The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk

 

“We have learned that trauma is not just an event that took place sometime in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body. This imprint has ongoing consequences for how the human organism manages to survive in the present. Trauma results in a fundamental reorganization of the way mind and brain manage perceptions. It changes not only how we think and what we think about, but also our very capacity to think.”

Trauma has a negative transformative impact on our body that for some can last a lifetime. Dr van der Kolk's book provides some hideous examples of treatments gone wrong and the impact of some truly terrible events. He looks at various ways of treating post traumatic stress disorder and reflects on the inescapable connection between mind and body. While there is a lot of guff out there in the world about wellness activities, it isn't until stress or tragedy or emotional torture begin to have a physical effect that many of us really consider what is at the root of our issues.

I found this a profoundly interesting read, at times (due to the subject matter) it was difficult and yet the prose was always engaging and clear. Unlike a dull medical treatise, this is clearly delivered by a great storyteller. The author looks at various treatments and approaches to dealing with trauma from EMDR to yoga, in an open and engaging manner. While this book won't heal your ills, it might start you on a path to locating their source and effectively dealing with it.

5 out of 5, I bet everyone who reads this googles EMDR now.