Newmag Presents “The Body Keeps the Score” - A New York Times Bestseller by Renowned Psychologist Bessel van der Kolk

This internationally acclaimed work explores how trauma leaves lasting, invisible imprints on the brain and body. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a world-renowned psychiatrist and trauma expert, presents cutting-edge research and innovative therapeutic approaches to understanding and overcoming psychological wounds.

Drawing from decades of clinical experience, neuroscience, and real-life case studies, van der Kolk explains how trauma alters brain function, triggers chronic stress responses, and reshapes emotions, behavior, and relationships. He reveals that trauma is not just a psychological burden but a biological reality, physically encoded in the nervous system.

According to van der Kolk, traumatic memories do not fade like ordinary recollections. Instead, they remain deeply embedded in the body’s alarm system, constantly keeping the nervous system on high alert. This heightened state can lead to overwhelming emotions, physical distress, and impulsive or aggressive behavior.

“Long after painful events, memories of them can resurface, flooding the body with stress hormones. This triggers intense emotions, real physical sensations, and an ongoing cycle of fear and distress,” he explains.

But healing is possible. “The Body Keeps the Score” introduces transformative therapies, such as mindfulness, EMDR, yoga, and neurofeedback, that help people reclaim control over their lives and restore inner balance. Through scientific insights and compassionate storytelling, the book provides a path to recovery for trauma survivors and those who support them.

Newmag, in collaboration with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, will host a two-day conference on March 27–28 at the Holiday Inn Yerevan. As part of the event, the official presentation of “The Body Keeps the Score” will take place on March 27 at 6:00 PM.