framed as intergenerational, rooted in patriarchal systems that reward aggression and punish emotional expression, such as vulnerability and gentleness. Schiraldi offers that the true danger to the planet is not external enemies or environmental collapse alone, but the unhealed wounds of masculinity that perpetuate those crises. He explains that these wounds are the foundation of many of the world's problems, including sexism, racism, homophobia, classism and xenophobia.

"We men can learn to acknowledge… and express emotions without shame," Schiraldi said. "Compassion, empathy, intuition and receptiveness are vital to living a healthy and fulfilled life. Culture pressures men to conform to a hyper-masculine ideal, but when we address and unravel the toxic conditioning of macho culture, we can discover a new path based on compassion, vulnerability and wholeness."

The core of Schiraldi's message is that healing is possible. "The Way Home" is a metaphor for returning to one's authentic self, unburdened by the expectations and traumas of macho conditioning. He also emphasizes community, suggesting that healing from PTMD cannot be done in isolation. He encourages men to come together in safe, supportive spaces to share, listen, and hold each other accountable, in respectful ways..

The closing chapters urge readers to see this work not just as individual healing, but as a collective spiritual mission. The ultimate "threat," he suggests, is internal, like fear, hatred, and denial. By confronting and healing these forces within, humanity can begin to create a more compassionate and sustainable world.

"Post Traumatic Macho Disorder: The Way Home (The Greatest Threat to Our Planet / Awakening From The Nightmare)"
By Roberto Schiraldi
ISBN: 9798765257845 (softcover); 9798765257838 (hardcover); 9798765257821 (electronic)
Available at Balboa Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author
Dr. Roberto Schiraldi, EdD, LCP, LCADC is a licensed professional counselor, licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor, and has been a racial justice advocate, trainer, and trauma therapist for over 40 years. He's retired from Counseling and Psychological Services at Princeton University, Princeton, N.J., where he was coordinator of the alcohol and other drug treatment team. He received his doctorate in Holistic Health Education and Counseling from Temple University, Philadelphia, Penn. He is a past President of the New Jersey Association for Multicultural Counseling, past Co-Chair of the Ethics Committee of the New Jersey Counseling Association and has been a member of numerous racial justice organizations, boards, and committees. He is also a pipe carrier in the Sicangu Lakota Native Spiritual Healing Tradition, a Vietnam era veteran, and member of Veterans for Peace. To learn more, please visit www.robertoschiraldi.com.

General Inquiries:     
LAVIDGE – Phoenix
Ashley Fletcher
[email protected]

SOURCE Balboa Press