The book The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, is a pivotal work in understanding the impact of psychological trauma on human beings. The book goes beyond the traditional view of trauma as a purely mental disorder to offer a comprehensive vision of how the body stores painful experiences.
Van der Kolk explains that trauma leaves deep imprints on the brain and nervous system, leading to complex physical and psychological symptoms. The book reviews the latest scientific research in neuroscience and psychology.
It presents a set of innovative therapeutic approaches — including yoga, meditation, and art therapy — that help individuals regain control over their bodies and minds. It is a call for a deeper understanding of the connection between body and mind in the healing process, and a window onto the human capacity to recover from the deepest psychological wounds, making it an essential reference in the medical field.