Review: The Body Keeps The Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

Introduction

Do you ever wonder how your body holds on to the feelings you thought you’d forgotten

Maybe you’ve experienced stress, trauma, or anxiety in your life. But have you ever noticed how your body reacts to these emotions?

That’s what The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk is all about.

This book shows how trauma affects not just your mind but also your body. It’s not just for people who have been through huge, life-changing events, either.

Everyday stress, childhood experiences, and more can have lasting effects.

Dr. Bessel van der Kolk has been working with trauma patients for over 30 years. He knows what he’s talking about.

He brings all his experience into this book to explain how trauma doesn’t just leave emotional scars—it leaves physical ones too.

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What is Trauma?

Trauma is not just a thing of the past—it sticks with you. That’s the main point of this book.

We all face tough times, but trauma is a bit different. It leaves an imprint on your brain and your body. The book explains that trauma changes the way your brain works.

You might not realize it, but your body can store trauma for years, even decades.

Dr. van der Kolk uses real-life examples and easy-to-understand language to explain how trauma gets stuck in the brain and body.

You don’t need to be a medical expert to understand it.

That’s what makes this book so engaging.

Why Does This Matter?

Have you ever felt anxious or stressed for no clear reason? Or maybe you have body aches or fatigue that don’t seem to go away.

That’s your body talking to you. According to the book, these symptoms can be signs that your body is holding on to trauma.

The body’s nervous system reacts to trauma by going into survival mode—either fight, flight, or freeze. Over time, this can lead to chronic pain, depression, anxiety, or even PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Dr. van der Kolk explains how this happens in ways that anyone can understand, without getting too technical.

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How Trauma Affects the Brain

Dr. van der Kolk goes deep into how the brain is affected by trauma. Don’t worry—he makes it easy to understand.

One of the most interesting parts of the book is when he talks about the brain’s “fight or flight” response. When you face a threat, your brain jumps into action.

Your heart beats faster, your muscles tense up, and you’re ready to either fight back or run away.

But what happens when that response gets stuck?

That’s what trauma does. It traps your brain in that state of alertness. Over time, this can wear your body down.

How the Body Stores Trauma

Ever wondered why you might get a stomach ache when you’re stressed or why your shoulders feel tight when you’re anxious?

That’s because the body and the brain are connected.

Dr. van der Kolk explains how trauma leaves physical marks on the body. This isn’t just a theory—he backs it up with scientific research.

But don’t worry, he explains it in a way that even someone with no medical background can follow.

He talks about how trauma can lead to chronic pain, sleep problems, and even autoimmune disorders. The book explains that treating trauma isn’t just about talking it out—it’s about healing the body too.

Can Trauma Be Healed?

Yes, and that’s one of the most hopeful messages in the book.

Dr. van der Kolk shares various ways people can heal from trauma. These include therapy, mindfulness practices, yoga, and even simple breathing exercises.

What makes this book stand out is that it doesn’t just focus on traditional talk therapy. While talking about your trauma can be helpful, Dr. van der Kolk explains that healing often needs to involve the body too.

This could be through movement, breathing, or other physical activities that help release the trauma stored in the body.

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Real Stories, Real People

One of the best parts of this book is how Dr. van der Kolk uses real-life stories to illustrate his points.

You’ll read about people who’ve gone through terrible things—abuse, war, accidents—and how they’ve found ways to heal.

These stories make the book much more relatable. They show that trauma isn’t just something that happens in extreme cases—it can happen to anyone.

And just as importantly, anyone can heal from it.

The stories are written in a way that makes you feel like you’re sitting in a room with these people, hearing their experiences firsthand.

Why You Should Read This Book

Even if you don’t think you’ve experienced trauma, this book can still be helpful.

It helps you understand your own reactions to stress and difficult situations. You’ll learn how your brain and body work together, and how sometimes, they don’t work in your favor.

But beyond that, the book gives practical tips on how to start healing. You don’t need to be in therapy to benefit from the advice in this book.

Simple things like mindfulness, yoga, or even spending time in nature can make a difference.

What People Are Saying (Based on Amazon Reviews)

“The Body Keeps the Score” has over 60,000 reviews on Amazon, and it’s not hard to see why. Most people who read this book feel like it changes their understanding of trauma.

Based on few readers opinions:

1. Eye-opening and life-changing – Many readers say this book helped them connect the dots between their mental health struggles and physical symptoms. It was like a light bulb went off for them.

2. A must-read for anyone who’s been through trauma – People who have been through traumatic experiences, whether big or small, found this book incredibly helpful.

They felt validated in their experiences and learned new ways to cope.

3. Great for therapists and non-therapists alike – While the book is often recommended for therapists, many readers who aren’t in the medical field say they learned so much from it.

It’s written in a way that anyone can understand.

4. Challenging but worth it – Some readers mention that parts of the book can be hard to read, especially if you’ve experienced trauma yourself. But they say it’s worth pushing through because of the insights it offers.

5. Not just a self-help book – Many reviewers appreciate that this book is based on scientific research. It’s not just someone’s opinion—it’s backed by years of studies and real-life cases.

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The Good and the Not-So-Good

No book is perfect, and The Body Keeps the Score is no exception. Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons based on what readers are saying:

What's Good:

- Easy to Understand: Even though it deals with complex topics, the book is written in simple, everyday language.

- Backed by Science: The ideas in the book aren’t just theories—they’re supported by research.

- Practical Tips for Healing: The book offers real, actionable steps for dealing with trauma.

- Relatable Stories: The personal stories make the book feel more real and less like a textbook.

What's Not-So-Good:

- Can Be Emotionally Heavy: Some parts of the book can be tough to read, especially if you’ve experienced trauma yourself.

- Dense at Times: While most of the book is easy to follow, some readers feel that certain chapters are a bit too detailed or scientific.

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy This Book?

If you’re looking for a book that explains how your mind and body work together—and how trauma affects them both—this book is for you.

It’s not just about understanding trauma, though. It’s about learning how to heal from it. Dr. van der Kolk gives you the tools to start that healing process, whether it’s through therapy, mindfulness, or other practices.

This book isn’t just for people who have been through big, life-changing events. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed.

If you’re curious about how trauma affects the body and how you can start to heal, The Body Keeps the Score is definitely worth picking up.

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Important F.A.Qs | The Body Keeps The Score Book Review

1. What is the main point of “The Body Keeps the Score”?

The main point of the book is that trauma affects both the mind and the body. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk explains how trauma gets stored in the body and how this can lead to physical and emotional issues.

The book offers ways to heal from trauma using a combination of therapy, mindfulness, and body-focused practices.

2. Is this book only for people who have been through major trauma?

No, the book is for anyone who’s experienced stress, anxiety, or difficult times in their life. While it’s especially helpful for people who have gone through major trauma, the lessons and insights apply to everyday stress and emotions as well.

3. Is “The Body Keeps the Score” hard to understand?

Not at all. Dr. van der Kolk writes in a way that’s easy for anyone to follow. Even though the book covers some complex topics, it’s written in simple, everyday language.

4. How long does it take to read the book?

The book is around 400 pages long, but it’s written in a way that’s easy to read. Depending on your reading speed, it might take you a week or two to finish.

Many readers say they take their time with it to really absorb the information.

5. Can I use the advice in the book without going to therapy?

Yes! While therapy is always a good option for dealing with trauma, the book offers plenty of tips you can use on your own.

Mindfulness, yoga, and even breathing exercises are just some of the techniques mentioned in the book that you can start using right away.

These practices can help calm your body and mind, even without professional help.

Click here to read "The Body Keeps The Score" for Free with a 30-day FREE Trial