Mental Health Bookclub discussion

This book by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D. was amazing!

I read it a long time ago, so don't remember much about it other than a positive feeling. I know it helped shape my current understanding of recovery. Most important it helped me to understand why my body would react the way it would when triggered. Something I always found very upsetting and embarrassing. This book finally gave me an explanation for why my body would react the way it would. It helped me to find some compassion and understanding of myself. It helped me to release some toxic shame

This was book of the month 2018 December. Thread and additional comments can be viewed here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Chad wrote: "I initially voraciously consumed this book, but at the same time I was subject to treatment from two different people who left me confused and stuck in this bizarre state of reliving all the PTSD r..."

Hi Chad! Glad to hear your thoughts :) also glad to see you've posted in the thread for this month-- I'll be responding over there later today.

I read the book three times. The first time I was unexpectedly triggered. The second time I made it through and learned a lot about trauma. The author does a great job of making the point that our mental health effects are physical health. It’s all connected. The third time I read it I
highlighted the fact that therapy itself can trigger flashbacks. I had that experience so it was a source of validation for me. Overall, I’d say it’s a pretty good book.

Yes, awesome book!

Anyone who read, wants to read, or is interested in BKTS, I urge you to pick up Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman *instead*! Albeit more dense, it is a clearer, non-pretentious, non-self-centered, more feminist and systemic view of much of the same content (and more). I was reading both for a trauma class in grad school and was always eager to put down BKTS and to pick up Trauma and Recovery.

Jonny wrote: "Anyone who read, wants to read, or is interested in BKTS, I urge you to pick up Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman *instead*! Albeit more dense, it is a clearer, non-pretentious, non-self-centere..."

Cool, thanks for the recommendation!