The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma is a book about trauma by Bessel van der Kolk. It was published in 2014.
The author explores the effects of trauma on the mind and body and discusses various types of therapy methods that can help people heal from their experiences. These methods include neurofeedback, yoga, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
What is Trauma?
Traumatic events are anything that causes a person’s body and emotions to go into shock, distress or even fear. Examples include natural disasters, car crashes, acts of violence or abuse, and being bullied or discriminated against.
A traumatic event can happen to anyone, regardless of age or gender. It is usually a one-time occurrence, but repeated exposure to traumatic events can lead to the development of mental health conditions like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The onset of trauma symptoms is generally gradual and disappears over time as people process their emotions about the traumatic event. Some of the most common signs and symptoms that a person may experience after trauma include anxiety, resentment, irritability, insomnia, depression, nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty concentrating, feelings of helplessness, and feeling that their life has become out of control.
Some of these symptoms can be severe, and some of them can lead to other problems, such as eating disorders, substance abuse or even suicide. It is important to seek help as soon as you notice these symptoms, especially if they are interfering with your daily life.
You may be at a higher risk for developing trauma-related mental health issues if you have a history of mental illness, a family history of mental health conditions, or you have suffered a significant physical injury. This can be an especially strong risk if the trauma is related to something that happened recently or if you are prone to depression or anxiety.
If you have a history of PTSD, it can be helpful to try different techniques that help you release the energy that has been stored in your body as a result of the trauma. These techniques include EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), meditation, and yoga, among others.
A healthy lifestyle can also be helpful. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and getting enough sleep can all be beneficial to healing from trauma.
Traumatic experiences can be difficult to get over, but they don’t have to stop you living a full, satisfying and meaningful life. Many people who have a traumatic experience recover over time with the support of friends and family, or through the use of effective psychological therapy.
How Does Trauma Affect the Brain?
When we experience traumatic events, our brains have a hard time coping. This can lead to problems such as anxiety and depression. Trauma can also cause physical changes to the brain that can affect how we think, feel and act.
Fortunately, trauma can be treated and healed. There are many techniques that can be used to help a person heal and get their life back on track.
According to a recent study, traumatic experiences affect the amygdala, the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. These areas of the brain are responsible for emotional expression, problem-solving, memory, language, judgment, and executive functioning.
The amygdala is a part of the brain that regulates emotions and survival instincts. It senses a threat and reacts by sending signals to your immune system, heart rate, and breathing. When you encounter a threat, these signals can trigger the fight, flight, or freeze response, which helps you protect yourself from danger.
When a traumatic event occurs, the amygdala goes into overdrive and can trigger irrational feelings such as fear. This can make it difficult for a trauma survivor to control their fear, especially when triggered by an event that reminds them of their past trauma.
Another area of the brain affected by trauma is the hippocampus, which plays an important role in learning and memory. Studies have shown that people with PTSD are more likely to have less function in this area than people who have not been exposed to trauma. This may account for the difficulty a person with PTSD has in recalling their past experiences and the trouble they have in distinguishing between past and present memories.
The hippocampus can be improved through various treatments such as psychotherapy, neuro-linguistic programming, hypnosis, and body-mind techniques. These therapies can help a person restore their function and memory, which can also improve their mood.
How Can Trauma Be Healed?
Trauma is a term that encompasses any experience that leaves you feeling fear, helplessness, and/or isolation. These experiences don’t have to involve physical harm, but they can cause long-term psychological disturbances and even lead to a mental health diagnosis such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The good news is that trauma can be healed. It takes time, perseverance, and optimism to heal from a traumatic event or experience.
Some people find that their healing process is guided by a specific technique, such as using mindfulness meditation or doing body scans. But for others, healing comes from something else entirely.
For example, some people find that they heal best through writing or art, while others prefer to release their emotions by letting them out physically. Whatever type of healing works for you, the key is to figure out what feels right and then try it.
Another way to heal from trauma is to connect with other people who are also working on their recovery. Joining a support group can be a great way to learn new coping skills from other people who have been through similar experiences and build supportive relationships.
Volunteering can also be a wonderful way to challenge the effects of trauma. When you give back to the community, you can reduce your sense of isolation and regain your sense of power.
You’ll also be able to see the effects of your work in the lives of others, which may provide some perspective on your own situation. In addition, you can reclaim your sense of self-worth by reminding yourself of what makes you unique and the value you bring to the world.
A therapist can be very helpful in helping you through your trauma. They can offer guidance about what techniques might work for you, whether it’s EMDR or a more holistic approach like somatic Experiencing.
It’s important to note that it can take a while to heal from a traumatic experience, so do not push yourself too hard or you could backfire and relive the trauma again. It’s also important to remember that everyone’s trauma healing journey will be different, so don’t get frustrated with someone who isn’t making progress quickly.
What Can We Do About Trauma?
There are many things that can be done to help people cope with trauma. These include spending time with others, talking about the trauma and learning to accept that the experience is normal and will pass.
It’s also important to recognize that it can take a long time to heal from traumatic stress. During this time, you may feel numb and disconnected from your emotions.
Having a supportive network of friends, family, and therapists is critical in helping you to recover from trauma. But even when you have support, it’s important to accept that your healing journey will not happen quickly.
When someone you care about has experienced a traumatic event, it can be difficult to know how to help them. You might worry that they will relive the event over and over or get angry or upset. However, you can help by letting them talk about what they are going through at their own pace and by being there for them.
The most important thing is to listen and support them through this difficult time. It’s also helpful to acknowledge their feelings and avoid arguing or making them feel guilty.
You should also make sure that they are getting enough sleep. Studies show that sleep deprivation can worsen symptoms of PTSD and other traumatic stress disorders.
In addition, eating a healthy diet can be very beneficial for people who are struggling with PTSD. Replace processed, refined, and sugary foods with real food as much as possible to help improve mood.
Eating a balanced diet that is rich in protein, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats can help people to better manage traumatic stress. It can also improve their energy and outlook.
Exercise has also been shown to be beneficial in coping with traumatic stress. It helps the body to release endorphins, which are natural feel-good chemicals.
A good way to find a local exercise center is to search the Web or ask your doctor for recommendations. You can also start small and build up your routine over time.
Regardless of the type of traumatic stress that you’re experiencing, it’s important to recognize your symptoms and seek medical care if you notice them becoming worse. Your physician can prescribe medication to treat your symptoms if necessary, and you can try counseling or therapy to improve your quality of life and decrease your PTSD symptoms.
