The Body Keeps the Score

Summary

"The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma" is a book by psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Bessel van der Kolk. The book discusses the long-term effects of trauma on the brain and body, and how trauma can manifest in physical and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. It also explores various approaches to treating trauma, including traditional talk therapy, body-based therapies like yoga and somatic experiencing, and medication.

Van der Kolk argues that traditional therapies often fail to address the physical and emotional effects of trauma, and that a more holistic approach is needed to truly heal from trauma. He asserts that trauma can be held in the body and can manifest in physical symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, and insomnia, as well as emotional symptoms such as flashbacks and difficulty regulating emotions.

The book has been widely praised for its comprehensive and accessible approach to understanding and treating trauma, and has become a widely respected resource in the field of trauma treatment.