Embracing Post-Traumatic Growth After Trauma
Have you heard the term post-traumatic growth, and did you feel it put pressure on you to recover from the trauma you suffered quicker, better, to be a better person? Did you feel like you are failing even at recovering?
But first things first, what is post-traumatic growth?
Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is a term used to describe the positive psychological changes that can occur in the wake of a traumatic event. It refers to the personal development that can come from overcoming a traumatic experience, such as increased resilience, personal strength, and a renewed appreciation for life.
It's kind of like a silver lining after a storm, where you learn from a negative experience and become stronger because of it. It’s important to note that not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will experience post-traumatic growth, but it's a very real phenomenon that can be a powerful part of the healing process.
Here are a few examples of how post-traumatic growth can manifest in people:
Developing a greater appreciation for life and the things that truly matter
Increased empathy and compassion for others
Heightened self-awareness and a stronger sense of personal identity
Improved coping skills and a better ability to handle stress and adversity
Developing a greater sense of purpose and a renewed sense of meaning in life
Again, it’s important to note that post-traumatic growth is not a "cure" for trauma, but rather a way that some people are able to find meaning and growth in the aftermath of a traumatic experience.
Therapy can be an incredibly helpful tool for those who are experiencing post-traumatic growth, or even those who are just trying to process the trauma they've experienced.
Here are some of the ways that therapy can help with post-traumatic growth:
Providing a safe and supportive space to process and heal from the trauma
Helping to identify and understand the ways that the trauma has affected one's life
Providing tools and techniques for coping with stress and anxiety
Facilitating personal growth and a greater sense of self-awareness and understanding
Helping to establish a sense of meaning and purpose in life, and to foster a greater sense of personal agency and control.
Therapy should never put pressure on someone who has experienced trauma to recover in a certain way or timeline. Everyone’s journey is unique, and recovery is not a linear process. Some people may experience post-traumatic growth relatively quickly, while others may take longer to process their experience and find meaning in it.
A good therapist will create a non-judgmental space where the person can explore their feelings and thoughts at their own pace, without the expectation that they need to "recover" in a certain way or on a certain schedule.
In the end, post-traumatic growth is not an expectation, it’s a potential outcome. It’s not the only way to process trauma or grow from it. You can make progress and find meaning in your life without experiencing post-traumatic growth. Many people go on to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives after experiencing trauma, even if they don’t experience the specific growth and change that post-traumatic growth refers to.
The important thing is to find your own path forward, at your own pace, and with the support of a compassionate and understanding therapist.
As the old adage says "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" is basically the essence of post-traumatic growth. It's not meant to downplay the severity of a traumatic experience or to suggest that the experience itself is a good thing. Rather, it's a recognition that some people are able to transform the pain and hardship of trauma into a source of personal growth and resilience. So in a sense, post-traumatic growth is the silver lining that can come from surviving a difficult situation - it's not something that everyone experiences, but for those who do, it can be incredibly powerful.
If you think you would benefit from talking about your trauma, please do not hesitate to contact me here
