What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us about Loss - and Healing

This book is very interesting and gives a good overview about identifying early childhood trauma.
What I am really missing in this book is the longterm perspective- what is the situation after 10-15 years - with or without treatment.

My wonderful caring school principal recommended this book to the staff as we have a population that is rather heavily burdened with poverty and other stresses. The book details the lives of several children, their histories and what Dr. Perry did to treat each child. What is incredible is the effect of poverty, neglect and abuse on the brain development. You need to read this if you work with children or parent them....

If you're interested in children or psychology you'll like this book. Very readable. It is unbelievable what situations some of these kids have been through, though. If you are a teacher or someone else who works with kids you definitely should read this book.

This is an insightful book for anyone working with youth. You do not need to be a mental health therapist to benefit from the contents as there are so many traumatized kids out there they are everywhere. Anyone working with kids has one in their reach.

It is amazing how children are written off as not impacted by traumatic events. What are we thinking?? Guess it is easier on us adults to believe this fallacy.

Read the book. You will be upset, but not sorry you took the time. You will look at children with a new perspective.

Dr. Perry is one of the foremost researchers on the effects of neglect or abuse on the brain development of children. This is a difficult topic, but Dr. Perry explains the basic principles through examples in a way that is understandable even if the reader has no background knowledge in the subject. His final chapter calls for a common sense, humane approach to meeting children's needs. Should be read by anyone with access to children.

Perry combines neuroscience and a belief in the resiliency of severely traumatized individuals to show that healing can happen in the most dire of circumstances. I recommend this book for mental health professionals, psychology students, or the lay person with an interest in psychology. Each case study is presented in a clear and interesting manner, which keeps the reader engaged. For the mental health professional, Perry's book offers a model of relating to traumatized individuals using a biosocialpsychological model that truly integrates biological understanding with attachment theory. The author provides hope to the clinician working with severely traumatized patients that changes can happen biologically through the brain's neuronal plasticity combined with consistency, therapeutic love, and human connection. Perry helps the clinician believe that even the most traumatized individuals can heal, which is helpful for the sense of hopeless that clinicians can often feel in working with this population. Perry provides a fantastic display of clinical work, compassion, and science written in an easy to digest manner. I highly recommend this book and find myself re-reading various stories that will stay with me forever.

Michelle Zody, M.A.
Clinical Psychology doctoral student

This collection of stories offers great insight into the effects of trauma and neglect on children. The treatment methods and progress they made possible offer hope to clients and practitioners alike.

I liked the attempt he made to explain trauma using science, clinical practice and his own humility. But my biggest problem was the level of assumption he made with many of the cases. I think to a degree it is necessary to be able to write about such experiences, but it is dangerous to claim complete understanding of another person's experiences or issues if you have never experienced them before. I feel he did a great job of explaining himself but assumed too much more about his patients. This isn't a tremendous criticism, I would just like to have seen a little more humility, that is all. Otherwise, a well recommended read!

This book has shed new light on behavior intervention. It is a must read for anyone working with children, whether in schools or as private citizens or therapists. The book is easy to read and is well presented. Worth every minute.

I found this book to be extremely helpful in understanding the children I serve and the framework needed to meet their needs. I recommend this book to anyone who works with people in general as their experiences frame the person they become and the decision making process they utilize in communicating to others.

Just read this on vacation and it is powerful. It added a whole new demension to my travels. I am a health educator and I do lectures and teach about the brain and this book has given me a lot of food for thought. It should be a require3d high school text book to forewarn potential parents about the consequences of neglect on babies. Dr. Perry is a man of wisdom, warmth and common sense that I would love to meet and work with.

The personal stories related in this book really affected me. The writing is very accessible, making it easy for the lay person to understand. Reading this book impressed upon me even more why love and physical affection is so important for children. I highly recommend reading this book.

If you work with children, adults, deal with someone suffering from PTSD, or have experienced trauma of your own, this is a must read book. Dr. Perry writes with compassion, hope, and weaves stories of different children with whom he has worked, with neuroscience and psychology in a way that is fascinating and enlightening. I was expecting this to be a depressing book and didn't expect to read very far, but in fact it was hopeful and enlightening despite some of the horrific experiences these children had. Even though this is a difficult topic especially with the science thrown in, this book reads easily and was difficult to put down. It's now on my must read list of non fiction books and will make an impact on your understanding of human's reaction to trauma, and how we heal.

As a parent to children adopted from foster care, Dr. Perry's perspective on the many separate facets of brain development (and how they impact behavior and learning) was eye opening and helpful. The book is carefully structured as a series of case reports, but in a way that advances his themes, repeats key points, and highlights contrasts in the outcomes for some of his patients. He sets his tone in the first chapter, relating advice from a classical (Freudian) authority figure as well as from one more founded in neuroscience. If you laugh, you'll like the rest of the book. If you think Dr. Perry is being mean, you may not. You'll notice every time he gets to relate a 20-year old story and be the guy who was right all along.

