What Happened to You? By Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey

By Brenna Parker, Think Round Fine Arts Online, May 5, 2021

The experiences we have as young children shape our worldview and set significant paths for the future. In Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry’s book What Happened to You? they share many impactful scientific findings which translate into behavioral patterns many people find difficult in understanding. 

If you have ever wondered “Why am I like this?” or “Why can’t I stop acting this way?” you are not alone. When reviewing our own behaviors and emotions, we tend to put a lot of strain and responsibility on ourselves. It is easier to stop at the source of action and blame ourselves when we should be looking deeper into why we are the way we are. 

Intimate conversations between Oprah Winfrey and trauma specialist Dr. Bruce Perry outlines their new book which covers the impact of childhood trauma, in which their main point shifts the question from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”

In a CBS interview with Oprah and Dr. Perry, they touch more on the insights and exploration of the book. 

When asked about the extent to which everyone is affected by trauma, in one way or another, Dr. Perry pointed out:

“One of the things that we are learning more and more about is that the stress response systems we have in our body will be altered [in response to trauma]. And that pattern can be something that comes from a big event… or it can come from accumulated, small, unpredictable, uncontrollable stressors.”

He then goes onto mention that well over 40% of the population obtains a level of developmental adversity which puts them at risk

CBS Interview with Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry

Another important element covered within the book is the emphasis on trauma at a young age in making the most profound impact on one’s future. Oprah discusses how each individual creates a one-of-a-kind worldview shaped from life experiences and states that each worldview is shaped at childhood. 

“You are doing the most damage the younger your children are,” Oprah says. She then shares that the first two months of childhood are the most critical. 

This book includes personal passages from Oprah herself, learning through experience the fragility that results from suffering both trauma and adversity throughout childhood. Throughout it, Dr. Perry and Oprah put an emphasis on reviewing our own behavior as well as that of the people we surround ourselves with. The shifting of the perception of trauma can be seen within the book and serves to demonstrate an understanding of our pasts in order to create a greater, more resilient future. 

If you or anyone you know is in need of trauma recovery, Think Round Inc, a 501(c) nonprofit offers a free health and wellness trauma incident reduction program called Turning the Tide of Trauma. This program gives one the opportunity to join its innovative community, take part in facilitator training, and for interested students, leadership classes teaching inner skills. Contact info@thinkround.org or see Turning the Tide of Trauma for more information. 

Brenna Parker is Digital Analytics and Marketer at Think Round Fine Arts Online.