Bessel van der Kolk Quotes
I was often surprised by the dispassionate way patients’ symptoms were discussed and by how much time was spent on trying to manage their suicidal thoughts and self-destructive behaviors, rather than on understanding the possible causes of their despair and helplessness. I was also struck by how little attention was paid to their accomplishments and aspirations; whom they cared for, loved, or hated; what motivated and engaged them, what kept them stuck, and what made them feel at peace—the ecology of their lives.
Quotes to Explore
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Women tell me they are different since 21 May - the day I was arrested - it's a positive change, they believe now.
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The Candy Man can
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The art of drawing conclusions from experiments and observations consists in evaluating probabilities and in estimating whether they are sufficiently great or numerous enough to constitute proofs. This kind of calculation is more complicated and more difficult than it is commonly thought to be. . . .
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My mother always taught me to be strong and to never be a victim. Never make excuses. Never expect anyone else to provide for me things I know I can provide for myself.
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The day I need a television puppet or clown to tell my children what's right and what's wrong, I'll bow out as a mother.
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Survival is a growth strategy.
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The tongue should not be suffered to outrun the mind.
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Spring is the time of year when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade.
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Every day we’re given chances to embrace the new.
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I've always wanted to do a boxing movie.
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I try not to speak about all the charities and people I help, because I believe we can only be truly generous when we expect nothing in return.
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My patients are people who live on the edge of survival and beyond.
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The nucleus of the neurosis is a physioneurosis. In other words, posttraumatic stress isn’t “all in one’s head,” as some people supposed, but has a physiological basis. Kardiner understood even then that the symptoms have their origin in the entire body’s response to the original trauma.
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Keep yourself extremely busy. As long as you’re doing something you will find your path.
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I was often surprised by the dispassionate way patients’ symptoms were discussed and by how much time was spent on trying to manage their suicidal thoughts and self-destructive behaviors, rather than on understanding the possible causes of their despair and helplessness. I was also struck by how little attention was paid to their accomplishments and aspirations; whom they cared for, loved, or hated; what motivated and engaged them, what kept them stuck, and what made them feel at peace—the ecology of their lives.
