The Body Keeps the Score is a groundbreaking book written by Bessel van der Kolk, a renowned psychiatrist and trauma expert. In this book, van der Kolk explores the profound impact of trauma on the human body and mind, offering valuable insights into the treatment and healing of trauma. The book has gained widespread acclaim for its comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing trauma.
Read these quotes from The Body Keeps the Score
1. “Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.” – Bessel van der Kolk
2. “Our brains are sculpted by our early experiences. Maltreatment is a chisel that shapes a brain to contend with strife, but at the cost of deep, enduring wounds.” – Bessel van der Kolk
3. “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.” – Bessel van der Kolk
4. “People are often afraid to delve into their trauma because they fear it will overwhelm them. However, the greater risk is to choose to live in a state of numbness and denial.” – Bessel van der Kolk
5. “The challenge of recovery is to reestablish ownership of your body and your mind – of yourself.” – Bessel van der Kolk
6. “The body keeps the score, and it always wins. It keeps the score through illness, through pain, through nightmares, through flashbacks, through sleep disturbances.” – Bessel van der Kolk
7. “Traumatized people chronically feel unsafe inside their bodies: The past is alive in the form of gnawing interior discomfort.” – Bessel van der Kolk
8. “One does not have to be a combat soldier, or visit a refugee camp in Syria or the Congo to encounter trauma. It exists everywhere.” – Bessel van der Kolk
9. “People with developmental trauma often have difficulty experiencing pleasure, and they frequently resort to self-soothing with high-risk behaviors.” – Bessel van der Kolk
10. “Our capacity to destroy one another is matched by our capacity to heal one another.” – Bessel van der Kolk
11. “The essence of trauma is disconnection from ourselves.” – Bessel van der Kolk
12. “What’s the worst thing someone has ever done to you? Now imagine doing that to yourself every day.” – Bessel van der Kolk
13. “We need a greater focus on the impact of trauma and how to heal it.” – Bessel van der Kolk
14. “Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence.” – Bessel van der Kolk
15. “The body says what words cannot.” – Bessel van der Kolk
16. “The healing power of being listened to is beyond measure.” – Bessel van der Kolk
17. “Trauma is not just an event that took place in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body.” – Bessel van der Kolk
18. “In order to change, people need to become aware of their sensations and the way that their bodies interact with the world around them.” – Bessel van der Kolk
19. “The challenge of recovery is to reestablish ownership of your body and your mind – of yourself.” – Bessel van der Kolk
20. “We are fundamentally social animals who have a strong need to connect with others. If we cannot, we suffer terrible consequences.” – Bessel van der Kolk
These quotes from The Body Keeps the Score highlight the profound insights and wisdom shared by Bessel van der Kolk. They provide a glimpse into the complex nature of trauma and the importance of addressing it for healing and recovery. Whether you have experienced trauma or are interested in understanding its impact, this book offers invaluable knowledge and guidance.
