Big Think How the body keeps the score on trauma _ Bessel van der Kolk for Big Think+
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Aug 18, 2025 
Bessel van der Kolk, a renowned psychiatrist and trauma researcher, delves into the pervasive nature of trauma in society. He uncovers how trauma affects not just veterans or those in extreme situations, but many individuals and families. Van der Kolk emphasizes the importance of understanding trauma beyond traditional psychiatry, advocating for self-compassion and supportive relationships in the healing process. His insights challenge existing mental health paradigms and call for a more empathetic approach to trauma.
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Trauma Is Far More Common Than We Think
- Trauma is extremely common and often invisible in everyday life.
- Bessel van der Kolk argues most families have at least one traumatized or disturbed member.
Meeting Vietnam Veterans Changed Definitions
- Early Vietnam veterans showed persistent emotional distance and sudden explosive anger.
- Van der Kolk recounts first encounters that shaped the modern definition of PTSD.
Trauma Lodges In Body And Primitive Brain
- Trauma embeds in the body and primitive brain systems as repeated sensations and images.
- This causes automatic interpretations of danger that persist after the event ends.
