We are officially in the homestretch of this messy Presidential election (thank goodness). Our two main nominees, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, are an interesting pair to watch. For the most part, I think we can all agree that they are irritating. However, after learning a little more about both of them, I have found a small ounce of empathy. Both of these nominees are actually just traumatized children.

That's right, they both endured trauma as children. Hillary has told a story of being bullied as a child and her mother told her, "there is no room for cowards in this house". Based on the fact that this memory is still so vivid for her many years later, I would dare to guess this is somewhat traumatic. Many people have reported remembering Donald Trump being a bully as a child.

There have been plenty of people who researched bullying and found many children bully due to lack of attention, neglect/abuse, or having parents under the influence of alcohol or drugs. So the saying has been found to be true, "hurt people hurt people" - meaning those with the deepest wounds tend to lash out and hurt others too.

There is also a ton of research on how trauma effects the brain. Childhood trauma does not just magically get better, even if the child seems to be functioning well. It impacts brain development and when the trauma is triggered, the same hormones are released and it can feel like a grown person is right back in that trauma the same age as when it occurred. So for example, HIllary feeling bullied by Trump can feel like she is that young girl again, even in her 60-something year old body. It seems clear to me that they both trigger the trauma response in each other because this election has been so much more cutthroat than previous elections. So when you think, gosh they are acting like children, it's because they really are. That trauma may have gotten stuck and their body is in survival mode (fight, flight, or freeze).

Now, what does this mean for us as the general public? Well, I have my own theory I am choosing to follow on my way to the polls next month. They are both traumatized people and what we see on TV - like that painfully awful debate - are their traumas being triggered. I am trying to pay more attention to one-on-one interviews that are generally not as emotionally charged. Look for the times when they are not being triggered by each other (which may be difficult in these next few weeks as the final countdown draws to a close). Make sure you, as the voter, are as informed as possible and keep in mind the reason they may act the way they do. May the odds be ever in our favor.