What Happened to You? cover art

What Happened to You?

Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing

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What Happened to You?

By: Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Perry
Narrated by: Bruce Perry, Oprah Winfrey
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About this listen

Oprah Winfrey and renowned brain development and trauma expert, Dr Bruce Perry, discuss the impact of trauma and adverse experiences – and how healing must begin with a shift to asking 'What happened to you?' rather than 'What’s wrong with you?'.

Through wide-ranging and often deeply personal conversation, Oprah Winfrey and Dr Perry explore how what happens to us in early childhood – both good and bad – influences the people we become.

A simple change in perspective can open up a new and hopeful understanding about why we do the things we do, why we are the way we are – and provide a road map for repairing relationships, overcoming what seems insurmountable, and ultimately living better and more fulfilling lives.

Many of us experience adversity and trauma during childhood that has a lasting impact on our physical and emotional health. And as we’re beginning to understand, we are more sensitive to developmental trauma as children than we are as adults. ‘What happened to us’ in childhood is a powerful predictor of our risk for physical and mental health problems down the road, and offers scientific insights into the patterns of behaviours so many struggle to understand.

A survivor of multiple childhood challenges herself, Oprah Winfrey shares portions of her own harrowing experiences because she understands the vulnerability that comes from facing trauma at a young age.

Throughout her career, Oprah has teamed up with Dr Bruce Perry, one of the world’s leading experts on childhood trauma. He has treated thousands of children, youth, and adults and has been called on for decades to support individuals and communities following high-profile traumatic events.

Now, Oprah joins with Dr Perry to marry the power of storytelling with the science and clinical experience to better understand and overcome the effects of trauma.

Grounded in the latest brain science and brought to life through compelling narratives, What Happened to You? shines a light on a much-needed path to recovery – showing us our incredible capacity to transform after adversity.

Developmental Psychology Indigenous Creators Mental Health Mental Health Awareness Personal Development Personal Success Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Inspiring Thought-Provoking

Critic Reviews

An incredible dialogue that bares the fundamental causes of trauma, and rightly turns the question of shame on its head and back to the environment. There is so much more we need to learn and this book is the perfect guide to reframing how we can act – through research, experience and compassion – in tomorrow's world. An essential read (Dr Camilla Pang, biochemist and author of Explaining Humans)
Revealing, intimate, and educational, it’s a testament to the authors’ wish for readers to come to grips with, and let go of, the past – and to move forward into 'post-traumatic wisdom' (Leigh Haber, O Magazine)
All stars
Most relevant
Easy to listen to and great content
My greatest connection to this audio book is my own childhood abuse and trauma
I have so much more insight into why I do the things I do
My world makes more sense and I can’t thank you enough for writing this book

Everyone should read this book

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insightful, meaningful, and everything I needed to hear as a girl who is now an adult, who grew up in a world that over and over again destroyed her and never felt like home

incredible

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Wonderful book . Loved every part of it . Educational and understandable. I enjoyed the mix of Oprah and Dr . Perry’s stories from their life and also professional experience . Highly recommend reading or listening to

Beautiful novel

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Best book ever. Every single human should read this. Dr Perry is a genius. I adore Oprah. And this book is a masterpiece and OMG is helpful. Thank you 🙏

Best book ever

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Loved that Oprah is actually narrating the book. Great and helpful info on trauma. Very insightful and thought provoking. Makes me feel normal.

Great book !

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