Summary of The Body Keeps the Score

In 1978, the author began working as a staff psychiatrist at the Boston Veterans Administration Clinic. On his first day, a Vietnam veteran named Tom burst into his office seeking help for his severe trauma-related symptoms. Tom had been experiencing nightmares, flashbacks, and intense anger since returning from Vietnam ten years earlier. He struggled to connect with his family and felt emotionally numb. The author realized that Tom's loyalty to his fallen comrades was preventing him from moving on with his life.

The author's own experiences growing up in postwar Holland and witnessing the effects of trauma in his father and uncle further fueled his interest in understanding how trauma affects individuals. He became determined to unravel the mysteries of trauma and its impact on the mind and brain.

Through his work at the VA clinic, the author encountered many veterans who exhibited similar symptoms of trauma. They often experienced extreme rage and engaged in violent behavior. The author also noticed similarities between their behavior and that of young children throwing temper tantrums.

Curious about the lack of literature on war neurosis at the time, the author delved into research on traumatic neuroses from World War I veterans. He discovered that traumatic stress had a physiological basis and affected not only one's mental state but also their entire body's response to trauma.

The author conducted studies with veterans to understand what pushed them over the brink into PTSD. Many shared stories of traumatic events during their service, such as witnessing their platoon being killed or wounded in combat. These experiences left them emotionally detached, haunted by nightmares, and unable to trust others.

The author also explored how trauma changes perception and imagination through Rorschach tests with veterans. Traumatized individuals often superimposed their traumatic experiences onto everyday stimuli, making it difficult for them to decipher reality from past traumas.

Recognizing that traditional psychiatric treatments were ineffective for traumatized individuals, the author started group therapy sessions for veterans where they could share their experiences and find resonance and meaning in their trauma. However, the author realized that these groups were limited in addressing the veterans' daily life issues and helping them bridge the gap between their past traumas and present lives.

In 1980, PTSD was officially recognized as a diagnosis, leading to a shift in understanding trauma and its impact on individuals. The author proposed a study on the biology of traumatic memories but faced rejection due to the lack of recognition of PTSD at the time.

The author's experiences with veterans at the VA clinic influenced his work with other patients who had experienced trauma, such as victims of child abuse and sexual assault. He discovered that trauma affects not only soldiers but also millions of individuals who experience violence or abuse.

Over the past three decades, advancements in brain imaging have provided insights into how trauma affects the brain. This understanding has guided new approaches to treating trauma by addressing both mind and body responses.

In conclusion, through his work with traumatized individuals, particularly veterans, the author has gained valuable insights into how trauma impacts one's perception, emotions, and overall well-being. These experiences have shaped his understanding of trauma and led him to develop new approaches for helping individuals recover from traumatic experiences.