Childhood Trauma Survivor Highlights Gratitude as a Daily Coping Strategy

A Canadian writer has outlined how a structured practice of gratitude has helped mitigate the long-term psychological impact of an extremely unstable childhood marked by addiction, abuse, and repeated housing insecurity. Jade Dorrington, who now resides in Victoria, British Columbia, described the approach in a recent first-person account aimed at readers seeking practical mental-health tools.

Background: High-Risk Upbringing and Complex PTSD

Dorrington reports scoring a maximum ten out of ten on the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) questionnaire, a clinical indicator associated with elevated risk for mental, physical, and behavioral disorders. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals with higher ACEs scores face substantially greater odds of chronic health issues and reduced life expectancy.

The writer’s early environment involved parents addicted to crack cocaine, frequent exposure to drug trafficking, and episodes of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Social-service visits were routine, and eviction notices periodically displaced the family. Food scarcity was common enough that the author, then a child, stored instant oatmeal packets to avoid hunger. The daily possibility of discovering an overdose at home generated what is now recognized as complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), a condition Dorrington continues to manage as an adult.

Initial Encounter With Gratitude

Amid this instability, small positive events became pivotal. A teacher’s encouragement, the availability of two meals in a day, or the simple fact that parents survived another night served as early focal points for appreciation. Dorrington credits those brief acknowledgments of fortune—however minor—with fostering a “survival-level” sense of thankfulness that eventually evolved into an intentional mental-health tool.

Current Circumstances and Ongoing Practice

Now living independently in a secure residence, the author notes a continued reliance on gratitude to maintain psychological balance. Everyday conveniences—clean running water, unrestricted access to food, physical mobility, and the ability to read or drive—are cited as routine reminders. While Dorrington emphasizes that gratitude does not eliminate the realities of C-PTSD or the hardship faced by others, the practice is portrayed as a stabilizing influence that can be activated when circumstances permit.

Four Practical Steps

The personal account distills the experience into four accessible recommendations intended for anyone seeking similar benefits:

1. Begin and end the day with a single moment of thanks. The writer argues that even a one-second acknowledgment upon waking can influence mood and perception for the following hours.

2. Record specific items in writing. Maintaining a physical or digital list allows users to revisit positive observations during more difficult periods, reinforcing the habit over time.

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3. Introduce creativity and humor. By recognizing playful or nostalgic sources of enjoyment—such as watching a childhood cartoon or dancing while brushing teeth—individuals may make the exercise feel less obligatory and more engaging.

4. Accept limitations on challenging days. The narrative stresses that there are periods when mental or emotional bandwidth is too limited to identify positives, and that self-criticism under those conditions is counter-productive.

Caveats and Inclusivity

Dorrington underscores that gratitude is not intended as a universal remedy or a directive to minimize legitimate pain. Survivors of sexual abuse, domestic violence, grief, or chronic illness are specifically acknowledged as groups that might find the concept inaccessible at times. The writer advises readers to approach the tactic as one option among many and to avoid judging themselves if they cannot immediately summon appreciative thoughts.

Illustrative Examples

To demonstrate practicality, the author shares three current items on a personal gratitude list: the physical ability to write, the comfort of a heated blanket, and the sight of hummingbirds outside a window. By providing concrete, modest examples, the narrative suggests that no experience is too ordinary to qualify.

Outlook

While Dorrington anticipates future episodes of trauma-related distress, the writer plans to maintain gratitude as a core element of daily life, pointing to past success in reducing anxiety and improving mood stability. The overall message positions thankfulness as an adaptable, low-cost technique that can coexist with clinical treatment or other self-care strategies.

The author encourages readers who feel able to list their own moments of gratitude, framing the invitation as a collective exercise rather than a prescriptive requirement. The piece concludes with reassurance that an inability to practice gratitude at given times does not signify personal failure or stalled recovery.