47 pages 1 hour read

Bessel van der Kolk

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2014

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D., is a 2014 nonfiction work that explores trauma, its physiological effects, and its treatments through anecdotes, personal stories, and scientific citations. Van der Kolk traces the history of trauma research, critiques the focus on medication over holistic treatment, and covers various methods like EMDR, yoga, and neurofeedback. The book addresses sensitive topics such as combat PTSD, accidents, assaults, and childhood abuse and neglect.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk offers a comprehensive exploration of trauma's impacts on the body and mind, blending scientific data with personal anecdotes. Praised for its empathy and accessible writing, some critics find it overly detailed or disjointed. Overall, it is a valuable resource for both professionals and lay readers seeking insight into trauma recovery.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Body Keeps the Score?

A reader who would enjoy The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk is passionate about psychology, trauma recovery, and neuroscience. They likely enjoyed The Body by Bill Bryson and Waking the Tiger by Peter A. Levine. This reader seeks insights and practical advice on healing from trauma and understanding its physical and psychological impacts.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Psychology

Themes

Life/Time: Childhood & Youth