Post-Traumatic Growth: Finding meaning after trauma
What is psychological trauma?
Trauma refers to a person’s psychological response to an unexpected, distressing, or frightening event. In some cases, this response can develop into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Incidents like car accidents, cancer diagnoses, traumatic childbirths, natural disasters, and more can trigger traumatic reactions. However, trauma can also result from prolonged experiences, such as childhood neglect, abuse, or adversity. Any situation in which a person feels fearful, trapped, ashamed, humiliated, invalidated, unsafe, or helpless can lead to psychological trauma.
What is considered traumatic varies from person to person, depending on how each individual perceives and processes the distressing event.
Consequences of trauma
Following a traumatic event, an individual may experience symptoms such as:
- Nightmares
- Low self-worth
- Emotional overstimulation
- Feelings of guilt
- Difficulty in relationships
- Dysfunctional beliefs
- Withdrawal from activities
(More information on the consequences of trauma can be found here.)
Post-Traumatic Growth
Both research and clinical practice demonstrate that, despite the challenges brought on by a traumatic experience, individuals have the potential to grow through the pain of trauma. Specifically, Tedeschi and Calhoun (2004) used the term “Posttraumatic Growth” to describe the positive long-term changes that can arise when a person confronts a traumatic event.
Post-Traumatic Growth and the positive changes that follow trauma can manifest in several areas of an individual’s life, including:
- Interpersonal relationships: Following trauma, a person may better understand the importance of connecting with loved ones and recognizing who they can rely on.
- Appreciation of life: After experiencing trauma, individuals often reassess their priorities and develop a greater appreciation for things they once took for granted.
- Spiritual change: The search for answers, such as “Why did this happen to me?” can help individuals make sense of their experiences and find meaning in their suffering.
- New possibilities: Trauma can lead to a renewed appreciation for life, prompting individuals to seize or create new opportunities that bring meaning to their everyday existence.
- Personal strength: After going through a traumatic experience, an individual may gain greater confidence in their strengths and ability to cope with difficult situations (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004).
While the pain caused by trauma is undeniable, humans are driven by the need to find meaning (Frankl, 1963). The ability to discover meaning in the midst of adversity and use it as a means for psychological growth is central to the concept of Post-Traumatic Growth. Through the pain of trauma, new aspects of the self can emerge, leading to changes that ultimately contribute to living a more meaningful life.
Psychotherapy for psychological trauma
Trauma can be treated through therapeutic methods. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) are scientifically proven, effective treatments for PTSD. For more information on trauma treatment following a traumatic experience, click .
2018-2019, Elena Venizelos General Hospital – Breast Unit
Between 2018 and 2019, at the Elena Venizelos General Hospital’s Breast Unit, researching post-traumatic growth in women diagnosed with breast cancer. The study aimed to explore the factors that influence psychological development in women following the trauma of their diagnosis. This experience was one of the most enriching of my career as a mental health professional, reinforcing that growth can emerge from all aspects of life, both joyous and painful.
Resources on psychological trauma and Post-Traumatic Growth
Podcast on Post-Traumatic Growth:
Article on Post-Traumatic Growth:
Books:
- Frankl, V.E. (1963). Man’s search for meaning: an introduction to logotherapy. Beacon Press. The author discusses the process of finding meaning in life through the pain and hardship experienced as a prisoner in concentration camps.
- van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin Books. The book deals with traumatic experiences, their causes, consequences, and trauma treatment.
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