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4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
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Dr. Salena Potter
5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for clinicians
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2018
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Fantastic, must have book for clinicians. I've read it twice, and frequently find myself returning to it as a dominant resource. The content is so useful and easily applicable in the treatment of trauma. It is well organized and well-written.
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Dale L Coppock
5.0 out of 5 stars Good info
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2014
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I purchased this book to help me as I write about my experiences with acute PTSD developed as a result of workplace bullying. I wanted to understand what happens in the brain - it is helping me to better understand brain trauma caused by traumatic situations.
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FARIBA
2.0 out of 5 stars Far too technical at times.. Good for psychology students..
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2020
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Far too technical for an ordinary person to read.. Gets boring after a while..Good as a text book for psychology student..
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Pattie S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended read
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2018
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Van Der Kolk is always awesome; this book does not disappointment and he continues to make trauma so understandable.
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Beverly Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars Trauma Informed Care
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2014
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I teach about the effects of stress and trauma on a person's thinking and behavior. I reread this book constantly as it is full of evidence. I am in the mental health field. It is imperative we understand how trauma impacts a life.
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bevd
5.0 out of 5 stars Readable on target
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2018
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So on target so readable
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veronica briody
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent author!
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2019
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I love the book!
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Anna
5.0 out of 5 stars Traumatic Stress
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2014
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I learned a tremendous amount about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by reading this text. I was not aware of how trauma is held in a particular part of the body. Understanding the somatic issues inherent in trauma can really assist people in recovering from trauma expeditiously. van der Kolk is an expert, making the contextual information on trauma available to clinicians and non-professionals.

Dr. van der Kolk has sparked my research interest to continue the study of neuroscience, creative therapies and somatic healing.
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Sia Jane
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for understanding trauma
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2016
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The most comprehensive book I have ever read on trauma. I bought this book in 2003 and have referred back to it many times, both for myself and in helping others. I couldn't recommend it more.
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stephen bore
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 14, 2015
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INSIGHTFUL
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Olave
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 23, 2015
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Though written some years ago, nobody else has described The Effects of Overwhelming as well as this author.
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Miss Belinda Hutton
5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2013
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great book haven't put it down since I got it, a must have for anyone studying PTSD, well worth it
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竜宮城から戻って来たブタ
5.0 out of 5 stars バイブル
Reviewed in Japan on December 2, 2017
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PTSDに関連する本の中ではトップクラスの内容でかなり詳しい。
高額だから躊躇していたのだけどもっと早く買っておけばよかったと後悔。
私は著者の本は『サイコロジカル・トラウマ』→『身体はトラウマを記録する』→本書、の順番に読んだのだが、PTSDの生物学的な影響の各種データなどは本書が一番細かく載っていてためになった。

とにかく、身体はトラウマを記録する、から興味を持った人に言いたいが、絶対にこちらも読んでおいた方が良い。
身体はトラウマを記録する、は、著書の自伝+最新の研究結果、と言った内容だが、こちらはただひたすらトラウマを受ければどういうダメージを身体と精神に遺し、どうなるか、についてひたすら記述があり、患者自身の自己理解には相当役に立つ。
最新の研究はこれを基礎としてなりたっていると言えるし、古くさいとかは微塵もないから自分が罹患者の人には絶対に読んでおいて欲しい。
これに比べたら他のトラウマ本（一般人向けの優しい軽めの本のこと）は子供のおもちゃレベル。

内容はどれもが凄いが個人的にはヘンリー・クリスタルが述べた外傷体験中の内的な感覚についてや、PTSD罹患者がとる行動は具体的にどういう理由からなのか、などの記述からとても得るものが多かった。
特に外傷体験中の情動についての部分は、私自身の心の奥から出て来たがっている、自分の体験当時の感情を抑えつけている蓋のようなものをさらにこじ開けてくれたと思う。

本書の難点を上げるとすれば、一人の患者に焦点を当てた臨床の記録が少なく、全体を通して淡々と説明が続く感じで正に学術書と言った本であるために多少の読み辛さがあるところでしょうか。

とにかく見てみたい方、特にPTSD当事者の方は図書館を梯子してでも見つけて読んでみることをお勧めします。
疑いなくヴァンダーコーク先生の3著書はPTSDを理解するための骨格になるので読まないと始まんないですね。
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