Big Think Why trauma can destroy our ability to connect with others | Bessel van der Kolk
Oct 7, 2025
Bessel van der Kolk, a renowned psychiatrist and trauma expert, dives into the lasting effects of trauma on the brain and body. He reveals how crucial support during traumatic events can shape recovery outcomes. Conventional treatments often fall short, as he discusses promising alternatives like EMDR and body-based therapies. Bessel emphasizes the role of early experiences in forming self-perception and highlights the alarming prevalence of childhood trauma, framing it as a significant public health crisis that needs urgent attention.
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Trauma Is A Response, Not The Event
- Trauma is defined by how you respond, not by the event itself.
- If you are overwhelmed and immobilized, the event becomes traumatic.
Trauma Lives In The Body
- Trauma imprints in body and behavior, altering posture, voice, and reactivity.
- These bodily changes often persist longer and more destructively than cognitive symptoms.
Trauma Is Widespread, Especially In Childhood
- Trauma is extremely common across civilian life, not just in the military.
- Many children experience physical or sexual abuse that shapes lifelong vulnerability.
