Post Traumatic Growth ?

[rosey]

Any thoughts, opinions or info on the issue of post traumatic growth. Seems to be popping up a bit in the media

 

[lostforgottensoul]

if I lived through that, I can face anything”

Umm, nope, doesnt fit me.

What is PTG?

 

[rosey]

Umm, nope, doesnt fit me.

Not 100% sure i have the full picture myself but my rough understanding is that after trauma you can go through an amazing state of growth.

 

[Suzetig]

I don't think of post traumatic growth as "if I lived through that, I can survive anything". For me it's more about recognising that over time I've changed as a result of my trauma and some of that change has been positive. I have traits that I wouldn't otherwise have, am more empathic, have a better understanding of others and am more compassionate. My relationships are stronger and I'm more clear about what I want in life.

Yes I still struggle, sometimes a lot, but I do see growth. The research and theory states that a degree of post traumatic stress is needed for growth to occur - and I think that growth can take a long time and might not look lie growth necessarily. I do know for me, since I had my most recent PTSD blow up I've changed jobs, completed a post grad qualification, enrolled in a Masters programme, my marriage is deeper and my relationships with friends are much closer. It's taken a huge amount of work in therapy, but I do think PTG is a valid concept in relation to trauma, as long as no one is forced to look for growth or shamed because they feel stuck, I think it's helpful.

Steven Joseph, a British therapist, has done some fairly accessible writing on the concept.

 

[rosey]

I don't think of post traumatic growth as "if I lived through that, I can survive anything". For me it'...

@Suzetig thanks for the name drop of the therapist I shall be looking in to that.

Also I am very inspired and encourage by the changes you talk so positively about.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I mean i certianly agree we can grow but while reading the link I provided, it sounds like it growth only based on trauma. Like "if I lived through that, I can face anything”, thats not how I think even after 8 yrs of therapy but certianly not before therapy.

So, to me, PTG sounds like growth based only on trauma without therapy? Thats the way im reading that anyway.

I agree that ive changed like more empathy for people and animals but ive not had doors open for me due to the trauma but rather many closed and locked due to it, in my view.

 

[Suzetig]

That's not how I understand it, and it's certainly not been the case for me. I've been in therapy for 3 years thus time round and that growth has been very hard won but yes I do see it as stemming from my trauma but we do need to process what happened to us in some way.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

It is positive change experienced as a result of the struggle with a major life crisis or a traumatic event.

What is PTG?

Obviously we grow as a result of therapy, but I dont understand growth as result of trauma.

ETA: Obviously I could be understanding it wrong.

 

[EveHarrington]

I understand what it is but given that any adversity in life has the potential to make us grow, how is trauma any different? I'm not "growing" just because of trauma. I'm growing because it's a part of life. I guess I just don't see the point in making it a special concept separate from growth that happens from any other event in life.

 

[joeylittle]

given that any adversity in life has the potential to make us grow, how is trauma any different?

I don't think that people who research post-traumatic growth would disagree with you on this - the concept of post-traumatic growth was articulated as a way to discuss the specific kinds of growth/change that happen as a result of intense adversity (i.e., trauma).

From the link provided - this is the complete inventory of the ways post-traumatic growth can manifest.

What forms does posttraumatic growth take? Posttraumatic growth tends to occur in five general areas. Sometimes people who must face major life crises develop a sense that new opportunities have emerged from the struggle, opening up possibilities that were not present before. A second area is a change in relationships with others. Some people experience closer relationships with some specific people, and they can also experience an increased sense of connection to others who suffer. A third area of possible change is an increased sense of one’s own strength – “if I lived through that, I can face anything”. A fourth aspect of posttraumatic growth experienced by some people is a greater appreciation for life in general. The fifth area involves the spiritual or religious domain. Some individuals experience a deepening of their spiritual lives, however, this deepening can also involve a significant change in one’s belief system.

Nowhere does it say that the growth happens on its own; it's as a result of the struggle through trauma, not just a thing that happens after trauma. The implication is that it occurs after some amount of therapeutic work has taken place. It's also not specifically tied to PTSD in any way. It's just the name for the concept that adversity breeds transformation.

 

[EveHarrington]

Ok. I guess I just don't understand the concept. Maybe part of my struggle is the underlying message (in my mind) that I should then be thankful for my trauma because without it I wouldn't have achieved certain things in life.

 

[shimmerz]

My T said to me, years ago, that I wouldn't be the same person that I was longing to be after therapy, but that I would be surprised at the positive changes that would occur with therapy.

Given that, would I have preferred to have kick ass parents and live my life being the person I was meant to be without all of the abuse and kak? Absolutely. When I get through this mess (and I feel like I am close, but hey, I thought I was close 3 years ago as well), I expect that I will be seeing who I am without the self defense mechanisms that I have had to build and tear down in order to rebuild myself again.

This is a quick link (nothing about Post Traumatic Growth per se but to me it is saying the same thing), that speaks about how adverse conditions, with certain people, who have certain characteristics, can actually get to an advanced form of personality development.

If it doesn't hit the mark for you, please forgive. It is just where my head is at right now.... so I recognize that I am seeing things through this type of lens right now.

The key points of the theory of positive disintegration.