The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Trauma and Adversity―A Transformative Guide to Understanding Childhood Trauma and Health

The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Trauma and Adversity by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris is a powerful and insightful book that shines a light on the long-lasting impact of childhood adversity. Dr. Burke Harris, a pediatrician, explores the science behind how childhood trauma affects the body and brain and the connection to physical and mental health throughout life. She offers a compelling case for early intervention and the importance of addressing trauma at its root. The book is both informative and empathetic, making complex scientific information accessible while also being deeply compassionate toward those affected by trauma. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the far-reaching effects of childhood experiences on health, and how healing can be achieved. This is a game-changer for anyone working in mental health or caregiving professions and also for anyone who has experienced trauma themselves. A thought-provoking read that emphasizes hope, healing, and resilience.

This is already one of my favorite books!! I love that the author incorporates so much voice in writing. I absolutely value and appreciate the reference of dates, of studies, of the findings, of breaking down the actual bio-science of trauma and just...all of it! I've not yet finished this book...I will be back to give a more thorough review, but suffice it to say, PHENOMENAL!

A must read! Helping me understand how trauma affects who we become and the health issues created within our bodies. Offers ways to heal the issues. Very insightful.

A must read along with The Body Keeps the Score. Dr. Burke Harris delivers a wealth of information with scientific expertise and personal candor. Her passion to educate people so that they can understand their pasts in order to control future outcomes could not be more apparent. I highly recommend this one for the practical benefit it offers in being human and raising them.

When I started reading The Deepest Well I wasn’t sure what to expect. A friend who had suffered childhood abuse suggested that I might find it enlightening. Wow, that was an understatement. I realized how many of my friends, rich and poor had high ACE scores (the book explains them) and how it had affected their health. However, it’s more than scores. The book shows how public policy has a huge effect on health when doctors integrate support-based systems around medical issues, which is why my conclusion that our “blame the poor” and “blame the victim” political polarization is doing irreparable harm to children. There is some science explained here - although the author’s simplifications make is very easy to understand. This is a book for parents, teachers, doctors, and anyone interested in helping us deal with trauma and illness. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was that, for me, it was just a bit repetitive.

I bought this book to try to figure out what I can do about my food allergy. So, first let me say that the book doesn't address how to HEAL the long-term health effects of childhood adversity. It does list and explain about ten "tools" one can use to help offset the effects. The author leaves actual healing and reversal to those who follow in her research footsteps. But I learned so much from this book!! I highly recommend it; I think everyone can get insight from it. Dr. Harris poured her heart into this book, has a great editor, and it all shines. Basically, the book teaches that bad stuff happening to you and your household during your childhood can have life-long negative health effects. There are two survey/tests in the back for the reader to assess his/her own experiences (ACE's) and whether they count toward this toxic stress rating. One test is for people under 18; the other is for people over 18, but they are still measuring what happened during childhood. She makes it clear that the adverse childhood experiences are a risk factor in and of themselves. A quote from page 18: "There is a molecular mechanism behind every natural phenomenon - you just have to look for it." Dr. Harris takes very complicated subjects - our brain, hormones, etc. - and explains them in a very understandable way. She is also an entertaining storyteller; it was hard to put the book down. My senior citizen cousin is an incredibly avid reader and also found this book to be well-researched and trustworthy. I would like to suggest - and I am not a medical professional - that the stresses (ACE's) may not need to be as severe as listed on the tests to have long-term effects on one's health. Also, I believe the child's personality/sensitivity should be factored into the equation. (FYI - There is a documentary film called Resilience about this subject, too.) The effects of toxic stress is a subject that is starting to be talked about in the medical community, schools, and other child-related environments. Dr. Harris labels toxic stress as a public health crisis hidden in plain sight. I hope it becomes much more openly addressed in the near future.

Nadine documenta y comparte un excelente labor de casos, enfermedades y el funcionamiento del sistema nervioso, endocrino e inmunológico. Este libro junto con Childhood Disrupted de Donna Jackson y The Body Keeps The Score de Bessel Van der Kolk, son los pilares del abuso infantil y sus consecuencias.

Very interesting book with breakthrough information about childhood trauma. Very informative and well written. I highly recommend it.

Un grande libro, lo consiglio a tutti coloro che cercano di capire gli effetti di trauma su tutta la vita dei bambini, e come aiutarli.

This book helped me understand the nature and source of my depression and provides a protocol for me to manage it better.

Thanks so much. Hopefully more people realize this truth and make remarkable difference to their lives. An important book to read for all.