This book compiles, for the first time, Stephen W. Porges’s decades of research. A leading expert in developmental psychophysiology and developmental behavioral neuroscience, Porges is the mind behind the groundbreaking Polyvagal Theory, which has startling implications for the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, and autism. Adopted by clinicians around the world, the Polyvagal Theory has provided exciting new insights into the way our autonomic nervous system unconsciously mediates social engagement, trust, and intimacy.
This is what amazon says. I like this book because it explains nocioception. How our brainstem regulates ourselves. It discriminates the vagus nerve into an old reptilian system and a newer system divided into two parts that will allow the fight or flight versus when calm social engagement. Many very traumatized people cannot really engage socially. This book is a neuroscience book indeed but it helps anyone who really wants to UNDERSTAND WHAT TO HECK IS WRONG WITH ME??? It is great from a science perspective. It helped me understand a lot. In fact I think I will read it again in the next couple of weeks.
Here is a link to a little info about the polyvagal theory if you are interested. I think for professionals who treat traumatized people, understanding a bit about the brain physiology (especially the brainstem where most of this stuff is coming from is useful)