Description

The Body Keeps the Score looks at how trauma affects us. It shows its effects on the brain, body and feelings. Bessel van der Kolk asks why people relive painful events. He looks at how this stress can reach partners and children. It can also reach those born in later years. His examples include combat and sexual abuse. Others deal with violence between partners. He also looks at growing up with a parent's drinking.

This nonfiction book is for readers who want to understand trauma. It also looks at ways to treat it. It shows how trauma changes parts of the brain. These parts help us feel pleasure, trust and control. They also help us engage with the world. Van der Kolk says drugs and talking alone may not suffice. They do not always meet the needs of those who survive trauma. He seeks to help the mind and body work together.

He draws on more than thirty years of work with survivors. He uses his own research, too. He also draws on accounts from experts around the world. Stories of cases show how trauma shapes lives. They also show how treatment may help. He looks at neurofeedback as a way to heal. This method gives people feedback on their brain activity. He also looks at play, sport, drama and yoga. Other methods include mindfulness and meditation. These aim to help people manage how they react. They also aim to help people find a sense of purpose again.