Bessel van der Kolk (born 1943) is a Boston based psychiatrist noted for his research in the area of post-traumatic stress since the 1970s. His work focuses on the interaction of attachment, neurobiology, and developmental aspects of trauma’s effects on people. His major publication, the New York Times bestseller, 'The Body keeps the Score', talks about how the role of trauma in psychiatric illness has changed over the past 20 years; what we have learned about the ways the brain is shaped by traumatic experiences; how traumatic stress is a response of the entire organism and how that knowledge needs be integrated into healing practices.
Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
~ I purchased this book once for a dear friend of mine who's dealt with an incredible amount of childhood trauma ranging from physical, mental abuses to that of sexuality and exploitation. This friend was able to learn a lot about their experiences and tendencies at present in correlation with what transpired throughout the earliest years in congruence with adolescent neglect.
"The Body Keeps Score"
In The Body Keeps the Score, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk dives deep into the intricate relationship between trauma and the body, offering groundbreaking insights on how our experiences shape not just our minds but also our physical well-being. For anyone on a journey of self-improvement or looking to understand the hidden forces that impact their wellness, this book is a transformative read.
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Dr. van der Kolk’s work combines science, compassionate storytelling, and practical solutions, showing how trauma can manifest in physical ailments, and offering a pathway to healing through methods like mindfulness, yoga, and neurofeedback. Whether you’re seeking to overcome past struggles, improve your mental health, or simply live a more fulfilled life, this book provides the tools to break free from the grip of unresolved trauma and move toward lasting well-being.
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The Body Keeps the Score isn’t just a book about recovery—it’s about reclaiming your body, mind, and life. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to take control of their healing journey, and understand the profound connection between emotional and physical health. Start your path to self-discovery and lasting wellness today.
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"Trauma results in a fundamental reorganization of the way mind and brain manage perceptions. It changes not only how we think and what we think about, but also our very capacity to think."
“The trauma caused by childhood neglect, sexual or domestic abuse and war wreaks havoc in our bodies, says Bessel van der Kolk in The Body Keeps the Score. . . . Van der Kolk draws on thirty years of experience to argue powerfully that trauma is one of the West’s most urgent public health issues. . . . Packed with science and human stories, the book is an intense read. . . . [T]he struggle and resilience of his patients is very moving.”
—Shaoni Bhattacharya, New Scientist
“In The Body Keeps the Score we share the author’s courageous journey into the parallel dissociative worlds of trauma victims and the medical and psychological disciplines that are meant to provide relief. In this compelling book we learn that as our minds desperately try to leave trauma behind, our bodies keep us trapped in the past with wordless emotions and feelings. These inner disconnections cascade into ruptures in social relationships with disastrous effects on marriages, families, and friendships. Van der Kolk offers hope by describing treatments and strategies that have successfully helped his patients reconnect their thoughts with their bodies. We leave this shared journey understanding that only through fostering self-awareness and gaining an inner sense of safety will we, as a species, fully experience the richness of life.
—Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; author of The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation
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