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The Body Bears the Burden: Trauma, Dissociation, and Disease
Measure the neurophysiological changes associated with PTSD and whiplash!
Using the clinical model of the whiplash syndrome, this groundbreaking book describes the alterations in brain chemistry and function induced in individuals by what is known as traumatic stress or traumatization--experiencing a life-threatening event while in a state of helplessness. The Body Bears the Burden: Trauma, Dissociation, and Disease presents evidence of the resulting and relatively permanent alteration in neurophysiology, neurochemistry, and neuronal organization.
This book convincingly demonstrates that these changes create lasting effects on the emotional and physical well-being of the victim--changes correlated with many of the most common, yet poorly understood, physical complaints and diseases, including whiplash, migraines, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and other painful, difficult-to-treat conditions. Further, the causes and effects of retraumatization are explored, clarifying the reasons some patients suffer fresh trauma over relatively minor incidents while others handle major traumas more easily.
This groundbreaking volume backs up its new theory of PTSD neurophysiology with cogent theory and persuasive evidence, including:
Using the clinical model of the whiplash syndrome, this groundbreaking book describes the alterations in brain chemistry and function induced in individuals by what is known as traumatic stress or traumatization--experiencing a life-threatening event while in a state of helplessness. The Body Bears the Burden: Trauma, Dissociation, and Disease presents evidence of the resulting and relatively permanent alteration in neurophysiology, neurochemistry, and neuronal organization.
This book convincingly demonstrates that these changes create lasting effects on the emotional and physical well-being of the victim--changes correlated with many of the most common, yet poorly understood, physical complaints and diseases, including whiplash, migraines, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and other painful, difficult-to-treat conditions. Further, the causes and effects of retraumatization are explored, clarifying the reasons some patients suffer fresh trauma over relatively minor incidents while others handle major traumas more easily.
This groundbreaking volume backs up its new theory of PTSD neurophysiology with cogent theory and persuasive evidence, including:
250 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 4, 2013
Robert Scaer is a neurologist who has worked in the field of whiplash injury and postconcussive syndrome. He has crossed over to develop expertise in mental health through his work as he became aware that much of the long term disability related to this clinical area is mental health related and often related to a history of early life trauma.
Scaer digs deep into current findings in neurodevelopment and the neuroscience of trauma and dissociation in this tour de force work, clarifying the effects of trauma on body and mind. At the heart of this understanding is the effect of trauma on implicit learning and somatic muscular patterns that are often lifelong, or become reactivated after relatively minor triggers. Scaer clarifies the effects of trauma on language and its tendency to inhibit speech areas of the brain and the long term patterns of dissociation and somatization that tend to be underidentified. Scaer sees post traumatic stress disorder as the "tip of the iceberg" as to the mental health implications of trauma. Scaer describes some of our more recent understandings of the vulnerability of the fetus and newborn to traumatic stress. He also clarifies some of the more mysterious somatic therapies that we are only just beginning to understand, such as EMDR and somatic experiencing therapy. He is clear about the limitations of cognitively centred therapies in the treatment of these conditions.
A masterful work in a very challenging and poorly understood field. Highly recommended.
Scaer digs deep into current findings in neurodevelopment and the neuroscience of trauma and dissociation in this tour de force work, clarifying the effects of trauma on body and mind. At the heart of this understanding is the effect of trauma on implicit learning and somatic muscular patterns that are often lifelong, or become reactivated after relatively minor triggers. Scaer clarifies the effects of trauma on language and its tendency to inhibit speech areas of the brain and the long term patterns of dissociation and somatization that tend to be underidentified. Scaer sees post traumatic stress disorder as the "tip of the iceberg" as to the mental health implications of trauma. Scaer describes some of our more recent understandings of the vulnerability of the fetus and newborn to traumatic stress. He also clarifies some of the more mysterious somatic therapies that we are only just beginning to understand, such as EMDR and somatic experiencing therapy. He is clear about the limitations of cognitively centred therapies in the treatment of these conditions.
A masterful work in a very challenging and poorly understood field. Highly recommended.
April 29, 2022
I think this author is onto something really important. While this book isn't the most accessible book in the world (lots of academic jargon and complex scientific language), I am very curious to see more research and study in the field of trauma and how we heal from it. I think it's going to be one of the most important jobs of my generation.
If you have the inclination and work with traumatized people at all (or are a person dealing with a lot of trauma), this and other texts on trauma science are necessary reading.
If you have the inclination and work with traumatized people at all (or are a person dealing with a lot of trauma), this and other texts on trauma science are necessary reading.
