Understanding Trauma Through Bessel Van Der Kolk’s Insights - The Body Keeps The Score

Introduction

Bessel Van Der Kolk is one of the world’s leading experts on the treatment of traumatic stress. In 1984, he set up one of the first clinical research centers in America dedicated to the treatment and study of trauma in adults and children. In his book The Body Keeps the Score, he draws upon 30 years of experience working with people suffering from traumatic stress, exploring how trauma is stored in the body and manifests itself. Using his vast experience, neuroscience, and various studies, he argues that healing trauma requires both a ‘body-up’ and ‘mind-down’ approach. He explains how traditional ‘talk therapies’ may need to incorporate alternative healing methods such as somatic healing, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), dance, art, yoga, and other body-based modalities to help heal the nervous system, bringing the mind and body back together to allow true healing to take place.

A Comprehensive Exploration of Trauma

The book is incredibly extensive and thorough. Dr. Van Der Kolk explains in detail the neuroscience behind how the brain functions and what happens during traumatic events. He presents complex ideas in a way that is easy to understand, using diagrams, brain scans, and real-life cases to illustrate his points. He also explains how our nervous system and vagus nerve work, connecting our brain to our organs.

Although brain imaging cannot capture the exact moment trauma occurs, it does show how patients ‘re-live’ traumatic events when discussing them in a controlled setting during a brain scan. This highlights how trauma lingers in the body and why it needs a holistic approach to healing.

Different Types of Trauma Covered

Dr. Van Der Kolk covers many different types of trauma. He begins with Vietnam veterans suffering from PTSD, detailing the devastating effects of war. Throughout the book, he revisits veterans from various wars, illustrating how trauma keeps them stuck in time, manifesting as dissociation, rage, numbing, addictions, and violence—destroying not only their lives but also the lives of their families. He also discusses cases of incest, rape, survivors of 9/11, natural disasters, and horrific accidents, showing how deeply trauma affects people from all walks of life.

The Science Behind Trauma

The book also explores how trauma leaves an imprint on the brain, how survivors function afterwards, and the neuroscience behind it. He delves into attachment theory, misdiagnosis (such as bipolar disorder and ADHD), and various therapeutic approaches including CBT, neurofeedback, and the struggle to have trauma recognised as a legitimate diagnosis.

A Balanced Approach to Therapy

While he makes a compelling case for body-based therapy, he remains fair and balanced in his discussion of other treatments. He acknowledges the role of talk therapy and prescription drugs, explaining that they can be beneficial in the right context when used alongside a more holistic approach. He thoroughly explains each therapy, leaving no need to look up unfamiliar concepts. I found the section on the nervous system particularly fascinating—it gave me a much deeper understanding of how the body and brain work together.

References and Influences

The book references many other doctors and scientists that Van Der Kolk has worked with, providing opportunities for further reading. He ties in classic therapeutic theories from figures like Sigmund Freud and Josef Breuer while also incorporating more recent work from somatic therapists such as Peter Levine and Pat Ogden.

Alternative Therapies Explored

The latter part of the book delves into body-based therapies like yoga, Feldenkrais, dance, theatre, and art, as well as the benefits of writing and neurofeedback techniques such as Alpha-Theta Training, which induces a hypnotic trance state. He also briefly discusses hypnosis and its past use in treating PTSD, expressing his belief that it may make a comeback.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the author does an incredible job of delivering a vast amount of information in a way that is easy to understand. However, this is not an easy read. The case studies are detailed, and some of the stories are deeply upsetting. The book is both moving and terrifying—it resonates because it makes clear how trauma is all around us. It made me realise that few of us go through life completely untouched by trauma. It also highlights how trauma is passed down through families and generations, how wars, disasters, drugs, and alcohol all contribute to the ongoing crisis. The widespread use of prescription drugs to numb pain is addressed, along with the issue of misdiagnosis, and, shockingly, how trauma has been ignored and denied for so long—especially in war veterans.

The Future of Trauma Awareness

Van Der Kolk argues that we are on the verge of becoming a trauma-conscious society and that advances in neuroscience have given us a better understanding of how trauma changes the brain. This can only lead to better treatment and awareness in the future.

A Must-Read for Everyone

I think this is a truly wonderful book, and I would recommend it to everyone. The more trauma-informed we are as a society, the better. This book fosters greater compassion, helping us understand not only others but also ourselves. It made me reflect on how trauma may be at the root of many societal problems—obesity, alcohol and drug addiction, and other coping mechanisms that stem from unresolved trauma. It left me feeling hopeful. Could a trauma-conscious society begin to address these issues at the root and create a better future? If people heal from their core trauma, could they stop passing it down to future generations? It really makes you think.

Emotional but Hopeful

This book is so well-written that I never felt the need to ‘Google’ anything for further explanation. By the time you finish, you have a solid understanding of trauma, the brain, the nervous system, neuroscience, and various therapeutic approaches.

It is an emotional read—at times shocking, saddening, and anger-inducing. Some stories made me cry, and I had to take breaks. The suffering of these patients is deeply upsetting, especially knowing how widespread trauma is.

However, despite its heavy subject matter, the book ultimately offers hope. While filled with painful stories, it also highlights progress, recovery, and the truly amazing work being done worldwide to help people heal.

Lastly

In my opinion, this is a must-read for any therapist, teacher, doctor, social worker, or anyone working with children and people in general. In fact, perhaps it should be required reading for world leaders—now there’s a thought!

Lora Wood