This book is a fascinating read if you just wonder what happens to kids who've been through terrible traumas, or wonder why some seem to turn out just fine. There is a chapter covering his time with the children released from the Branch Davidian compound, before and after the siege that killed most of their parents.

Having been through many hours of therapy with an attachment disordered teen, I really wish there had been a professional with Dr. Perry's background involved. Continually trying to revisit the life experience was not effective, and without a plan for addressing any underlying development issues related to the long-term trauma, there was no other point to the therapy, and therefore, little result. A reader who picks up this book in hopes of exploring their own or their children's struggles after early trauma will finally start to get answers that make sense.

Fascinating! This book sheds much light on why people may the way they are. It highlights how important childhood care and love are to the development of an individual and shows how critical parenting is to a child. We need to teach parents the importance of this, particularly those who may be in disadvantageous situations, and support them as they raise their children - easier said than done, I know.

Not being a degree'd professional I would have to say this is a little challenging to read as far as details for the way the human mind works. Sticking with it, you will find insight that helps clarify behaviors and it tugs at your heart. Very helpful information that will keep you reading and later realizing you're able to understand that everyone is fighting some sort of battle and is likely come to pass due to some sort of trauma encountered in a young life. There is always hope as long as others care enough to look beyond surface issues for the root cause.

Such a very important book. If only our political leaders would read this and be impassioned to fund the necessary social/family support systems to help heal fractured children and teach all of us how to appreciate the profound connection that nurturing and
respectful/reciprocal, consistent,caring relationships have on every human being. His case presentations clearly define how abuse and trauma interrupt brain development and may not ever be correctable. Our global society doesn't have much time to start honoring and loving our children.Thank you Dr. Perry for stimulating self reflection and insight!

This is an amazing book that every mental health counselor should read whether they work with children or not. Dr. Perry does an excellent job discussing the development of the brain, how neglect and trauma impacts the brain's development, and also ways to effectively treat children, and by extrapolation, adults.

This examination of the impact of trauma on the neurological function of the brain is solid information for both the professional and the individual wishing to gain insight on behaviors that children display which are the result of extreme trauma. I recommend this book for both professionals and individuals who are curious about the needs of children who have survived severe trauma.

The way Bruce Perry relates to children that have survived trauma is right on. The knowledge in this book about empowering those who have had the most power taken away from them. The dignity and love he shows for the children he has worked with spills over every page of this book. I so enjoyed this book that I immeadiately purchased his new book, "Born for Love: Why Empathy is Essential - and Endangered".

This is a superb book. As a psychotherapist myself I found much to learn and to relearn. There is a deep appreciation of childhood trauma and how it develops. And also a subtle, thoughtful and compassionate sense of how traumatized children can be helped. Also
the commentary about social issues and public policy are full of important insights.
First rate.

One of the best books I ever read. Very insightful. The stories told in this book are very sad but bring strong learning messages. A must read book for any adult who likes to better understand children's minds; in the case of this book, the minds of children who suffered terrible injustices.

This book is a fascinating and eye-opening first-person account of how childhood trauma can affect brain development years into the future. A must-read for anyone who works with children, and not a bad idea for new parents as well. In a market full of dry technical research and fluffy pop psychology, this book is both good science (though note that it is not scientific research, being a collection of first-person accounts) and good writing. Once you start reading, you won't be able to stop yourself from reading on to find out what happens next!

I would recommend this book to anyone who works with children. The writing itself is engaging and easy to follow. The case studies are compelling & detailed, and I came away with a much better understanding of the way trauma impacts development. It is a great read for anyone who wants to provide trauma-informed care.

This book really changed the way I think about the developing brain, as well as of the ways in which psychiatry and the clinical environment often fall short. As someone who only has a bachelor's of science in psychology, I would argue that /anyone/ who aspires to pursue the field at all --whether you focus on child psych or not-- should read this book. It is surprisingly insightful and an incredibly interesting read in general.

This book is a fascinating and eye-opening first-person account of how childhood trauma can affect brain development years into the future. A must-read for anyone who works with children, and not a bad idea for new parents as well. In a market full of dry technical research and fluffy pop psychology, this book is both good science (though note that it is not scientific research, being a collection of first-person accounts) and good writing. Once you start reading, you won't be able to stop yourself from reading on to find out what happens next!

I would recommend this book to anyone who works with children. The writing itself is engaging and easy to follow. The case studies are compelling & detailed, and I came away with a much better understanding of the way trauma impacts development. It is a great read for anyone who wants to provide trauma-informed care.

This book really changed the way I think about the developing brain, as well as of the ways in which psychiatry and the clinical environment often fall short. As someone who only has a bachelor's of science in psychology, I would argue that /anyone/ who aspires to pursue the field at all --whether you focus on child psych or not-- should read this book. It is surprisingly insightful and an incredibly interesting read in general.

