In this engaging discussion, Bessel van Der Kolk, a leading expert on trauma and psychiatry, delves into how childhood experiences profoundly affect mental health. He shares insights on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, advocating for its effectiveness in healing trauma. Bessel also highlights the dangers of over-medication in children, emphasizing the importance of secure attachments and innovative healing methods like movement and breathwork. He sheds light on the societal impacts of technology-induced loneliness and the crucial need for genuine human connection.

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.

Dr. Bessel van der Kolk is a leading authority on trauma and the author of 'The Body Keeps the Score'. In this engaging discussion, he clarifies the distinction between trauma and stress, exploring its signs and effects on mental and physical health. Bessel shares his passion for body-oriented therapies and the transformative potential of psychedelic-assisted treatments. He emphasizes the vital role of community and human connection in healing and resilience, urging listeners to understand their pasts to unlock their fullest potential.

CAUTION: This conversation contains themes of an adult nature and references to sexual assault.My guest today is someone who I’ve been wanting to speak to for a very long time. Dr Bessel van der Kolk is a professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine and President of the Trauma Research Foundation in Massachusetts. He’s also the author of the wildly popular book, The Body Keeps the Score, a book about trauma, published in 38 languages and read by millions of people worldwide.The central philosophy behind Bessel’s work is that traumatic, psychological experiences in life leave a physical imprint within us, which can result in physical and mental health problems. We begin by talking about what exactly trauma is, how it differs from stress, and why it is important for all of us to have compassion and empathy for those affected. He explains the factors that lead to some people becoming traumatised by an experience while others aren’t. And we talk about the importance of family, support, and community when it comes to emotional resilience.We discuss the variety of different medical conditions and symptoms that may have their root in trauma, from misunderstood illnesses like fibromyalgia to mental health disorders and autoimmune disease. Often, these are the conditions where western medicine really struggles to help.Bessel has carried out years of research into trauma and studied the many modalities that can help us finally heal. Because our bodies quite literally keep the score and store the trauma, it’s often body-oriented therapies that may prove most helpful. We discuss why yoga (the union of body and mind), dancing or singing can be powerful ways to do this. Movement, he says, is the opposite of being ‘stuck’ in trauma. It’s a somatic pleasure response, an expression of life, and can put vulnerable, traumatised people back in touch with their bodies.Bessel also shares some fascinating evidence on the power of EMDR (eye movement desensitisation reprogramming), neurofeedback, and talks about his involvement in psychedelic therapy. Such is the prevalence of trauma in society that whether we have experienced it ourselves or we know people who have, it’s vital that we all learn about it and the various ways we can heal.This is a powerful and insightful conversation with one of the world’s leading authorities on trauma. I hope you enjoy listening.Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore or https://fblm.supercast.com.Thanks to our sponsors:https://www.vivobarefoot.com/livemorehttps://www.boncharge.com/livemorehttps://www.athleticgreens.com/livemoreShow notes https://drchatterjee.com/336DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

When Krista interviewed the psychiatrist and trauma specialist Bessel van der Kolk for the first time, his book The Body Keeps the Score was about to be published. She described him then as “an innovator in treating the effects of overwhelming experiences on people and society.” She catches up with him in 2021 — as we are living through one vast overwhelming experience after the other. And The Body Keeps the Score is now one of the most widely read books in the pandemic world. His perspective is utterly unique and very practically helpful — on what’s been happening in our bodies and our brains, and how that relationship can become severed and restored.Bessel van der Kolk is the founder and medical director of the Trauma Research Foundation in Brookline, Massachusetts. He’s also a professor of psychiatry at Boston University Medical School. His books include Traumatic Stress: The Effects of Overwhelming Experience on the Mind, Body, and Society and The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.

Krista interviewed the psychiatrist and trauma specialist Bessel van der Kolk for the first time in 2013, as his book The Body Keeps the Score was about to be published. He is an innovator in treating the effects of overwhelming experiences. We call this “trauma” when we encounter it in life and news, and we tend to leap to address it by talking. But Bessel van der Kolk knows how some experiences imprint themselves beyond where language can reach. He explores state-of-the-art therapeutic treatments — including body work like yoga and eye movement therapy — and shares what he and others are learning on this edge of humanity about the complexity of memory, our need for others, and how our brains take care of our bodies.Bessel van der Kolk is the founder and medical director of the Trauma Research Foundation in Brookline, Massachusetts. He’s also a professor of psychiatry at Boston University Medical School. His books include Traumatic Stress: The Effects of Overwhelming Experience on the Mind, Body, and Society and The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.This interview is edited and produced with music and other features in the On Being episode "Bessel van der Kolk – Trauma, the Body, and 2021." Find the transcript for that show at onbeing.org.This show originally aired in July 2013.

Bessel van der Kolk, renowned trauma researcher and author, talks about trauma's impact on mental and physical health. He discusses the prevalence of trauma, its effects on the brain, and the importance of recognizing and addressing traumatic experiences. He also explores the role of talk therapy in processing trauma and the challenges faced in promoting the importance of trauma awareness.

Bessel van der Kolk, a leading psychiatrist and author of "The Body Keeps the Score," dives into the complex world of trauma and its impact on both body and mind. He discusses how traditional psychiatric treatments often fall short, advocating for innovative approaches like theater therapy and body awareness. The conversation highlights the vital connection between our relationships and healing, the significance of understanding trauma's effects on the nervous system, and the potential of new therapies such as EMDR and psychedelics to transform recovery.

Join renowned physician Gabor Mate, trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk, and Internal Family Systems creator Richard Schwartz for a lively discussion on ADHD and trauma. They delve into the link between Adverse Childhood Experiences and ADHD symptoms, challenging misconceptions about the condition. The host shares personal travel anecdotes and innovative tools like the BRIC device to enhance focus. Plus, tackling listener questions about family dynamics and packing tips adds a personal touch, ensuring a rich exploration of ADHD's complexities.

Psychiatrist Dr. Bessel van der Kolk helps a shark attack survivor cope with lasting trauma on the podcast. They discuss grieving the 'old you' and embracing your new self to heal mentally and physically.