In the second section, he discusses different therapies, studies, with firsthand experiences from patients who have undergone various treatments. He walks you step by step through different traumas and gives patients’ firsthand experiences of its effects. Van der Kolk has spent his life in complete curiosity surrounding PTSD, studying trauma causing PTSD and its lifelong effects on a person’s mind and body. I gave both of them trigger warnings, although I have had only “so that is why!” reactions.ĭr. After a day including two additional hours, I purchased my daughter the audiobook, and purchased the book for her husband (three deployments, two of which were in Afghanistan). I purchased the audio book and after two hours of listening, I purchased the book. Van der Kolk’s medical studies, and unique therapies for trauma, PTSD, and the many comorbid disorders that accompany trauma. In search for the how and the why of its return and new therapies to replace talk therapy, I purchased an almost useless mental health book, only useful in that it offhandedly mentioned The Body Keeps the Score, Dr. I was surprised when the darkness returned and again took control of my life in my mid-fifties, bringing all of its friends. PERSONAL RATING DIRECTED AT TRAUMA SURVIVORSĪs a survivor who has only had issues during times of family drama brought on by either my parents or siblings, I thought I had the past taken care of years ago with therapy in my twenties.

van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists, The Body Keeps the Score exposes the tremendous power of our relationships both to hurt and to heal-and offers new hope for reclaiming lives. He explores innovative treatments-from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga-that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity. In The Body Keeps the Score, he uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma, has spent over three decades working with survivors. Veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat one in five Americans has been molested one in four grew up with alcoholics one in three couples have engaged in physical violence. “Essential reading for anyone interested in understanding and treating traumatic stress and the scope of its impact on society.” -Alexander McFarlane, Director of the Centre for Traumatic Stress StudiesĪ pioneering researcher transforms our understanding of trauma and offers a bold new paradigm for healing in this New York Times bestseller

The brain keeps the score