Citi of Books Highlights “Beyond the Diagnosis” by Dr. Carl B. Forkner at LIBER Feria Internacional del Libro 2026

“Beyond the Diagnosis” by Dr. Carl B. Forkner examines an important question in veteran mental health: what happens when a diagnosis such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) does not fully explain what a veteran is experiencing? Drawing from Forkner’s research on PTSD and moral injury, the book looks beyond diagnostic labels to explore the psychological and moral dimensions that can accompany traumatic military experiences.

Forkner’s work focuses particularly on the possibility that moral injury—the distress associated with experiences that violate deeply held moral, ethical, or spiritual beliefs—may be an important factor for some veterans whose struggles persist despite conventional treatment. His research was based on a study of veterans diagnosed with PTSD and was developed into the book as an accessible discussion of the relationship between diagnosis, treatment, moral injury, and recovery.

Instead of treating PTSD as the complete explanation for every veteran’s struggle, the book explores the possibility that moral injury can provide another important perspective for understanding persistent distress. This is particularly relevant because contemporary research recognizes moral injury as an area of growing importance in veteran mental health. A 2024 National Academies review prepared for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs noted the rapid expansion of research into moral injury among military personnel and veterans, while clinical research has explored interventions designed specifically to address moral injury alongside PTSD.

Ultimately, Beyond the Diagnosis encourages readers to look at veterans as individuals whose experiences may involve more than symptoms captured by a diagnostic category. Its focus on moral injury, PTSD, treatment, and the search for more comprehensive approaches to recovery makes it a timely contribution to conversations surrounding veteran mental health. For readers seeking to understand why some veterans may continue to struggle after receiving conventional treatment, Dr. Forkner’s research-based perspective offers an opportunity to examine the less visible dimensions of trauma and the importance of understanding the person behind the diagnosis.

With its focus on international business, professional networking, and the expansion of Spanish-language publishing into European and Latin American markets, LIBER provides a setting where these connections can take shape.

Citi of Books at LIBER Feria Internacional del Libro 2026 — bringing every book into an international publishing community where stories can find new connections, new possibilities, and new readers.