October 4, 2011
dense at times, but worth it. i started viewing everyone as a walking trauma history. in some weird way it gives me a sense of compassion for people/behavior i otherwise wouldn't think twice about as anything other than inexcusable.
this means big things for humans. i'm sure it won't reach the masses for another ten years, probably. but who knows! spread the word- we could definitely use the call for allopathic and holistic synthesis.
October 31, 2014
This book is filled with fascinating information about whiplash syndrome. It uses a lot of medical terms so be prepared for that. It sheds light on the possible causes of chronic pain conditions after what seemed at the time like minor injuries. It also delves into the broad range of causes and treatments for PTSD.
April 5, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is written for those with some understanding of medicine and how the physiology works, but it completely explains how, based on all the new science of the past couple of decades, how trauma works, and why it causes the issues it causes. The book actually makes sense out of PTSD.
May 9, 2018
I didn't get very far into this book, so I can't give a full review. It was too heavy reading for me because of the many technical terms and fairly convoluted treatment of the subject. But the points I managed to glean from it were interesting. I might pick it up another time when I'm really ready for a difficult read.
June 7, 2010
Eye-opening study on what trauma does to the physical self
May 30, 2012
Trauma from a Neurologist's perspective - pretty much my clinical world! Very thorough review of the ways PTSD effects the body. Every therapist and physician should read this.
March 29, 2014
This book a little hard to undestand, but totally worth it
October 8, 2017
I much prefer his book, The Trauma Spectrum
August 17, 2023
This title goes into quite some detail about the processes and reactions that can happen in body and mind due to trauma. Robert Scaer is very detailed about car accidents and the whiplash syndrome that can happen as a result. From there, he applies what he found in his research of trauma as a result of whiplash and applies it to other traumatic experiences to show the parallels and identical reactions people have as a result of different kinds of trauma. So, basically he establishes a pattern showing that many PTSD reactions we show are the same, even though the reason behind our trauma might differ. He deals with the role of dissociation and somatic sensations in this context, and according to him these are not merely imagined or exaggerated symptoms a PTSD victim might show. Instead, these symptoms are based on real physiological changes due to traumatic experience.
This book is probably most interesting for professionals who specialize in trauma treatment. I very much liked the scientific approach and development of a new model of trauma based on data. The matter-of-fact tone and the presentation of the facts and Scaer’s conclusions are to the point, footnotes with sources are given, and even though his model of trauma might be revised or expanded by others, it is definitely a title that can help in the treatment of trauma.
5 out of 5 stars.
This book is probably most interesting for professionals who specialize in trauma treatment. I very much liked the scientific approach and development of a new model of trauma based on data. The matter-of-fact tone and the presentation of the facts and Scaer’s conclusions are to the point, footnotes with sources are given, and even though his model of trauma might be revised or expanded by others, it is definitely a title that can help in the treatment of trauma.
5 out of 5 stars.
May 30, 2021
The Body Bears the Burden is easy to read, clearly explained, and enlightening. The author provides patient examples, case studies, and a good deal of detail of how traumatized patients may react differently to pain and body triggers compared to patients without significant childhood trauma.
It speaks to how some patients are dealing with unidentified PTSD (from trauma, abuse or some other fear causing a freeze/shock response) affecting the body's ability to heal and turn off the fear/pain? that makes them more susceptible to certain types of ailments. An interesting theory that warrants further investigation.
The author covers connections between MVA patients and those with illnesses like Chronic Pain, Anxiety, Cognitive impairments, back pain, and/or Depression. This book has many layers and it is a quick read. Yet, I suggest that if you are a pain patient, take the time to receive the message and the knowledge.
It speaks to how some patients are dealing with unidentified PTSD (from trauma, abuse or some other fear causing a freeze/shock response) affecting the body's ability to heal and turn off the fear/pain? that makes them more susceptible to certain types of ailments. An interesting theory that warrants further investigation.
The author covers connections between MVA patients and those with illnesses like Chronic Pain, Anxiety, Cognitive impairments, back pain, and/or Depression. This book has many layers and it is a quick read. Yet, I suggest that if you are a pain patient, take the time to receive the message and the knowledge.
September 22, 2022
Full of interesting conclusions (and questions to ponder), but the writing was a bit more clunky than necessary which makes the book a slow read compared to others of its size. At times I considered just Googling a summary instead. But it's still worth reading because the case studies help illustrate the writer's conclusions in a way a summary couldn't.
March 31, 2024
Great insight about trauma and dissociation; however, the chapter on trauma treatment had some inaccuracies and misconceptions typical of medical doctors speaking about a discipline they are not too versed in.
One would expect that being a third edition, those inaccuracies would have been corrected. Don't get me wrong, I devoured the book, though.
One would expect that being a third edition, those inaccuracies would have been corrected. Don't get me wrong, I devoured the book, though.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews