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Reviews
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
piggypiggy's review against another edition
1.0
Extremely graphic depictions of people’s trauma. I didn’t get anything useful out of this
mxunsmiley's review against another edition
5.0
Completely life-changing for me. I have PTSD (most likely CPTSD honestly) along with schizoaffective disorder and only recently have I sought alternative treatment for my mental condition. This book changed how I view my future, more with hope than dread, and what I can do to take charge of my treatment instead of relying on medication that most likely only worsens my condition or only marginally improves it, or even talk therapy, which I will say with conviction has never substantially helped me--and now I know why.
The book first begins by explaining trauma in a biological sense. It is very simply put and easy to follow with plenty of pictures. It's very fascinating; the inquisitive part of me really appreciated learning what trauma does to the brain and body, as well as making me fear it much less because it is explainable. It made my EMDR treatment make a lot more sense to me (because yes, it was maddening how I saw so many benefits yet couldn't explain it for the life of me).
It then goes on to recount what I must say are extremely triggering examples of the manifestation of trauma. I had to read these sections very slowly because I'd find myself mirroring what he described. At the same time, they were cathartic, because finally I could see why I'd act in these ways throughout my entire life basically, and that countless others struggled that way too.
Finally, he talks about various treatments he's studied and used for PTSD. I was completely unaware of many of them and they make me more bitter about the fact that they're not as widely available as they should be, in comparison to the overprescription of psychiatric medication, and then if you're lucky to find a therapist in the area, they most likely exclusively practice CBT and/or have no idea how to treat traumatized patients.
The way he wrote clearly showed that he cares so much about his patients and is willing to use a variety of treatments, which is mind-blowing to me because I just have an absolute lack of faith in the medical establishment, particularly psychiatry (and psychology) after over a decade dealing with these people. That he was present at the beginning of the pharmacological revolution and yet has come to these conclusions and calls out the bullshit of the DSM and APA, is still something that is hard for me to believe.
Highly recommend to trauma survivors and people who are sick of psychiatry/psychology in general (because God knows trauma survivors are high on that list also). I do have to caution the former, though, because he can be very explicit and descriptive about specific abuses, so it has the potential to be extremely triggering for some people.
The book first begins by explaining trauma in a biological sense. It is very simply put and easy to follow with plenty of pictures. It's very fascinating; the inquisitive part of me really appreciated learning what trauma does to the brain and body, as well as making me fear it much less because it is explainable. It made my EMDR treatment make a lot more sense to me (because yes, it was maddening how I saw so many benefits yet couldn't explain it for the life of me).
It then goes on to recount what I must say are extremely triggering examples of the manifestation of trauma. I had to read these sections very slowly because I'd find myself mirroring what he described. At the same time, they were cathartic, because finally I could see why I'd act in these ways throughout my entire life basically, and that countless others struggled that way too.
Finally, he talks about various treatments he's studied and used for PTSD. I was completely unaware of many of them and they make me more bitter about the fact that they're not as widely available as they should be, in comparison to the overprescription of psychiatric medication, and then if you're lucky to find a therapist in the area, they most likely exclusively practice CBT and/or have no idea how to treat traumatized patients.
The way he wrote clearly showed that he cares so much about his patients and is willing to use a variety of treatments, which is mind-blowing to me because I just have an absolute lack of faith in the medical establishment, particularly psychiatry (and psychology) after over a decade dealing with these people. That he was present at the beginning of the pharmacological revolution and yet has come to these conclusions and calls out the bullshit of the DSM and APA, is still something that is hard for me to believe.
Highly recommend to trauma survivors and people who are sick of psychiatry/psychology in general (because God knows trauma survivors are high on that list also). I do have to caution the former, though, because he can be very explicit and descriptive about specific abuses, so it has the potential to be extremely triggering for some people.
mahovina's review against another edition
4.0
One of the more fascinating reads of this year, looking forward to reading more books like this!
saramassoudi's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.5
emburs's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Car accident
Moderate: War
lissir's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Overview of how our bodies hold trauma and some ways to let go. The first half dives into various traumas and how they might present in different people. The second half explores a few treatment modalities that have been found useful. I am curious about the audience for the book and feel that early career therapists and social service workers may benefit from some of the insights both in how they prescribe treatment and in understanding reactions from those they serve.
thenorthernlibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5