News Can Ptsd And Post Traumatic Growth Coexist?

[intothelight]

Conflict, trauma, and the pain of the human condition have been themes throughout man's history and tradition, both oral and written. Time and time again we read or have been told of great suffering out of which can come a great good.

I have been reading a lot about the study of Post Traumatic Growth and there are some interesting results in these studies. The majority of people after experiencing a trauma (not necessarily repeated trauma) suffer a period of anxiety, depression, anger, etc., but after a time they experience a positive personal gain/growth from the experience.

All of us here, whether we are a sufferer or a supporter, have seen the negative aspects of trauma as it has resulted in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. But at the same time, even in the midst of the chaos this disorder seems to bring to the lives and emotions of those who suffer from it, I also see great insight, compassion, a spirit of acceptance of others etc. The one thing I do not see, until people start to recover, is the same views of ourselves.

Key personality traits of resilience, hardiness, optimism, and a sense of coherence seem to be very influential in the ability of a person to experience post traumatic growth. Actually, when looking at many of the members here and their lives, we have overcome and achieved many amazing results in spite of horrible odds.

One major factor in identified in Post Traumatic Growth was the ability of an individual to cognitively process the intense emotions associated with the traumatic event. So I am wondering, can people with PTSD experience Post Traumatic Growth as they heal?

 

[NarcSis]

It was my understanding that this is what PTG was, it is healing. The way it was explained to me at first, I was waiting for that one day when my eyes would just open, my heart would be lighter and i'd be 'healed'.

Now I realize that as I am healing, I am also growing, I am seeing things differently, accepting myself more and changing the way I am looking at the world around me. I am growing as a person WHILE I continue to heal.

It is growth after all and growth occurs over time.

 

[maddog]

Absolutely, I believe this is both possible, and even quite common, just as you've outlined in your observations of people on this forum. I frequently think that the only positive out of all of this is the change that has taken, and continues to take place, concerning my perspective on the world. I think that in general, those who have known suffering also come to know greater compassion and empathy, and simultaneously to experience less judgment, ostracism and prejudice of others. On a personal note, as someone with a physical disability that pre-dated my PTSD, I have received more simple acceptance and less awkwardness and rejection on this forum than I have in almost any other aspect of my life, and I think that speaks volumes about the ability of those here to tolerate and embrace difference and to look beyond the surface to the real meaning of humanity and the real value of humans.

I believe that those who have seen the darkest side of life tend to recognize and celebrate the brighter side, often in its simplest and purest form - I doubt I used to love to watch the sun rise before I found myself awake and doing it each and every day due to insomnia.

Of course there are exceptions, and as so wisely stated, the ability to recognize good and perspective in ourselves often lags far behind our enhanced worldly view. But for all that I would gladly swap about PTSD, I wouldn't swap its enormously humbling, equalising effect on myself and on humans as a whole, or the appreciation it has given me for simple peace and contentment which can be so rare, yet ever more precious.

Maddog

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I believe that new growth develops out of the deep woundedness. I believe that insights pour forth out of the suffering and enduring of long episodes of pain. We are each on a quest seeking our our own personal truth and there we discover many new gifts and talents. I believe there are alot of treasures to come out of our long ordeal with tragedy. I believe it is on ongoing process the rest of our lives.

 

[anthony]

One major factor in identified in Post Traumatic Growth was the ability of an individual to cognitively process the intense emotions associated with the traumatic event. So I am wondering, can people with PTSD experience Post Traumatic Growth as they heal?

This is what I had to learn in order to heal, to the point where I went and read each emotion, its definition, then compiled my own list and used it day after day to theoretically find what I was feeling, so I could understand it better... then process the emotion.

I think that hits the nail on the head about growth towards positivity from PTSD... you need to focus on the emotional substance to grow. Heal emotions and change negative to positive, you grow again as an individual.

Just my two cents on what has worked versus what hasn't. A very interesting topic.

 

[intothelight]

Many of the studies support this view when looking at individuals who experience growth from a traumatic even rather than the event leading to anxiety, depression, or perhaps PTSD. However, I don't believe that it is "all or nothing" or mutually exclusive.

Seems like the research on post traumatic growth is fairly new, as with so many other things the "negatives" seem to capture the attention rather than the "positives". But the more that I read, the more critical the cognitive processing piece becomes in the role of growth.

But to open up the "feelings" takes much courage. Sometimes I think I could sum up PTSD with one word "fear". Maybe post traumatic growth or healing from PTSD can be summed up with one word...peace.

 

[anthony]

I think the research is quite old actually... instead they've done a rebrand once again with what is already known about emotional building, self esteem, confidence, etc... which all ties into emotion identification, also old...

Same thing, different name it seems... likely due to the media that PTSD obtains, so someone decided to rebrand existing aspects and align it.

 

[intothelight]

Interest in PTSD has spurred renewed interest in what appears to be the opposite side of the coin...but is it??? The coin is still trauma.

 

[anthony]

PTSD is a market IMHO today... and people just see $$$ signs all over us who have it, trying to work out what politically correct rebranding they can devise to suck us all in.

Now it seems they're trying to market recovery by calling it Post Traumatic Growth.

 

[Meadowsweet]

I think when there is a label to be given, studies no longer see a whole person. There is no reason why a person can't have PTSD symptoms and yet be growing in other ways.

I've fought with 'issues' for many years. I was wayward, into drugs and quite ruled by a need for emotional interaction as a young woman. I left the abusive relationship I was in, gave up drugs, went to work and did what a sensible member of society does.

If I was being measured for post-traumatic growth, the transformation in my behaviour and the life choices I was making might be considered as growth. But I look back and I was numb to emotion and was doing what I 'ought' to do based on shame, not on my own needs.

When I started to open up to my emotions again, I was extremely gullible and was abused again. And my reaction again has been to try hard to better myself on the outside - I went back into education and got a degree this time.

So I'm aware that my apparant growth and 'success' is a reaction to the belief that trauma is my fault because I'm a bad person, so I try to make myself a better person in order to avoid more trauma.

So I would be concerned about a black and white approach with PTSD and PTG on opposite sides of the coin. We develop in many directions at once, so where one direction might be failing another might be growing.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Ok I'm REALLY not trying to be snarky here, but it kinda irks me that there is this new-found phenomenon where we "grow" from a traumatic experience. I mean C'MON, what person HASN'T grown from any significant life experience, be it good or bad? Seriously, I challenge you to find one. I think this stems from my annoyance at finding something positive with anything and everything in life. To me this is a big DUH DUH DUH.

No offense to anyone, more of a rambling not directed at anyone. Carry on...