Very interesting, intriguing and informative. Loved everything I learned about a child's brain development process. Explained a lot as to why some young adults still act like they are 5. Everyone could use this knowledge not only to help your children achieve a healthy mental state and be a great human being but also you may end up learning a lot about yourself and why you may do things you do.

This book is a MUST READ. Expecting and young parents and people that share time with very young children should read it. Written by a compassionate and dedicated child psychiatrist that made a difference in the lives of many traumatized children.

The book explains how the brain of a young child works and how fragil it is to it's sorroundings. How a simple bad habit or lack of stimulation on the child's brain can make an enourmous difference in the child's quality of life.

The pain and trauma caused on these children either by absolute ignorance or intended cruelty, broke my heart.
By reading about their experiences and treatment, I learned more about the human condition.

Great book! Thank you.

Dr. Perry is the premier child traumatology expert and this book is
very helpful for anyone interested in trauma and its long term effects on
children and adolescents. His thoughts about his training in child psychiatry are fascinating.

Anyone still believing all children are resilient after significant trauma will
feel differently after reading Dr. Perry's book.

Charles W. Maas, MD

This book really gave me a completely different way of conceptualizing trauma in children. Perry does a fantastic job of explaining the psychological and physiological effects of trauma on children and points out some improvements that can be made in the helping professions. He successfully synthesizes this information with accounts of past cases he has worked on.

This book is an easy read that uses basic language and concrete examples through stories of Bruce Perry's theory on the effects of trauma, abuse and neglect on the brain and development. I would recommend this book for everyone, not just professionals. As a manager of a youth group home I am encouraging all of my staff to take time to read this insightful book.

LOVE THIS BOOK!! You get great anecdotal stories as well as a lot of information on psychology and neurology and how trauma impacts the brain. I think this should be a must read for counseling students.

Very useful teaching book for developmental composition students: it's engrossing and full of fascinating information about stress hormones and how they affect the function and structure of the brain. Compelling argument for attachment parenting.

Amazing! This book is written in such a way that anyone can understand. Dr. Perry explains how the brain develops in a way that makes sense. I am raising my Grandson who suffers with RAD. I also work at an alternative high school. This book really helped me to understand how trauma affects the developing brain. I had so many ah ha moments while reading this book. Anyone working with at risk children should read this book. It will change how you approach them. I was encouraged from this book to keep going. I will read it again and again.

The brain is so interesting. Bonding is so important for so many reasons that I wasn't aware of, though I knew instinctively that it is important. If more people got involved in finding out about bonding and other developmental needs of children, the world would start becoming a better place for all. And that means parents too! i know, I've been a nanny for over 25 years!

EXCELLENT!!! Interesting and informative. Dr. Perry lays it out in understandable terms and really helps the reader to gain better understanding of the biology of trauma. Wish there were more stars to give this book.

As a licensed marriage and family therapist working with troubled youth and their families, this book helped me put their trauma experience into perspective and how it can greatly influence what is normally thought of as oppositional behavior may actually be a trauma response. The book was so good, I finished it in a day.

Very real and authentic material. I was impressed at how the author was very involved and transparent in his patients lives. He sounded like he genuinely cared about their mental health. Very refreshing to hear this kind of care in the world we live in today. I recommend this book to anyone who is considering therapy or any type of counseling. The stories are very believable.

This book is very informative. It gives clear anectdotal information as well as scientific information on how trauma can affect the brain and development.
Great read for anyone that works with youth that have experienced trauma. It offers a framework for how to better understand and treat trauma affected individuals.

I had read this before I began college and wanted to re-read it now that I am a licensed clinician. The stories are intertwined with the cognitive backing to help understand why unique children's cases happened. The book is designed for clinicians to help them understand how early trauma, abuse, and neglect have lasting impacts on children. Most clinicians will never deal with children as severe as the Branch Dividian children Perry writes of, but this will give insight and a reminder that children and teens are the way they are for a reason and can be translated to lower acuity children, adolescences, and even adults. FYI: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog is not the best story in the book in my mind.

This book is a MUST read for everyone, especially parents and professionals who work with children and families!

As a school counselor, I see the negative effects of toxic stress everyday. We need to spend much more energy on preventing this toxic stress and intervening as soon as possible, rather than looking for bigger and bigger hammers to punish the behaviors that result from exposure to toxic stress and traumatic events.

Dr. Perry provides lots of research driven and real life experience into what helps children who have experienced trauma. I found this book to be highly insightful in how we view all children and how we should work with children. I especially loved how he casually points out the infants were not built for cry it out and sleeping alone. Lots, and lots of great points!!!

I can only say that the information given in this book should be known by everyone. It explains the results of extreme emotional abuse and neglect in children starting at birth. It explains the results of abuse and neglect - how it changes the emotional development (or lack there of) of all these children. It offers insight as to how this affects society as a whole. I highly recommend this book - not just for people interested in psychology - but for everyone - especially those who already are or are planning on becoming parents.