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Bessel van der Kolk Quotes

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Bessel van der Kolk is a renowned psychologist and author specializing in the study and treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). His work has had a profound impact on understanding the psychological effects of trauma and how to effectively treat trauma survivors.

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Famous Bessel van der Kolk Quotes

“While reliving trauma is dramatic, frightening, and potentially self-destructive, over time a lack of presence can be even more damaging. This is a particular problem with traumatized children. The acting-out kids tend to get attention; the blanked-out ones don’t bother anybody and are left to lose their future bit by bit.”

Children Psychology Trauma Dissociation Child Psychology Fight Or Flight Child Trauma

Book:The Body Keeps the Score / Trauma and Recovery / Hidden Healing Powers

Source: The Body Keeps the Score / Trauma and Recovery / Hidden Healing Powers

“Psychiatric medications have a serious downside, as they may deflect attention from dealing with the underlying issues.”

Psychology Depression Ptsd Psychiatry

Book:The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Source: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

“Trauma results in a fundamental reorganization of the way mind and brain manage perceptions. It changes not only how we think and what we think about, but also our very capacity to think. We have discovered that helping victims of trauma find the words to describe what has happened to them is profoundly meaningful, but usually it is not enough. The act of telling the story doesn't necessarily alter the automatic physical and hormonal responses of bodies that remain hypervigilant, prepared to be assaulted or violated at any time. For real change to take place, the body needs to learn that the danger has passed and to live in the reality of the present.”

Psychology Violence Trauma Ptsd

Book:The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain and Body in Transformation of Trauma / Hidden Healing Powers Of Super & Whole Foods: Plant Based Diet Proven To Prevent & Reverse Disease

Source: The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain and Body in Transformation of Trauma / Hidden Healing Powers Of Super & Whole Foods: Plant Based Diet Proven To Prevent & Reverse Disease

“If a mother cannot meet her baby’s impulses and needs, [quoting Donald Winnicott] ‘the baby learns to become the mother’s idea of what the baby is.’ Having to discount its inner sensations, and trying to adjust it its caregiver’s needs, means the child perceives that ‘something is wrong’ with the way it is. Children who lack physical attunement are vulnerable to shutting down the direct feedback from their bodies, the seat of pleasure, purpose, and direction.”

Psychology Childhood Parenting Trauma

Book:The Body Keeps the Score / Trauma and Recovery / Hidden Healing Powers

Source: The Body Keeps the Score / Trauma and Recovery / Hidden Healing Powers

“The social environment interacts with brain chemistry. Manipulating a monkey into a lower position in the dominance hierarchy made his serotonin drop, while chemically enhancing serotonin elevated the rank of former subordinates.”

Psychology Trauma Hierarchy Social Psychology Neurology Serotonin

Book:The Body Keeps the Score / Trauma and Recovery / Hidden Healing Powers

Source: The Body Keeps the Score / Trauma and Recovery / Hidden Healing Powers