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The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
thechanelmuse's review against another edition
3.0
This is a tough one.
The Body Keeps the Score is a raw, dense, introductory read, largely on PTSD, that’s filled with some good takeaways. However, it isn’t handled with much care, in regards to the detailed trauma stories on sexual assault, incest, violence and more that could trigger and possibly re-traumatize readers who may notice parallels with their own experiences. It’s a lot. For example: Opening the book, let alone including, Tom’s war story and concluding what he subjected a woman, a farmer and children to in retaliation to losing his fellow comrades in Vietnam is beyond wild…
The Body Keeps the Score is a raw, dense, introductory read, largely on PTSD, that’s filled with some good takeaways. However, it isn’t handled with much care, in regards to the detailed trauma stories on sexual assault, incest, violence and more that could trigger and possibly re-traumatize readers who may notice parallels with their own experiences. It’s a lot. For example: Opening the book, let alone including, Tom’s war story and concluding what he subjected a woman, a farmer and children to in retaliation to losing his fellow comrades in Vietnam is beyond wild…
youngthespian42's review against another edition
4.0
Extremely informative on the history of modern psychology and the development of the disorder PTSD. Painful stories on the way we have and still fail people who suffer from trauma. I missed the more focused approach in the history section once the book got more practical to treating. Felt a little all over the in treatment options.
stephen_schloesser's review against another edition
3.0
Groundbreaking approach to mental health and trauma, but a bit of a slog to get through.
The history of the development of the field of psychology and the complex relationship between SSRIs and other treatment options is very interesting but distracts from the practical applications in this book. A summary and a chapter skim or two WILL suffice.
The history of the development of the field of psychology and the complex relationship between SSRIs and other treatment options is very interesting but distracts from the practical applications in this book. A summary and a chapter skim or two WILL suffice.
turidt's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Rape
Moderate: War, Violence, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Police brutality, and Murder
claudiaslibrarycard's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
The Body Keeps the Score is an impressive work of nonfiction explaining how trauma shows up in the body and various therapeutic modalities that have been shown to be effective in reducing the impact of trauma.
While this book is long, I felt engaged throughout and thought it was accessible for those outside the world of psychiatry and counseling. There is a good balance of data and stories from patients. As you would expect, the content is heavy and if you have a history of trauma, it will probably come up in reading this book. Proceed with care and a plan for taking care of yourself while making it through this important book.
My only complaint about this book is numerous references to obesity as an outcome of trauma. I'm not disagreeing with this necessarily, but data wasn't referenced and it wasn't unpacked in a way that assured me that there was not anti-fat bias at play.
While this book is long, I felt engaged throughout and thought it was accessible for those outside the world of psychiatry and counseling. There is a good balance of data and stories from patients. As you would expect, the content is heavy and if you have a history of trauma, it will probably come up in reading this book. Proceed with care and a plan for taking care of yourself while making it through this important book.
My only complaint about this book is numerous references to obesity as an outcome of trauma. I'm not disagreeing with this necessarily, but data wasn't referenced and it wasn't unpacked in a way that assured me that there was not anti-fat bias at play.
stephlouisee15's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
ericness's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
stephibabes's review against another edition
4.0
Challenging in parts to listen to examples of devastating trauma. But amazing insight into how the body, brain and mind respond to trauma and to treatments.