Post traumatic growth

Post-traumatic growth never denies the devastation of the traumatic event, which needs to be processed but it shows that for some people the experience can lead to growth, where the person’s perception of what matters changes— more about love and connection, less about aspiration and success.

People who have experienced PTG may well feel that they not only survived but also grew from what they thought would break them. This transformation is known as growth.

I am not saying that it is straight forward but trauma can lead us to new beginnings. Whilst you might have heard of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, that is a mental health condition that can come on as a result of a traumatic event, that may cause flashbacks, severe anxiety or disturbing thoughts.

You might not have heard of post-traumatic growth.

Whilst trauma can cause a debilitating response in many, in some cases it can be a catalyst for positive changes and in the best cases, it might even spark growth, strength and resilience.

Post-traumatic growth happens when you’re able to transform trauma and use adversity to your advantage.

Recent studies have suggested that nearly 50 per cent of trauma survivors experience post-traumatic growth after a traumatic event.

Examples of how this could present itself are personal strength, appreciation for life, new possibilities in life, spiritual change, and relationships with others. It tends to generate a level of mindfulness and gratitude for life and the present moment and a focus on those relationships that should be prioritised, usually those that the individual feels were there for them in the difficult times.

Id love to hear from you, is this something you’ve experienced?