"What Happened to You?" is a book co-written by Dr. Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey, which explores a new approach to healing trauma. The book starts with the premise that instead of asking "what's wrong with you?", we should ask "what happened to you?" to better understand why people react to certain situations and how to help them move forward.
The book is written in a conversational style with Dr. Perry sharing scientific insights, and Oprah sharing personal experiences of trauma. The authors explain that trauma isn't just about extreme experiences such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, but can be the result of neglect, attachment issues, or experiences of discrimination.
The book explores various case studies to demonstrate how trauma can manifest in different ways, and how healing can be achieved through empathy, mindfulness, and understanding. Practical strategies are presented for parents, teachers, and caregivers on how to create an environment of safety, trust, and respect.
Ultimately, "What Happened to You?" is a hopeful and empowering book that offers a fresh perspective on how trauma can be addressed, and how we can all play a part in healing ourselves and others. We are reminded that we are not alone in our pain, and that by connecting and being compassionate towards each other, we can heal ourselves and create a more resilient and empathetic world.