Peeling Back the Layers

"Ogres are like onions."¹ This one phrase from the movie Shrek has always stuck with me, and not just because I can't stand onions. As I went through training, working with kids who have been through trauma or dealt with medical illness or other social stressors, it became even more apparent that people can be like onions as well. Different experiences can add layer upon layer, shaping how one interacts with the world. Someone might have been through experiences that have built defense mechanisms that make them seem like an ogre on the outside, when inside, they are just hiding from the traumas that they have endured. As child psychiatrists, much of our job is to help peel back these layers to better understand why the external layers exist. Why is a child refusing to do work? Is it just defiance, or a lack of motivation related to feeling depressed? Is it because they are struggling with focus due to ADHD and getting behind, so they just shut down? Building a safe space where children and adolescents can start to peel away these layers is an essential part of our jobs, and important in helping those around see and support the child moving forward.