For some people, experiencing trauma leads to positive growth …

“Trauma” – just the the word alone makes many want to shudder.

“Trauma” is one of the hottest buzzwords in social media circles, as well as in both sound, responsible psychology and pop psychology. And, as is often the case, we tend to get overly general and carried away with things that are trendy.

I think we’re doing that with the topic of trauma.

A few decades ago, it was “co-dependency” that was the hot topic; the problem with that, though, was the way co-dependency was described at the time would mean that just about every human being is co-dependent.

We all aren’t.

In the same way, we’re not all traumatized … BUT, at some times in our lives, we will experience trauma to some degree. And because trauma can have a profound impact upon a life, it’s wise to understand it.

Now let’s add a however … forefront in the many discussions about trauma is how it can negatively impact a life, and sometimes for a lifetime. In fact, trauma is usually described as something that always has a negative result. What has been missing in these discussions is the other side of some trauma experiences — that is, rarely do we give any consideration to the fact that, for some people, experiencing trauma can lead to positive growth, sometimes some of the most profound positive growth experiences of their lives.

Welcome to the concept of PTG — post-traumatic growth.

PTSD V. PTG
Most of us have become familiar with the term PTSD, an abbreviation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. That’s what many begin to look for signs of when someone has experienced a traumatic episode in their lives. Trauma can have such a negative affect on a life that it leads to PTSD, which one source defines concisely like this:

“PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, causing symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and heightened anxiety.”

Post-traumatic growth, or PTG, is different, concisely described like this:

“Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) refers to the positive psychological changes and personal growth that can occur in individuals following a traumatic or challenging life event. Instead of being overwhelmed or debilitated by the trauma, some people find that they experience personal development, greater resilience, and a deeper appreciation for life as a result of their struggle. PTG often involves changes in one’s perspectives, relationships, and overall sense of self, leading to a greater sense of meaning and purpose in life. It’s important to note that not everyone who experiences trauma will necessarily undergo post-traumatic growth, but it is a potential outcome for some individuals.”

Why is it that two people can experience the exact same traumatic event but one person suffer from PTSD because of it, but the other person experience PTG? Here are some of the things that influence PTSD vs. PTG:

Resilience. Some individuals possess greater psychological resilience, allowing them to adapt and find meaning in the face of trauma, leading to post-traumatic growth. Others may have lower resilience, making them more susceptible to developing PTSD.

Social Support. Strong social support systems can promote post-traumatic growth by helping individuals process their trauma. In contrast, a lack of support or negative social interactions may contribute to the development of PTSD.

Coping Strategies. Effective coping strategies, such as seeking therapy or support, can foster post-traumatic growth. Inadequate coping mechanisms may exacerbate PTSD symptoms.

Trauma Severity. The nature and severity of the traumatic event can impact the likelihood of developing PTSD. More severe or life-threatening traumas are more likely to result in PTSD, while less severe events may lead to post-traumatic growth, but that isn’t always the case either way.

Temperament and Pre-existing Mental Health. A person’s temperament traits and pre-existing mental health conditions can influence their response to trauma. Those with a history of mental health issues may be more vulnerable to developing PTSD.

FOSTERING PTG
After a person has experienced a traumatic episode, there are actions they can take to help foster PTG and aid in reducing the risk of developing PTSD, such as:

Seek professional help. Consult with a therapist or counselor experienced in trauma to process emotions and develop strategies for responding to the experience.

Build a support network. Connect with friends, family, and your church family for emotional support.

Self-care. Prioritize physical and mental well-being through exercise, nutrition, growing self-awareness, and a healthy lifestyle.

Reframe the narrative. Shift perspective on the trauma by finding meaning, resilience, and personal growth from the experience. A competent counselor can help you with this.

Set achievable goals. Focus on personal growth and future aspirations.

Practice mindfulness. Develop awareness of thoughts and feelings to manage them effectively.

Take time. Healing is a process; be patient and kind to yourself.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES
There once was a man who lived such a righteous life before God that God boasted about him to Satan — I know, that sentence sounds wildly odd, but you can read all about Job and his troubles in the Old Testament book of Job.

And talk about a man who experienced trauma!

Job experienced severe trials and afflictions including the loss of all his property/wealth, the death of all 10 of his children, and he suffered great physical agony.

That’s severe trauma.

How did Job handle it?

He would ultimately experience post-traumatic growth, but it didn’t come to him easily. Job initially responded to his great experience of trauma by mourning, questioning, and lamenting his suffering. He expressed his grief and anguish, engaging in a dialogue with his friends to understand the reason for his suffering. Eventually, he reached a point of acceptance and submission to God’s sovereignty, acknowledging his limited understanding and placing his trust in God, even in the midst of extraordinary trials. Job’s journey reflects a process of grappling with suffering, questioning, and ultimately finding spiritual resilience and acceptance.

Another biblical example is the life of Joseph who experienced terrible trauma from the time he was teenager. His trauma would include being so hated by his brothers they first plotted to kill him, instead threw him into a cistern to die from exposure there, only to pull him out of the cistern and sell him to some traders passing by. He would be sold to a leading political figure as a slave, be falsely accused of attempted rape by that man’s lustful wife, and as a result unjustly spend years in prison. As the story goes, by God’s grace, Joseph would be elevated from prisoner to second in command in Egypt and eventually his brothers would come begging for food from him.

If you want to see remarkable post-traumatic growth, primarily nurtured from his faith in God, look at how Joseph handles his terrified brothers who expected nothing less than revenge from him:

“Joseph could stand it no longer. There were many people in the room, and he said to his attendants, ‘Out, all of you!’ So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was. Then he broke down and wept. He wept so loudly the Egyptians could hear him, and word of it quickly carried to Pharaoh’s palace. ‘I am Joseph!’ he said to his brothers. ‘Is my father still alive?’ But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. ‘Please, come closer,’ he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, ‘I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh — the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt,” Genesis 45:1-8.

Joseph would later reassure his brothers, “But Joseph replied, ‘Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.’ So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them,” Genesis 50:19-21.

An encouragement from Job’s and Joseph’s examples — and the examples of many people today — is that post-traumatic growth is a possible outcome from life’s traumatic experiences.

Scotty