Understanding Trauma through Dr. Bessel Van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score
Dr. Bessel Van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score serves as an invaluable primer on trauma and its physical embodiment, making it an essential resource for anyone involved in trauma-focused work. As a preeminent neuroscientist, his contributions have significantly shaped our understanding of trauma as a root cause of numerous mental health issues.
Book Summary
This book provides one of the most accessible explanations of how trauma impacts the brain. Van der Kolk enhances his narrative with a wealth of case examples drawn from his extensive clinical experience, using straightforward terms like “fire alarm” to describe the primitive brain, which aids clients in grasping the effects of adverse experiences, especially those rooted in childhood abuse and neglect.
The text also chronicles Van der Kolk’s journey as a psychiatrist, researcher, and therapist, effectively mapping the evolution of the mental health field over the last three decades. Reflecting on these developments, I (Bonnie) recognize many of the shifts and their impacts from my over 40 years in practice. I share Van der Kolk’s enthusiasm for the early use of antidepressants and his critique of the reductionist approach that frames mental illness solely as a brain disease—promoting drug treatments to correct supposed chemical imbalances, a theory now largely discredited yet still pervasive in our cultural understanding of mental health.
Van der Kolk lists significant losses from this paradigm shift:
- Our inherent capacity to heal is as potent as our capacity to harm.
- Language has the power to effect change.
- We can regulate our physiology through natural means such as breathing, movement, and touch.
- Social conditions can be altered to enhance safety and well-being, enabling people to thrive.
- Detailed Insights and Reflections
Van der Kolk offers a profound critique of the DSM’s profit-driven motivations, which hindered the inclusion of Child Developmental Trauma in the DSM V, despite extensive research and strong clinical support pointing to adverse experiences as a central cause of child mental illness.
Furthermore, the book delves into the therapeutic power of recognizing and addressing trauma. Van der Kolk emphasizes the importance of action over language in connecting with those who feel powerless, trapped, or immobilized by trauma’s lasting imprint on the brain.
Beyond theoretical insights, we encounter a compassionate individual dedicated to holistic healing. Van der Kolk’s candid reflections on his mistakes and learnings, and his personal experiences with therapies like EMDR, reveal a relentless pursuit of better therapeutic approaches.
Core Sections
The Rediscovery of Trauma: This section highlights the historical understanding of trauma, revisiting foundational research that influences current practices. Van der Kolk’s early work with veterans provided pivotal insights into how trauma distorts perception, informing his later work with incest survivors and shaping his trauma-informed perspective.
This is Your Brain on Trauma: Discusses the brain’s adaptive responses to stress and the overwhelming effects of trauma. It supports the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model posited by Francine Shapiro, illustrating how trauma disrupts this natural healing process.
Concluding Thoughts
Dr. Van der Kolk’s work not only deepens our comprehension of trauma’s impacts but also encourages a compassionate, informed approach to treatment. His discussions on the limitations of conventional methods in favor of more integrated, action-based therapies provide crucial guidance for enhancing therapeutic practice.
For anyone dedicated to advancing their understanding and treatment of trauma, Van der Kolk’s reflections offer invaluable insights into both the historical context and future directions of mental health treatment. The Body Keeps the Score is highly recommended for its comprehensive and empathetic approach to understanding and healing trauma.
Bonnie Mikelson, LISW
