The Body Keeps the Score

by Bessel van der Kol
The Body Keeps the Score cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Psychology and Human Behavior
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  • ID: 977
  • Added: 2025-09-23
  • Updated: 2025-10-10
  • ISBN: 9780143127741
  • Publisher: Penguin Books
  • Published: 2015-09-08
  • Reviews: 4

In 'The Body Keeps the Score,' Bessel van der Kolk, MD, delves into the intricate ways trauma reshapes the body and brain, challenging conventional approaches to healing. This book combines cutting-edge research with compelling case studies to reveal how trauma can manifest physically and emotionally, often leaving victims feeling disconnected from their own bodies. Van der Kolk presents a range of innovative treatments, from neurofeedback to yoga, that help trauma survivors reclaim their lives. /n/nThe book is not just a scientific exploration but also a deeply human story, offering hope and practical solutions for those affected by trauma. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the body's role in trauma recovery, providing a comprehensive guide for both professionals and individuals seeking healing.

Reviews
traumapractice.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-11-09
brilliant 4.50

The reviewer found Jorge Luis Borges' 'Collected Fictions' to be a mindblowing and brilliant collection of short stories, with recurring themes of labyrinths, libraries, and infinities. They appreciated the surprise endings and the way Borges played with different forms and genres, making each story unique and unexpected.

The reviewer initially picked up 'Collected Fictions' by Jorge Luis Borges to get out of a reading slump, focusing on one story at a time. They were drawn to Borges' short stories, which range from less than a page to sixteen pages. The reviewer had previously read a few of Borges' stories and was excited to finally read the entire collection. They found the stories to be mindblowing and brilliant, with recurring themes of labyrinths, libraries, and infinities. The surprise endings and the way Borges played with different forms and genres made each story unique and unexpected. The reviewer also appreciated the forewords and afterwords by Borges, which added depth to the stories. They felt a sense of joy and accomplishment upon finishing the book, but also a deep sadness knowing that there are no more new Borges stories left to read.

Quick quotes

    The surprise ending that Borges delivers, is mindblowing. It turns the story upside down in unexpected ways. It makes us go back to the first page of the story, look for clues, and wonder how we missed it.

    Borges keeps doing this again and again — he takes a traditional form of a story from a particular genre, and applies his inventive genius to it and creates something unexpected and new and beautiful out of it.

    There was a story in the collection called ‘The Story of the Two Dreamers’ which was very similar to Paulo Coelho’s ‘The Alchemist’. I am wondering whether Coelho was inspired by that.

motherjones.com · Unknown · 2025-10-20
insightful 4.50

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk has become a pandemic hit, topping bestseller lists and becoming a meme on social media. The book explores trauma and PTSD, emphasizing the body's role in storing trauma and the limits of talking therapies. Van der Kolk's work challenges traditional psychiatry and advocates for a more holistic approach to treatment.

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk has become a significant cultural phenomenon, especially during the pandemic. The book delves into the complexities of trauma and PTSD, highlighting how the body retains trauma in ways that talking therapies alone cannot address. Van der Kolk's insights are drawn from his extensive work with trauma survivors, including veterans and abuse victims. He emphasizes the importance of understanding trauma's physiological effects and advocates for a more holistic approach to treatment, incorporating practices like yoga and bodywork. His work challenges the traditional psychiatric focus on analysis and pharmaceuticals, advocating for a more personalized and experiential approach to healing.

Quick quotes

    The urgent work of the brain after a traumatic event is to suppress it, through forgetting or self-blame, to avoid being ostracised.

    The reality, of course, is that being traumatised does make you a difficult person to get along with.

    If the body is storing trauma in its musculature, in its hormonal pathways, then it is the body that needs experiences that deeply and viscerally contradict the helplessness, rage or collapse that result from trauma.

guardianbookshop.com · Unknown · 2025-10-19
enlightening 4.50

The Body Keeps the Score is a groundbreaking book that delves into the profound impact of trauma on the human body and mind. It offers a compassionate and insightful exploration of how trauma reshapes our physiology and emotions, providing a roadmap for healing and recovery.

The Body Keeps the Score is a transformative read that sheds light on the often-overlooked connection between trauma and physical health. The author's extensive research and personal anecdotes create a compelling narrative that challenges conventional views on trauma. They emphasize the importance of understanding the body's responses to trauma and offer practical strategies for healing. The book is both enlightening and empowering, making it a must-read for anyone interested in mental health and well-being. The detailed case studies and scientific explanations make the complex topic accessible and relatable, fostering a deeper understanding of the healing process.

Quick quotes

    The body keeps the score, and the mind remembers what the mind wants to forget.

    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.

    Healing from trauma is not a passive process. It requires active engagement and a willingness to confront the pain.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · Unknown · 2025-10-15
transformative 4.50

The Body Keeps the Score is praised for its profound exploration of trauma and its effects on the body and mind. The book is seen as a transformative work that offers hope and practical advice for healing.

The Body Keeps the Score is widely acclaimed for its deep dive into the science of trauma and its impact on the human body. Readers appreciate the book's ability to make complex concepts accessible and its emphasis on the importance of understanding and addressing trauma. Many find the personal stories and case studies compelling, providing a human touch to the scientific explanations. The book is also lauded for its practical advice and hope it offers to those struggling with trauma. However, some readers note that the book can be dense and may require multiple readings to fully grasp its concepts.

Quick quotes

    The book offers a comprehensive and compassionate look at trauma and its effects

    It's a game-changer for anyone dealing with trauma or working in the field of mental health

    The practical advice and hope offered in the book are invaluable.

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