‘The Body Keeps the Score’ Book Summary

The Body Keeps the Score is a book about trauma, its effects on the brain, and how to heal from it. Written by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a preeminent name in the field of trauma, The Body Keeps the Score draws on his extensive clinical experience to provide a comprehensive look at how trauma affects both mind and body.

The book is divided into three sections: an overview of trauma and its effects, a look at how traditional methods of treating trauma have failed, and finally, van der Kolk's proposed solution of "body-oriented" therapies.

In the first section, van der Kolk provides a detailed description of what happens to the brain when it experiences trauma. He describes how the brain goes into survival mode, shutting down higher-order functions in order to focus on immediate threats. This "fight-or-flight" response is meant to be temporary, but for many people who have experienced trauma, it becomes permanent. As a result, they may feel constantly on edge, always ready for danger even when there is none.

Van der Kolk describes how traditional methods of treating trauma—such as talk therapy—often fail because they do not take into account the changes that occur in the brain due to trauma. He argues that simply talking about one's experiences will not lead to healing if the underlying changes in the brain are not addressed.

It is only by addressing these changes—through "body-oriented" therapies such as yoga and somatic experiencing—that healing can begin. In the final section of the book, van der Kolk provides an overview of these therapies and describes how they can help people who have experienced trauma regain a sense of control over their bodies and their lives.

The Body Keeps the Score is an important book for anyone interested in understanding more about trauma and its effects on both mind and body. It provides a comprehensive overview of both traditional and innovative therapies for treating trauma, making it an essential resource for both clinicians and patients alike.