The Body Keeps the Score

★★★★ | Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Psychology
Book
Author

Bessel van der Kolk

Published

October 31, 2025

The Body Keeps the Score

Key points: - The mere opportunity to escape does not necessarily make traumatised animals or people take the road to freedom - Traumatised people keep secreting large amounts of stress hormones long after the actual danger has passed - Reenactments were an unconscious attempt that they could eventually lead to mastery and resolution - For traumatised people, re-exposure to stress might provide a similar relief from anxiety as morphine - The brain is formed in a use dependent manner, describing neuroplasticity. When a circuit fires repeatedly, become a default setting - the response most likely to occur. If you feel safe and loved, your brain becomes specialized in exploration, play, and cooperation; if you are frightened and unwanted, it specializes in managing feelings of fear and abandonment.

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