Life is undeniably harsh, and as Bessel van der Kolk emphasizes in The Body Keeps the Score, human beings are remarkably resilient. Yet, we bear the weight of trauma in ways that are both profound and enduring. Traumatic experiences leave traces not only on our personal histories and cultures but also on our minds, emotions, and even our physical health. Trauma affects not only those who directly experience it but also the people around them, extending its influence across families and generations.
Our vulnerability to trauma is significant, but society often overlooks this reality. Experiencing trauma is hard enough, yet the difficulty is compounded when others don’t understand its impact. While most of us strive to move beyond painful events, the survival-oriented parts of our brains, which reside deep below our rational thought processes, resist denial. Long after a traumatic event has passed, these areas can be reactivated by the smallest hint of danger, releasing stress hormones and triggering intense emotional and physical responses. These post-traumatic reactions can feel overwhelming, leaving survivors with a sense of being out of control, as if they are irreparably damaged.
In this book, van der Kolk invites us to confront the reality of trauma, understand its effects, and explore effective ways to treat it. He urges society to commit to prevention and healing, using all the tools at our disposal. Van der Kolk takes readers through a journey of understanding the nuances of trauma, its impact on the body and mind, and the pathways to recovery.
Published in 2014, The Body Keeps the Score lays a foundation for understanding trauma that remains relevant and thought-provoking. The book stands alongside other significant works in the field, although it doesn’t goes deeply into topics like psychedelics, which have gained more attention in recent years as potential therapeutic tools.
If you’re looking to understand the deep impact of trauma and discover ways to heal, The Body Keeps the Score is a compelling guide. It encourages us to confront trauma with honesty and empathy, offering valuable tools for personal and collective healing.
Summary
The human brain is built from the ground up, beginning with the most primitive structures and evolving to support complex functions and emotions. At the very base is the reptilian brain, or brain stem, which governs fundamental actions like breathing, eating, and sleeping. The next layer, the limbic system, takes shape after birth and is shared with mammals. This area is crucial for emotions, survival instincts, and social interactions, evolving with our experiences and genetic temperament. Finally, the neocortex, which is especially developed in humans, is responsible for language, abstract thought, and imagination.
In a healthy brain, these layers work together to manage our perception of the world and our responses. But trauma disrupts this harmony, altering the brain’s alarm system, increasing stress hormone levels, and creating physical changes that affect how we process information. Traumatized individuals often struggle with intimacy, trust, and imagination, feeling trapped by their experiences. Trauma affects their worldview—where others might see a stranger, they may see a potential threat.
The Emotional Brain and Trauma
Trauma affects the emotional brain, creating lasting imprints that alter one’s sense of reality. For instance, intense emotions like fear activate the amygdala, the brain’s alarm center, which prepares the body for danger. However, traumatized people often experience a disconnection between their emotional and rational brains. In traumatic flashbacks, the right side of the brain (intuitive, sensory) may become overactive, while the left side (logical, verbal) shuts down, leaving them unable to organize or communicate their feelings clearly.
Imbalances in Stress and the Nervous System
For people with PTSD, the body’s stress response is often out of sync, failing to return to a calm state after perceived danger has passed. Activities that initially cause discomfort, such as running or skydiving, can create a chemical dependency similar to drug addiction. Unfortunately, while some medications can help by reducing symptoms, they may also mask underlying issues, and their overuse can be harmful—especially in children, who need emotional development to mature healthily.
The Role of Relationships and Attachment
A sense of safety and meaningful connections is critical for recovery. Healthy attachment during childhood, established through attuned caregiving, helps form a secure base from which children explore the world. In contrast, children who grow up in unsafe environments may struggle with emotional regulation. Traumatic experiences can lead to a distorted perception of social cues, making even benign interactions seem threatening.
Healing from Trauma
Recovery involves reclaiming one’s sense of self and body, which can be achieved by reconnecting with the present moment. Techniques such as mindfulness, breathwork, and yoga help calm the body, while social support plays a powerful role in healing. Activities like dance, art, and music can bypass verbal limitations and allow traumatized individuals to express emotions that words fail to capture.
Therapies aid in processing traumatic memories by helping individuals stay grounded in the present, reducing the intensity of flashbacks. Connecting with others and engaging in communal activities can restore a sense of belonging and reciprocity, which is essential for recovery.
The journey of healing from trauma involves learning to feel safe again, both in relationships and within oneself. By strengthening the connection between mind and body, individuals can regain a sense of control and resilience, gradually allowing themselves to live fully in the present.
Author: Bessel van der Kolk
Publication date: 12 June 2014
Number of pages: 464 pages
