Reviews - الجسد لا ينسى

8.83k reviews for:

TW: child death and sexual assault

This book is very obvious in its theoretical orientation and approach, which I don't mind. I think this book is best when it discusses children and worse when it discusses women and veterans. Obviously, trauma research began with vets, but there is looming, unchallenged sympathy for soldiers and veterans who do awful things overseas and then suffer because of their guilt. Obviously, Kolk can't tell his patients they *are* actually bad people for killing children or r*ping women overseas, but he also didn't have to tell us these specific anecdotes; I don't think they added anything to the story, and honestly, I think they make his points less compelling in those sections because my sympathy just doesn't extend that far.

On a different note, I think his descriptions of the inner workings and the bureaucracy behind diagnostic development and intervention funding were interesting.

scoobydoovitamin's review against another edition

2.0

THIS IS NOT A BOOK FOR HEALING, ITS AN ACADEMIC RESOURCE.

comprehensive regarding the many facets of trauma, including its causes, symptoms, and various treatments options.

having said that, this book is from an academic perspective which may not be to everyone’s liking. on the other hand, if you have knowledge of basic psychology you may find there is not a lot of new info in this book for you to learn.

if anyone does have PTSD, that DBT and CBT therapy are also extremely important apart from holistic approaches and shown empirically to be helpful and should also be a large focus during healing. using medications to allow yourself to start therapy is nothing to be ashamed of and helps with coping; but the author is right in that it will not act as a permanent cure.

update: heard the author is a creep. disappointing

sadcurlyfry's review against another edition

4.25

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

I’m not sure who is the target audience of this book, as it is too pop sciency for professional use, but sometimes may get too clinical for general audiences. Although, if read as a memoir of all the things the author has learned during his extensive career, this book is highly informative and valuable, highlighting may issues that deserve to be talked about.