6 ways to heal trauma without medication | Bessel van der Kolk | Big Think

6 ways to heal trauma without medication, from the author of “The Body Keeps the Score,” Bessel van der Kolk

Conventional psychiatric practices tell us that if we feel bad, take this drug and it will go away. But after years of research with some of the top psychiatric practitioners in the world, we’ve found that drugs simply don’t work that well for many, and our conventional ways of healing trauma need to change.

In recent years, experts in the study of trauma have been experimenting with ‘new age’ healing mechanisms that are making massive waves for trauma patients. Some of these new healing methods include EDMR, yoga, theater and movement, neural feedback, and even psychedelics. Many of these methods have proven to be more effective than conventional pharmaceuticals.

But just like any other health regimen, what works for you might not work for your friend or neighbor. New age trauma therapy is all an experiment, and after enough experimenting, something can eventually work, healing your trauma in a unique and effective way.

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About Bessel van der Kolk:
Bessel van der Kolk is a psychiatrist noted for his research in the area of post-traumatic stress since the 1970s. His work focuses on the interaction of attachment, neurobiology, and developmental aspects of trauma’s effects on people. His major publication, Traumatic Stress: The Effects of Overwhelming Experience on Mind, Body, and Society, talks about how the role of trauma in psychiatric illness has changed over the past 20 years.

Dr. van der Kolk is past President of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University Medical School, and Medical Director of the Trauma Center at JRI in Brookline, Massachusetts. He has taught at universities and hospitals across the United States and around the world, including Europe, Africa, Russia, Australia, Israel, and China.

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Read more of our stories on healing trauma:

How to heal trauma with meaning: A case study in emotional evolution

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[donewithyourcrap]

I think a lot of people who clicked on this vid has trauma themselves. I just wanna say, from one trauma survivor to another, I'm proud of you all and sending my love. I hope you heal 💜

[freshencounter]

“Healing from trauma is an experiment.” I really appreciate that truth!

[cosmicmanifestation]

Soul medicine:
1. meditation 2. deep belly breathing 3. authentic connections 4. sunrise 5. sunset 6. being present 7. hugs 8. nature 9. love 10. act of kindness 11. phone free time 12. gratitude 13. healing 14. laughter 15. deep inner soul nourishment 16. gratitude 17. creativity

[eternalriver]

I pray everyone is not only healed from the trauma but anything lost is replaced 100 fold

[pauloperes]

Singing is helping me to let go of such deep anger towards all those years in utter despair and helplessness.

[sangeetha.m]

Sigmund Freud had said"before you diagnose with depression or low self esteem, first make sure you are not surrounded by assholes".

[BrownGeorge-pwxo]

I suffered trauma 20 years ago as a teenage. Got diagnosed with ADHD. Spent my whole life fighting ADHD. Also suffered severe depression and mental disorder. Not until my wife recommended me to psilocybin mushrooms treatment. Psilocybin treatment saved my life honestly. 8 years totally clean. Never thought I would be saying this about mushrooms.

[rozzzqween]

To whoever reading this, everything is going to be okay ❤. You’re a winner for even wanting to heal. You’re doing a great job

[creative]

1. Psychotherapy
2. EMDR
3. Yoga
4. Theatre and movement
5. Neural feedback
6. Psychedelics

[lovesanimalshatesrats]

This might sound weird but I say to myself “I am safe in a human body” and it really helps my anxiety.

[christopher-ace-azevedo]

I am a trauma survivor from both childhood and from two wars. I am currently in my clinical master of Psychology and have read his book "The Body Keeps the Score, " which is very powerful. I am hoping to give back one day from my own experiences. to everyone suffering, I can tell you this, Better days are ahead!

[Jennifer-bwku]

Psilocybin saved my life. I was addicted to heroin for 15 years and after Psilocybin treatment I will be 3 years clean in September. I have zero cravings. This is something that truly needs to be more broadly used in addiction treatment.

