A number of people have recommended that I read The Body Keeps the Score, so I thought that after it had sat on my shelf for a while, I should give it a try.

Bessel van der Kolk writes The Body Keeps the Score from a position of having worked with people for decades, helping them to navigate, process, and heal from traumatic experiences. His deep passion is evident in every chapter, and he uses multiple real-life examples to communicate his ideas to the reader.

He unpacks the wiring and relationship between our brain and our experiences, especially the traumatic ones, before showing how our childhood experiences, relationships, and development shape us throughout our entire adult lives, ending with a variety of practical, evidence-based insights. 

This book is Bessel’s attempt to highlight the importance of developmental trauma in the medical and psychotherapy worlds, but it is written in a way that is accessible to all of us, enabling us to gain a deeper understanding of how our brain, emotions, body, and experiences are interconnected.

I found it extremely insightful and recognised that while I wouldn’t say I have experienced trauma in any extreme way, I have faced difficult experiences that have shaped me. Understanding this more has helped me feel more in control of emotions and anxieties that sometimes arise.

Interesting quotes

“Most of our conscious brain is dedicated to focusing on the outside world: getting along with others and making plans for the future. However, that does not help us manage ourselves. Neuroscience research shows that the only way we can change the way we feel is by becoming aware of our inner experience and learning to befriend what is going on inside ourselves.” Bessel van der Kolk p247

“All systems – families, organizations, or nations – can operate effectively only if they have clearly defined and competent leadership.” Bessel van der Kolk P339

“If, as a therapist, teacher, or mentor, you try to fill the holes of early deprivation, you come up against the fact that you are the wrong person, at the wrong time, in the wrong place.” Bessel van der Kolk p343

“The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.” William James p355

“Trauma causes people to remain stuck in interpreting the present in light of an unchanging past.” Bessel van der Kolk p366

“Fear destroys curiosity and playfulness.” Bessel van der Kolk p421

“More than anything else, being able to feel safe with other people defines mental health; safe connections are fundamental to meaningful and satisfying lives.” Bessel van der Kolk p423

Read this book if…

I can see why this book comes highly recommended; it is both highly insightful and practical.

I would recommend ‘The Body Keeps the Score’ to most people to help them understand the links between how our brains experience difficulties and our mental, emotional, and sometimes physical responses to those challenges.

If you have experienced significant trauma, this book would help you understand how your brain works in response to this and the steps to take for recovery; however, I would suggest that you process this in tandem with personal counselling, as it can be a heavy read.

Thank you very much for reading. If you found this encouraging and helpful, please share it with friends and followers. Let me know in the comments if you’ve read ‘The Body Keeps the Score’ and what stood out to you from it, Dan :)

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