The Body Keeps the Score

Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

#1 New York Times bestseller

“Essential reading for anyone interested in understanding and treating traumatic stress and the scope of its impact on society.” —Alexander McFarlane, Director of the Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies

A pioneering researcher transforms our understanding of trauma and offers a bold new paradigm for healing in this New York Times bestseller

Trauma is a fact of life. Veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five Americans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma, has spent over three decades working with survivors. In The Body Keeps the Score, he uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores innovative treatments—from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga—that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity. Based on Dr. van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists, The Body Keeps the Score exposes the tremendous power of our relationships both to hurt and to heal—and offers new hope for reclaiming lives.

Cover image: © 2020 Succession H. Matisse / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Courtesty of the Archives Henri Matisse, All rights reserved.

Life Changing

Wow. This book was recommended by my psychiatrist. I’m a teacher and just went through a masters program. I am a curious person and have tried to understand my childhood trauma to understand myself & my students. I have never felt so seen and understood in my life. I almost gave up on this book. It’s the first one I’ve listened to. It’s the reason I got audible. Chapters 5-8 destroyed me emotionally. I am finally able to put back the pieces of my heart and super glue them in place. I can set boundaries and describe to people why I feel the way I do. I cut ties with my mom and am taking time to find myself without the ups and downs of someone else’s emotions stealing my sense of peace and progress. I recommend starting with chapter 5. The third chapter is about medicine and scientific. It’s hard to understand and get through. Chapter 6-8 are AMAZING, but incredibly deep. You cannot listen to this while you’re at work or in the distant background. This audible book is meant for you to sit and take notes or listen to while you drive. I can only handle 30 minutes at a time and then I have to process. Please. Please, use your credit to listen to this book. Press on past the boring part, hard to understand part, or not relatable part. There’s a section in this book for all of us. This is a life changing perspective.

This is truly the beat book on trauma I’ve heard. Ever.

There is so much gathered evidence and proven methodology in here. If you have any sort of trauma, as most of us do, this could save your life. Too difficult to hear the stories? Then start with the treatments and work tour way back. I can’t wait to try some of these myself. Thank you!!!

Great book

I would recommend this book to everyone. It is really great at helping you see some of the things in yourself and freeing you from what’s holding you back. Don’t be the traumatised dog, break out. Great tool and will definitely be rereading

Insightful thoughtful hopeful

Insightful thoughtful hopeful look into how the brain and body live and work in disharmonious function and how they might find unity.

AMAZING: an absolute must-read or must-listen to

Loved it. The narrator is absolutely perfect for the subject matter. Highly recommended. The insights into how we cope with life and the many possibilities for healing are inspiring.