Understanding Conflict Antecedents: How Past Trauma Impacts Reactions

Many people hold the belief that behavior or reactions can be controlled. For a vast majority, this may be the case. For those who have experienced traumatic events, how they handle conflict may not be within their control and can seem bizarre or over the top.

Definition

• Conflict Antecedent is the theory or idea suggesting events early in life that are traumatic, disturbing or troubling cause intense reactions to conflict in adult life.

Myth

• People who don't handle problems very well do not necessarily suffer from conflict antecedent.

Fact

• People with conflict antecedent react with severe and intense emotions outside of what is considered a "normal" response.