The Body Keeps the Score: Unlocking the Secrets of Trauma and Healing

Episode 111,   Dec 22, 2023, 12:37 AM

Quotes of The Body Keeps The Score book

1. "Trauma is not just an event that took place sometime in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body."

2. "Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect of mental health."

3. "Traumatized people chronically feel unsafe inside their bodies: the past is alive in the form of gnawing interior discomfort."

4. "Our capacity to destroy one another is matched by our capacity to heal one another."

5. "The challenge of recovery is to reestablish ownership of your body and your mind - of your self."

6. "The brain can be changed by trauma and so can the mind."

7. "Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness."

8. "People cannot recover as long as their lives continue to be influenced by elements of the trauma."

9. "If the body doesn't feel safe to you, then nothing else can."

10. "Emotional pain feels as if it's happening now, no matter when the triggering event occurred."

11. "We are fundamentally social animals – deeply interconnected, and shaped through our interactions with one another."

12. "The body keeps score of trauma on its own terms, not on a narrative its mind imposes on it."

13. "Traumatized people can't recover until they become familiar with, and befriend, the sensations in their bodies."

14. "Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence."

15. "Panic is the quintessential response to life-threatening trauma."

It is worth noting that these quotes are paraphrased versions of points made in the book.

Books Like The Body Keeps The Score

1. "In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness" by Peter A. Levine

2. "Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma" by Peter A. Levine

3. "Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence - From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror" by Judith L. Herman

4. "The PTSD Workbook: Simple, Effective Techniques for Overcoming Traumatic Stress Symptoms" by Mary Beth Williams and Soili Poijula

5. "Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving" by Pete Walker

6. "Trauma is Really Strange" by Steve Haines and Sophie Standing

7. "The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity" by Nadine Burke Harris

8. "The Tao of Trauma: A Practitioner's Guide for Integrating Five Element Theory and Trauma Treatment" by Alaine D. Duncan

9. "The Trauma Tool Kit: Healing PTSD from the Inside Out" by Susan Pease Banitt

10. "Bessel van der Kolk's The Body Keeps the Score: Key Takeaways & Analysis" by QuickRead. 

The Body Keeps The Score book summary

"The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk is a book that explores the effects of trauma on the human body and mind. The author, a psychiatrist and trauma expert, draws upon years of research and clinical experience to provide insight into the ways in which trauma can fundamentally change a person's brain and body.

The book begins by examining how traumatic experiences can lead to various mental health disorders, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Van der Kolk emphasizes that trauma is not just a psychological problem, but also a physical one. He explains that trauma can cause the brain to become dysregulated, resulting in difficulties with memory, emotional regulation, and attention.

The author then delves into the different forms of trauma, including childhood abuse, war experiences, and natural disasters. He highlights the importance of understanding the impact of adverse experiences on both an individual and societal level.

Van der Kolk also explores various therapeutic approaches that can help individuals recover from trauma, including traditional talk therapy, EMDR, yoga, and neurofeedback. He emphasizes the importance of finding a treatment that works for each individual, as everyone's experience of trauma is unique.

Throughout the book, van der Kolk shares compelling case studies of his patients, illustrating the enduring effects of trauma and the transformative power of trauma-informed care. He also discusses the role of art, movement, and mindfulness in healing traumatic memories and reconnecting with the body.

Overall, "The Body Keeps the Score" provides a comprehensive understanding of the profound impact of trauma on the body and mind. It offers valuable insights for both individuals who have experienced trauma and professionals in the mental health field. Van der Kolk advocates for a holistic approach to healing trauma, one that recognizes the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit.