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- BN#65 - The Body Keeps Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
BN#65 - The Body Keeps Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
Agustin Cisneros
June 16, 2024
Sponsored by
Hello Everyone!
In this week’s newsletter, I am happy to share my book notes on The Body Keeps Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
Trauma breeds further trauma; hurt people hurt other people.”
📚 Book Breakdown
Topics: Non-fiction - modern science, psychology, therapy & trauma.
Length: 505 pages.
Reading experience: 4/5
💭 Personal Reflection
The first time I started to think about trauma was when I moved to a new city.
I had finally managed to move out and become fully independent.
I was nineteen years old.
Memories from that period of my life still create a strong emotional charge in me.
Reading this book made me realize that…
“Long after a traumatic experience is over, it may be reactivated at the slightest hint of danger…”
Of course, there are degrees of these traumatic experiences.
For some people, they could be major traumatic events like going to war, being raped, or physical abuse.
Regardless of the experiences, healing should be a priority.
“Trauma affects not only those who are directly exposed to it but also those around them.”
This is another reason I decided to pick up this book.
Seeing someone you love mentally tortured by their past and unable to move forward is not easy to witness.
I want to heal and improve my life, but perhaps more importantly, I want to improve the lives of those around me as a consequence of my inner work.
Inside this book, you can expect to learn about the effects of psychological trauma, abuse, and neglect.
The author shares his life’s work on trauma through research, previous experience, and expertise as the founder of the Trauma Center, where he has helped countless patients.
The book explores three main disciplines in modern science that have allowed him to discover the effects of trauma on the brain, body, and mind.
Neuroscience.
Developmental psychopathology.
Interpersonal neurobiology.
Overall, I would recommend this book if you want to learn more about trauma and how to heal.
The author is a leading expert in this field and contains extensive research and information on the topic.
I personally listen to the audiobook as it is a long read.
(A word of caution: this book contains countless stories on trauma and could be hard for some people to read and be overwhelmed by the experiences mentioned inside the book)
If that is the case, read only part five—paths to Recovery, as it discusses different treatments for healing.
There comes a time when we all need to heal from our past, but it’s not easy.
Afterall…
“It takes enormous trust and courage to allow yourself to remember.”
Hope this helps! Until next week.
- Agustin
✍️ Favourite Quotes
“If you feel safe and loved, your brain becomes specialized in exploration, play, and cooperation; if you are frightened and unwanted, it specializes in managing feelings of fear and abandonment.”
"The most important phrases in trauma therapy are “Notice that” and “What happens next?”
“If you mistake anxiety for hunger, you may eat too much. And if you can’t feel when you’re satiated, you’ll keep eating. This is why cultivating awareness is such a critical aspect of trauma recovery.”
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