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The Body Keeps the Score

Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma

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The Body Keeps the Score

By: Bessel van der Kolk
Narrated by: Sean Pratt
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The effects of trauma can be devastating for sufferers, their families and future generations. Here one of the world's experts on traumatic stress offers a bold new paradigm for treatment, moving away from standard talking and drug therapies and towards an alternative approach that heals mind, brain and body.

'Fascinating, hard to put down, and filled with powerful case histories. . . . the most important series of breakthroughs in mental health in the last thirty years' Norman Doidge, author of The Brain that Changes Itself

'An astonishing and important book. The trauma Bible. I cannot recommend it enough for anyone struggling with...well...anything' Tara Westover, author of Educated

'Dr. van der Kolk's masterpiece combines the boundless curiosity of the scientist, the erudition of the scholar, and the passion of the truth teller' Judith Herman, author of Trauma and Recovery

©2019 Bessel van der Kolk (P)2019 Penguin Audio

 Mental Health Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Spirituality Health Meditation Human Brain Substance abuse
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Critic reviews

Fascinating, hard to put down, and filled with powerful case histories. . . . the most important series of breakthroughs in mental health in the last thirty years (Norman Doidge, author of The Brain That Changes Itself)
Dr. van der Kolk's masterpiece combines the boundless curiosity of the scientist, the erudition of the scholar, and the passion of the truth teller (Judith Herman, M.D., author of Trauma and Recovery)
A seminal book that outlines the author's pioneering work
Draws on 30 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 ... van der Kolk has a lot to say, and the struggle and resilience of his patients is very moving
A gripping bestseller about where trauma goes, and its disastrous effects on both individuals and societies. Deeply interesting.
A masterpiece of powerful understanding and brave heartedness, one of the most intelligent and helpful works on trauma I have ever read. . . a brilliant synthesis of clinical cases, neuroscience, powerful tools and caring humanity, offering a whole new level of healing (Jack Kornfied, author of A Path With Heart)
Incredible (William Leith, 'Books of the Year')
Everyone should read this book
All stars
Most relevant
I wish the psychiatrists, therapists and nurses that I have been treated by over the last 15 years had read this book and were trauma informed. I felt like I was finally understanding and joining the dots in relation to my own difficulties. I hope that with the knowledge of why I feel, think and act in these ways I am now able to start finding ways to resolve the trauma and start feeling connected and safe I. The world. There’s a thorough review of the biology of trauma responses as well as discussion of the impact of post-traumatic stress on the individual and society followed by the ways in which people can heal and leave their trauma in their past. An interesting and well researched book by a pioneer and leading professional in trauma therapy and research. Highly recommend

Essential reading for anyone working in health and social care and education

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This is such an informative book on trauma and well narrated by Sean Pratt, making a difficult topic all the more accessible. I’ve learned so much from this book and, as a student counsellor, now have a basis to build on in researching and studying further both trauma and the treatments touched on in this book. This book would have received 5 stars from me if it had included a few more less extreme, or rather violent, cases of trauma. I appreciate that Bessel Van Der Kolk has done a lot of work with veterans and those who’ve survived extreme childhood sexual violence, but he does touch on how it’s often the emotional abuse and interpersonal traumas that are the most difficult to overcome. More examples of such emotional neglect in childhood which is often harder for people to recognise and acknowledge, as well as traumas experienced in adulthood, such as a traumatic birth experience or the devastation of infidelity/betrayal trauma that are not connected to childhood experiences, although awaken past pains, would have made it a 5 star for me.

An excellent book on trauma

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This book will remain one of the best I read, and I read a lot. It's so Interesting and moving that this author spent his life dedicated to find solutions for everyone suffering from trauma while most people don't even care. It changed me. I am very grateful for this author and his book. The reading is absolutely great too.

Break through

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A Life changing and majorly important book

it covers a wide array of psychological and physical trauma related phenomena and gives avenues of research and practices to help heal them. both essential to trained professionals as well as people who have trauma

A Life changing and majorly important book

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This book helped me to understand my own trauma and that of other people in my life.

I expected some practical exercises after the explanations but there is instead some general guidance and encouragement to try mindfulness and a professional therapist.

There are some books which offer at home techniques to try but this is not one of them.

Great insight, not very practical

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