#787 - Bessel van der Kolk - The Surprising Solutions To Heal Trauma Without Medication
May 23, 2024
01:09:40
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Psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk discusses the impact of trauma on the body, emphasizing the significance of self-compassion, sensory experiences, and mindfulness practices. He explores unconventional therapeutic modalities, the role of social connections in healing, and the importance of inducing safety for trauma recovery.
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Quick takeaways
Recognize the body's role in trauma and use self-compassion for healing.
Incorporate body-oriented techniques to address physical manifestations of trauma.
Understand the distinction between stress and trauma for proper identification and treatment.
Deep dives
Understanding Trauma and the Body
Trauma affects more than just the mind, manifesting in how the body stores memories and experiences. Recognizing the body's role in trauma and exploring methods like self-compassion to address and release it are crucial. Approaches like holistic therapy and body-oriented techniques can be effective in understanding and healing trauma.
Challenging Traditional Views on Trauma
Traditional views on trauma often overlook the body's response and focus primarily on mental aspects. The importance of considering physical manifestations of trauma is highlighted. Reevaluating existing paradigms in psychology and medicine to incorporate a more integrated approach is essential in effectively addressing trauma.
Distinguishing Trauma from Stress
Trauma fundamentally alters one's being and perception of the world, leading to lasting impacts on behavior and emotions. Understanding the distinction between stress, a normal human response, and trauma, which results in lasting changes, is critical in proper identification and treatment.
Effects of Trauma on Social Connections
Trauma not only impacts individuals internally but can also disrupt social connections, leading to feelings of isolation and mistrust. Exploring the breakdown of social bonds in traumatic experiences underscores the importance of a safe and supportive environment in healing.
Body Keeps the Score: Manifestation of Trauma
Trauma registers in the brain but is deeply experienced in the body, often leading to recurring reactive responses. Understanding how the body holds onto trauma and recognizing its continuing impact on emotions and behaviors reveals the importance of addressing both the physical and mental aspects of trauma.
Journey to Healing through Self-Compassion and Exploration
Self-compassion, rooted in acceptance and understanding of one's past experiences and responses, plays a key role in healing from trauma. By acknowledging and exploring inner emotions and narratives, individuals can navigate past traumas and move towards a path of self-discovery and growth.
Bessel van der Kolk is a psychiatrist, researcher, and an author.
Trauma is often discussed as a mental and psychological issue. But what if it affects more than just the mind? What does it mean if your body is holding onto trauma, and how might these memories manifest outside of our brains?
Expect to learn what is meant by the body keeping the score, what is wrong with the traditional way we talk about trauma, how you can learn to be more self compassionate, how trauma manifests and masks itself as illnesses, the best therapies and modalities for understanding and releasing trauma and much more...