The Deepest Well

Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity

By: Dr. Nadine Burke Harris

Narrated by: Dr. Nadine Burke Harris

Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

A pioneering physician reveals how childhood stress can lead to lifelong health problems and shows us what we can do to break the cycle.

Two-thirds of us have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience, or ACE, such as abuse, neglect, parental substance dependence, or mental illness. Even though these events may have occurred long ago, they have the power to haunt us long into adulthood, and now we have found that they may even contribute to lifelong illness.

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, the founder/CEO of the Center for Youth Wellness and recipient of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award, expands on similar topics as in her popular TED talk as she demystifies the connection between adversity and ill health. After surveying more than 17,000 adult patients, she found that the higher a person's ACE score, the worse their health. This led Burke Harris to an astonishing breakthrough - childhood stress changes our neural systems, and its impact lasts a lifetime.

Through vivid storytelling that combines both scientific insight with deeply moving stories about her patients and their families, Burke Harris illuminates her journey of discovery from the academy to her own pediatric practice in San Francisco's poverty-ridden Bayview Hunters Point. She reroots the story of childhood trauma and its aftermath in science to help listeners see themselves and others more clearly.

For anyone who has faced a difficult childhood or who cares about the millions of children who do, the innovative and acclaimed health interventions outlined in the The Deepest Well represents vitally important hope for change.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2018 Nadine Burke Harris (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

I needed this book 27 years ago.

My therapist recommended this book because when we are in session I remind her of every single words in this book. And she was right!!
This book is my life. I am so happy she told me about it, because I was able to identify my triggers, and what was causing me to be in the place I’ve been into for the pass 2 years.
Also this book confirms my behaviors in the way I choose to raised my children was right, to keep them away and from around toxic people, and places that would have a negative impact on children.

ACES could not ask for a better advocate

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris has dedicated her life to the wellness of others. Adverse childhood experiences is the public health crisis that until recently, has gone unspoken and unrecognized. It is so important for everyone to understand their ACE score and to share that information with their healthcare team. This book is written in an engaging style and Dr. Harris’ delivery is heartfelt and genuine. I could not recommend this book more highly.

Listening to her Ted talk gave me the energy and courage to change my career path to serve the psychiatric needs of others, many of whom have experienced too much adversity. Yet people are incredibly resilient and have the power to heal. Dr. Harris provides a roadmap for that journey.

Superb!

Dr. Burke Harris delivers a thorough history of ACES. Her experience firsthand with high ACE scores brings credibility to the information rather than just giving numbers and percents. She knew these “numbers” and their stories. She also narrates the book which gives it something that a second-hand telling could never give. Excellent job!

Bridging separation to end suffering.

Much of. The story of stress has been known but The Deepest Well tells it in a way that can be heard and transforms what has been anecdotal into documented truth. It is truth about the consequences of stress but more it is the truth that while humans are vastly different we are the same in our suffering and will find resolutions to our adversity only by acknowledging that being human has a thread that bridges all the differences.

Great book!

Fascinating! As a nurse I loved the medical/clinical aspect. I recommend this book to anyone who loves and care for people !

Fascinating and very well written and read

I was surprised how much I liked this book. Never knew much about the topic and bought it on a whim because it was the daily deal. The author is both an inspiration and a highly engaging personality. Reading this inspired me to learn more about childhood trauma, not because I myself experienced it, but because of the imprint I can see it having on so many people in my life. I've read many dozens of audible books and this is the first one I've felt compelled to write a review for. Keep it up Dr Burke Harris!

The most important book I have ever heard.

I want everyone I know to listen to or read this book! Being a person with a high ACE score, I discovered so much about why I’m the way I am. I understand more about my health issues too, which are considerable.
Dr. Harris, thank you for writing this book.

Beautiful Content

I love how Nadine writes in a story telling way. It is definitely a page turner! Beautiful content as well! I am grateful for how the ACES are continuing to transform our social services and health care!

Revolutionary!

I wish everyone would read this book. Our whole society would get better if we all read this book.

So informative!

Loved it! Dr. Harris gives so much insight on something so overly common, yet not talked about. As a white woman who grew up in lower middle class in the middle of nowhere Missouri, it's good to hear how this affects us all. ACES do not discriminate and they are passed from generation to generation. It was amazing to hear her talk about the physical connection and physiological changes that result from having ACES. I really hope 20 years from now screening and preventative treatment is the gold standard. Thank you, Dr. Harris!

Ps. I am an RN (with an ACE score of 9) and this makes me want to become a therapist so I can help others understand the brain-body connection and how to counteract it.