Frank Spinelli's Blog - Posts Tagged "ptsd"
The Body Doesn't Forget
In 2013, Kensington Books published my memoir, Pee-Shy,
in which I recounted the years of sexual abuse I endured by my Scoutmaster and the long journey to bring him to justice. Throughout adulthood, I have read many books on trauma. I even contributed a chapter to Richard Gartner’s book, Understanding the Sexual Betrayal of Boys and Men: The Trauma of Sexual Abuse,
published by Routledge in 2017.
A good colleague and best friend suggested I read, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
by Bessel van der Kolk, MD, published by Penguin Publishing Group in 2014 and updated in 2022. Kolk writes that regardless of the type of abuse: sexual, violent, loss of job, loss of loved one or illness, trauma affects all of us.
We have all experienced trauma, having survived the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us contraced COVID-19. Some, like me, had it twice. Many of us lost dear friends, family and colleagues, not to mention the fear of the unknown and sheltering in place. We will never fully understand the residual trauma imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic until we have had enough distance to look back on it with any objectivity.
“In The Body Keeps the Score, Kolk uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores innovative treatments—from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga—that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity. Based on Dr. van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists, The Body Keeps the Score exposes the tremendous power of our relationships both to hurt and to heal—and offers new hope for reclaiming lives.”
Most importantly, Kolk explores the positive impact of creative outlets like dancing and writing and mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga, which can facilitate brain remodeling to stop the pain.
Early on in my healing journey, I sought the help of a therapist who encouraged me to paint as a way to heal. Later, I found writing as an outlet, and I haven’t stopped since.
in which I recounted the years of sexual abuse I endured by my Scoutmaster and the long journey to bring him to justice. Throughout adulthood, I have read many books on trauma. I even contributed a chapter to Richard Gartner’s book, Understanding the Sexual Betrayal of Boys and Men: The Trauma of Sexual Abuse,
published by Routledge in 2017.A good colleague and best friend suggested I read, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
by Bessel van der Kolk, MD, published by Penguin Publishing Group in 2014 and updated in 2022. Kolk writes that regardless of the type of abuse: sexual, violent, loss of job, loss of loved one or illness, trauma affects all of us.We have all experienced trauma, having survived the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us contraced COVID-19. Some, like me, had it twice. Many of us lost dear friends, family and colleagues, not to mention the fear of the unknown and sheltering in place. We will never fully understand the residual trauma imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic until we have had enough distance to look back on it with any objectivity.
“In The Body Keeps the Score, Kolk uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores innovative treatments—from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga—that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity. Based on Dr. van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists, The Body Keeps the Score exposes the tremendous power of our relationships both to hurt and to heal—and offers new hope for reclaiming lives.”
Most importantly, Kolk explores the positive impact of creative outlets like dancing and writing and mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga, which can facilitate brain remodeling to stop the pain.
Early on in my healing journey, I sought the help of a therapist who encouraged me to paint as a way to heal. Later, I found writing as an outlet, and I haven’t stopped since.
