The Body Keeps the Score: A Must-Read Book on Trauma Recovery

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This wonderful book goes in depth on how we store tamma in our minds and body and how we can break from it all by understanding how we perceive life and how to heal from our tragedies.

Great book to read. Hard read though.

This book has a lot of really useful information but in case you haven't seen anyone say it yet it's incredibly traumatic to read. I'm still not convinced I needed that many details about anyone else's horrific suffering to try to figure out a way through my brain.caveat emptor

I had this book since it was first published. I was not entirely enamoured about how it was written. I've learned much more since I first had this. I think you must learn as you go on. This book did not in begining offer me much help. I went back to it recently. I think it has its merits. Too me I'm a person who needs the involved medical research + jargon known to doctors nurses & also later known to those of us who learn more of just what trauma is. Trauma is a process. This book years later is still known as one that is here to help survivors of trauma.

The insight provided by this book details the complexity of the brain and how the body records our individual interpretation of what the brain is saying to us. I believe it also does an excellent job of confirming there is no "one size fits all" therapy, nor are there any perfect therapists. It sets out the numerous tools and techniques that are available and how the author used them to guide others to find ways to resolve trauma in order to lead happier, more productive lives. As individuals and as a society, we have tools to create a better world. Now we need to use them.

The book talked about anatomy and physiology of trauma, and various ways of treating trauma. Many treatment methods were surprising to me because they are not conventional psychotherapy. I learned a lot about how my body and mind works. I recommend this book to everyone. Everyone should be trauma informed.

Perfectly written. Thought provoking, if you have an interest in psychology, this is the book for you.

This is not a book for victims, but for people who are therapist and need to learn about how trauma changes the body.

Brut my review is, specifically about the audiobook.

There is an extremely triggering chapter where they talk about brain scans and how they purposefully triggered people in MRIs or something of that nature- and they READ THE SCRIPT with a singular seconds warning.

You only need to get halfway through the script as you scrambled to get your hands out of the water (because you’re doing dishes because people recommend that you try to do things to help you focus and stay in the now) and suddenly everything is wrong.

Because they triggered you. And you’ve never been triggered that randomly and that badly before.

I’ve also learned a lot about the author and frankly, I regret asking my partner to get me the book.

Try “the body remembers”. I’ve been scared to try it but I’ve heard it’s good. And that is doesn’t have that “sympathy for the devil” bs

I am studying psychology in school. I look at the reading with the perspectives of the student and person in recovery. It reads in a professional manner. I would not recommend it to a person in recovery.

The book is a MUST READ

This book is a must read for any human being.

As someone with CPTSD this book really helped me contextualize my symptoms, provided me with ideas for unusual ways to help myself and gave me something to talk to my therapist about. Academic but accessible, great book.

As a psychologist trained decades ago who made a career in a slightly different line of work from this (human-computer interaction), this book was an eye-opening summary of research and practice that I have not kept up with for decades. It is sobering to see that some therapeutic approaches recommended when I was in school in the late 70s actually did more harm than good based on later empirical research. The research is presented persuasively for a lay or professional audience. The details of how stress and trauma affect not only on minds but also our brains and bodies in physical ways is fascinating, and provides hope for better interventions. People can learn to effectively "rewire" their brains and to better control body chemistry, such as the release of hormones that are not helpful for the circumstances, The reliance on prescription drugs in many cases to treat symptoms without addressing underlying causes does not result in solving the problem. Highly recommend.

Highlights the challenges of dealing with trauma survivors and gives real world idea and feedback about treating those who have suffered including ourselves!

This book is so healing. But i would not read it if I was not also visiting with a therapist/psychologist. I can not give this book enough thumbs up. So educational if your into psychology.

I read this book in a weekend. It’s not written like a dry textbook. It’s highly readable. It give me good insights. The author, unfortunately, gets political near the end talking about “weapons of war” and “universal healthcare”. So be prepared to skip a few paragraphs.

The information in this book help me to understand so much about trauma and its effect on the body. Good information and good resources to help make changes that are needed.

This isn’t the type of book I normally read but my therapist recommended it. I’m so glad I read it! It was super insightful and an empowering read. I truly feel like I understand my trauma a little bit more after reading this book and am looking forward to continuing my healing journey.

This book provides a lot of insight on PTSD. If you want to learn about how trauma effects the brain and apply it to helping others, this book is an easy read, but jam packed full of information. I read it in a matter of days. 🤓

made me wish I had not purchased the book; old ways of thinking.

I learned to better understand my own trauma and the trauma of others, and what things don’t work to help address the root of the symptoms of trauma and what are effective tools to help heal trauma. Everyone should read this book!!!

Good read for PTSD.

The Body Keeps the Score is a groundbreaking and informative book written by renowned psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk. The book offers an in-depth exploration of how trauma affects the brain, mind, and body, and how we can heal from it.

Van der Kolk draws on his extensive research and clinical experience to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of trauma and its impact on the human psyche. He explains how trauma can manifest in a range of symptoms, from anxiety and depression to physical pain and illness. He also discusses the latest scientific findings on trauma and the various treatments available to those who suffer from it.

One of the strengths of The Body Keeps the Score is its accessibility. Van der Kolk writes in a clear and engaging style, making complex concepts easy to understand. He also includes a wealth of case studies and anecdotes, which help to illustrate the impact of trauma on real people.

Overall, The Body Keeps the Score is a must-read for anyone who has experienced trauma or who works with trauma survivors. It provides valuable insights into the nature of trauma and offers hope for those who are seeking healing. Highly recommended.

I’ve had the box 7 months. I am just now I page 300. It’s dense. However, this book is packed with insightful research. His humility and transparency is also breathtaking. Oh, and wait until you learn about IFS. Good stuff. Bessel Van Der Kolk, thank you for your contribution to life.