Trauma is a human experience that is often misunderstood. Some people carry the invisible scars of trauma without realizing how deeply it impacts their mental and physical well-being. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s book, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, explores this topic. He offers insights into how trauma affects our body, mind, and behaviors.
In this blog, we will break down van der Kolk’s findings, exploring what trauma is, the psychological and physiological effects it can have, and the therapies that may be beneficial. Whether you’ve personally experienced trauma or are seeking to better understand it for a loved one, this blog can provide clarity and knowledge.
What is trauma?
Trauma can be defined as a distressing or disturbing experience, and it has been linked to a myriad of negative effects throughout the lifespan. According to estimates, approximately 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Trauma doesn’t just refer to extreme events like natural disasters, violence, or serious accidents; it can also result from chronic stressors, neglect, or abuse.
In The Body Keeps the Score, van der Kolk emphasizes that trauma is not just a past event:
“Trauma is not just an event that took place sometime in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body” (van der Kolk, 2014).
Trauma can affect how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, sometimes for years or even decades. Trauma is highly individualized, and symptoms may vary widely. Common signs include:
- Nightmares or flashbacks
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory challenges
- Feeling emotionally numb
- Withdrawing from friends, family, or previously enjoyed activities
Understanding these signs can be an important step toward identifying the impact of trauma and seeking support.
The psychology behind trauma
Trauma is more than a psychological reaction; it can alter the way the brain processes information and emotions. When someone experiences trauma, the brain’s natural stress response can become overactive. This can lead to heightened anxiety, hypervigilance, or difficulty regulating emotions.
Van der Kolk highlights how trauma can affect attachment, self-perception, and interpersonal relationships. For example, children who experience trauma may struggle with trust, self-esteem, and social interactions throughout their adult lives. Psychologically, trauma can create patterns of avoidance, intrusive thoughts, and emotional dysregulation that persist long after the traumatic event.
How trauma affects the brain
Van der Kolk’s research shows how trauma can change the brain. In studies comparing individuals with and without traumatic experiences, key differences emerge:
- Amygdala: Often referred to as the brain’s “fear center,” the amygdala becomes overactive in response to trauma-related triggers.
- Broca’s area: Responsible for speech and language, Broca’s area can temporarily go offline during flashbacks, making it hard for individuals to verbalize their experiences.
- Stress hormones: Traumatized individuals tend to have prolonged stress hormone responses, meaning their bodies take longer to return to baseline after stress.
These changes can help explain why trauma can feel “stuck” in the mind, leading to stress, hypervigilance, and emotional reactivity.
How trauma affects the body
One important contribution in The Body Keeps the Score is the connection between trauma and the body. Traumatic experiences can leave lasting physiological imprints, affecting aspects like posture, muscle tension, and even chronic pain.
People who have had traumatic experiences may experience:
- Muscle tension
- Chronic pain
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Sleep disturbances
- Fatigue
- Hyperarousal
These physical symptoms reflect the body’s attempt to protect itself from perceived threats. Mind-body therapeutic approaches, such as yoga or somatic therapy, can help individuals reconnect with their bodies and regulate these stress responses.
Why does trauma affect the body?
Trauma may affect the body because the brain and body are interconnected. When the brain perceives danger, real or remembered, it can signal the body to respond with fight, flight, freeze, or fawn reactions. Over time, these physiological responses can become chronic, creating long-term health consequences.
Van der Kolk emphasizes that trauma is encoded not just in memory, but in the body’s nervous system. The body “remembers” experiences through tension, posture, and sensory responses. This is why holistic approaches to trauma recovery, which engage both mind and body, can be helpful.
Therapy for trauma
While medications can play a supportive role for some, van der Kolk advocates for therapies that engage both the mind and body for deeper healing. Some of the most effective approaches highlighted in The Body Keeps the Score include:
- Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR helps process traumatic memories without requiring verbal communication.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS): Guides individuals to explore and integrate different parts of themselves affected by trauma.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT provides structured strategies for changing negative thought patterns.
- Mind-Body Therapies: Somatic therapy, yoga, and mindfulness practices can help regulate the nervous system and release stored tension.
Van der Kolk emphasizes that the goal of trauma therapy is not just symptom relief, but helping the body and mind learn that danger has passed and that the present is safe.
Takeaway
The Body Keeps the Score can be viewed as a resource for understanding how trauma affects every aspect of our lives and how healing is possible. Trauma can leave lasting impacts on both the mind and body, influencing relationships, health, and daily functioning. But with the right support, recovery is achievable.
At findmytherapist.com, our network of licensed therapists offer evidence-based trauma therapy tailored to your needs. Begin your journey toward healing today and schedule your first appointment online.