The Body Keeps the Score
Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
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4.4 • 807 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
#1 New York Times bestseller
“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 Studies
A pioneering researcher transforms our understanding of trauma and offers a bold new paradigm for healing in this New York Times bestseller
Trauma is a fact of life. 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. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma, has spent over three decades working with survivors. 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. 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. Based on Dr. 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.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
From domestic violence to sexual abuse, from the loss of a job to the loss of a loved one, trauma affects countless people—and has lasting effects. Psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk’s groundbreaking book explores how traumatic experiences can lead to physical problems in addition to mental and emotional suffering. This invaluable guide thoroughly catalogs the long-term effects of post-traumatic stress, from intrusive thoughts to autoimmune disorders. Crucially, Van der Kolk also details treatment options, exploring the positive impact of creative outlets like writing and dancing, as well as mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga, all of which can help rewire the brain to finally stop reliving the pain. The hopeful message of The Body Keeps the Score is that when it comes to trauma, there are many ways to heal.
Customer Reviews
Insightful use of science for trauma
I found the connection of the mind-body in dealing with trauma and the various methods proposed very intriguing.
The best book on trauma, for professionals and patients. Explains, and offers hope
I was abused throughout my childhood. I ended up a runaway in the late sixties, and at 14 was assaulted for five days in the St. Louis youth facility.
Nothing matches this book for explaining me to me. With accessible and powerful language, anecdotes, and good science, van der Kolk makes the case for how trauma rewires us, and what we can do about it.
I have waited for this book my whole life.
Poorly Researched and Inacccurate
I started reading this book to help me understand myself and my trauma better. While I am not a trauma expert, I do have some background knowledge about many topics addressed in the book. At first I noticed that the author would briefly mention complex topics in an overly simplified way with no context. I didn’t initially have an issue with this, as it is something that is often seen in psychology 101 classes where you can’t go into depth about certain things and have to simplify it for the sake of keeping things short and simple. I did, however, feel that if someone were to take the statements at face value they might come to the wrong conclusions, as is common from students who take a 101 college course about a broad (and complex) topic. Sometimes the author himself seemed to only have a 101 level understanding of topics mentioned (such as the mirror neurons bit, iykyk). But the last straw was when he got to the repressed memories part. Any neuroscience/psychology/cognitive science UNDERGRAD student who has taken a single human memory course can talk at length about how that theory is not only outdated, but also debunked and dangerous. At that point I knew this guy was a fraud. A quick google search will point you towards the many pseudoscientific theories he presents in this book. There are also many problematic retelling of stories in the book that are presented in an insensitive and disturbing manner. While I know many have benefited from reading this book, it will not help anyone who knows better.