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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
i thought this was a pretty well done book of nonfiction that merged the personal with the facts and studies and it was pretty accessible but sometimes i simple could not even be interested but it also pissed me off bc i was reading this not to be made aware of the memories and things i suffer with but to try to learn how to live with it more easily but never really got that feeling
It took me quite some time to finish, since this is not a book you binge on. It describes many cases of trauma and what it does to the person, to their brain and what therapy will or will not do. It is a very thoroughly researched book and I liked it a lot. It gave hope for the future when it comes to therapies, however I am not very hopeful about the amount of people needing therapy in the future.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Honestly, this book is very well written, especially since it’s written by an M. D, and it explores the nature of PTSD and its many treatments. I really appreciate that the author points out that treatment is not the same in any two patients, instead there are general things that could work for many people. What really wasn’t my cup of tea was the repetition of cases, physiology, and anatomy that I learnt in pharmacy school, but they are quite critical to understand the nature of trauma and how your body works, including your brain to be able to understand it and be able to live with it.
I really like the inclusion of MRIs and some of the illustrations , but the repetition of cases and so many examples really threw me off. However, this book has many great treatments mentioned throughout the book not only in the last part in the treatment such as a physical exercise to rehabilitate your body into motion to get out of the constant state of flight and flight. such as doing kickboxing or martial arts or yoga or getting massages, in addition but not limited to medical treatments, such as pharmacotherapy (though I’m not a fan myself and fully support the evidence and opinions of Dr. Bessel to why they aren’t the best course of treatment) EMDR and CBT, as well as non-conventional treatments, such as meditation and acupuncture. In the end, different things work for different people, but they are general procedures that practitioners and patients could try that would help even if they are not suffers of PTSD but have other mental illnesses that could be improved with such treatments.
I feel like if you read this book and you are a survivor of trauma you probably have a lot of strength to come in terms with what you’ve endured, And if you’re not, I hope that this book helps you become a more compassionate human being to understand people who’ve gone through such terrible experiences they still relive every day.
I hope we all try our best to become better functioning human beings in society and try to be a part of the circle that heals others instead of causing more suffering.
I really like the inclusion of MRIs and some of the illustrations , but the repetition of cases and so many examples really threw me off. However, this book has many great treatments mentioned throughout the book not only in the last part in the treatment such as a physical exercise to rehabilitate your body into motion to get out of the constant state of flight and flight. such as doing kickboxing or martial arts or yoga or getting massages, in addition but not limited to medical treatments, such as pharmacotherapy (though I’m not a fan myself and fully support the evidence and opinions of Dr. Bessel to why they aren’t the best course of treatment) EMDR and CBT, as well as non-conventional treatments, such as meditation and acupuncture. In the end, different things work for different people, but they are general procedures that practitioners and patients could try that would help even if they are not suffers of PTSD but have other mental illnesses that could be improved with such treatments.
I feel like if you read this book and you are a survivor of trauma you probably have a lot of strength to come in terms with what you’ve endured, And if you’re not, I hope that this book helps you become a more compassionate human being to understand people who’ve gone through such terrible experiences they still relive every day.
I hope we all try our best to become better functioning human beings in society and try to be a part of the circle that heals others instead of causing more suffering.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
This book is a bit dated. I think the way trauma is handled worldwide has changed. And I know Bessel van der Kolk has received criticism for presenting techniques that have not yet been backed by science. But where is the harm in exploring way to prevent and treat trauma that don't involve prescribing drugs? isn't it exactly what we need in this day and age?
A warning, the author describes the details of several traumatic events from his patients, including SA.
Overall an interesting read, to take with a grain of salt.
A warning, the author describes the details of several traumatic events from his patients, including SA.
Overall an interesting read, to take with a grain of salt.
I'd read this again and again. It offered great thought starters to talk to my therapist about. Worth a re-read down the line
This is a hard book to read emotionally. It is very informative if you work with other people. I am a teacher, and I learned a lot about the student trama behavior. It is a good book but hard also in language in some parts or theory. I think it is a must read, even if difficult.