[Godisgreat-]

“Medications” nearly killed me. They are also the reason I remained sick and unhealed into my 40’s. I am off of all “medications” that I now consider to be nothing but poison. I have been doing EMDR, acupuncture, massage, complete diet change and exercise to heal my mind, body and spirit. I finally feel free from the bondage of C-PTSD. I’m going to finally be ok. I also couldn’t have survived all I did without my higher power. There is hope and healing without the need of pharmaceuticals or self medicating. I also have over 14 years of sobriety from my alcoholism and I was also able to quit smoking cigarettes. Please never give up. The healing process is actually quite horrible but it’s supposed to be in order to heal. No one ever was honest with me about the extreme pain I would endure during the healing process. I would cry so hard, that I know I sounded like a dying animal. I scared people off to the point I had to heal completely alone. My own mother even turned her back on me. We live in a world where we are not allowed to react to life’s traumas with human emotions. It does get better. The pain must come to the surface, so it can be released once and for all. Please never ever give up. Keep fighting for yourself... you’re worth it!! I hope and pray everyone here who is suffering finally heals!! ❤️🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼

[JMRSix]

I ran when I was diagnosed with depression. I don't necessarily like running, but it was very therapeutic and I could get lost in the rhythm of my steps. And I felt amazing after I finished.

[JesterIMC]

This guy wrote a book about this called The Body Keeps the Score, and it absolutely revolutionized my life. It has taught me *so much* about my mental health and the mental health of people around me. I have more empathy and compassion for myself and for other people, because I understand how trauma disrupts our lives. And finally, I have toolset to heal from my own trauma, and I am able to communicate with my therapist better, because I am making clearer and deeper connections about my actions now and what happened to me in the past.
I really really cannot recommend this book enough. It is the reason I, at age 40, have decided to go back to school to become a mental health worker.

[Petruskinhap]

I have a lot of trauma related to having a narcissistic mother and losing a child to childhood cancer. Yoga and journaling are the 2 best things I’ve ever done for myself. Life changing.
Sending love and peace to everyone in need. Healing is possible and you’re so worth it. ❤

[unionunicorn]

My heart goes out to everyone who has experienced childhood trauma. I have childhood PTSD too, so I know what it’s like. It’s especially painful to learn that once your childhood is over, once you turn 18 and you’re finally “free” from your abusers, the struggle isn’t over, but it’s only just begun. The path to healing is a long and lonely one, but it is worth the fight. Keep pushing up that mountain. Don’t give up. Know you ARE loved. You ARE worthy. You DO deserve good things in this world. You DO deserve to feel happy. I hope you find your way my friend, because remember you are never alone. In love and light. ✨

[katherineraquelle]

I've listened to music and sang most of my life due to being raised in a dysfunctional, toxic home. It helps keep me sane.

[jackolantern]

The way I dealt with my trauma was by letting go of all of the resentment I had towards my family. I was so engulfed in what I had went through because of them that it became my primary headspace. I didn’t exist in the present, and couldn’t see forward. I was in hell still trying to find closure, trying to make sense of things, to no avail and and it consumed me. I was so anxious, hyper vigilant, irritable, and insecure. And I felt like I had to be uppity and grandiose to be acknowledged by anyone.

In my family, it was just trauma and abuse that was repeating. Much of it could have been controlled but you have to remember that these generations existed before we had instant access to resources and information, and social sciences were still highly flawed and not taken so seriously. A lot of them didn’t know much of anything. They didn’t know how to parent or be healthy partners because they were never shown and couldn’t watch YouTube videos and read studies on command to figure it out. They were just winging it. And the pain that their toxic behaviors caused wasn’t wasn’t [always] deliberate, and that they’re being “punished” too. It’s not an excuse, but it is an unfortunate reality that you have to acknowledge as an adult.

Nowadays we’re still behind but we have a pretty good idea of what it takes to be a decent parent and partner. We can use that and learn from the mistakes of the people before us to move forward without allowing the cycle to repeat, or we can just dwell on the past, whine and get upset to no avail.

It’s up to you.

[squirrelcovers]

Embrace it, wallow in it, feel the pain, as soon as I stopped fighting it, was when I began to be able to heal.