Your body remembers everything

In this groundbreaking book, Bessel van der Kolk, a leading researcher and one of the world’s foremost experts on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), presents a bold new model for healing from trauma. Trauma is a fact of life. Studies show that at least one in five people experience abuse, one in four grows up with addicts, and one in three couples are involved in physical violence. These experiences inevitably leave scars on the mind, emotions, and body. Sadly, trauma survivors often project their stress onto their partners and children. Dr. van der Kolk has spent over three decades working with trauma survivors, and in this book, he transforms our understanding of PTSD. He reveals how stress literally rewires the brain—specifically, the areas responsible for pleasure, social interaction, self-control, and trust—and explains the impact of innovative therapies, including neurofeedback, meditation, prayer, play, yoga, and more. He also offers proven alternatives to medication and talk therapy, providing a path to recovery and reclaiming life.