We hear the term Post Traumatic Growth and can easily misunderstand what it is. I wanted to understand so I researched what it really is.
The questions:
What is it? Is it real? Is it automatic? Does everyone who experiences trauma go through it? Does it negate the trauma? How does it work? What does it look like?
Quick answers:
I’ll explain, yes it’s real, no it’s not automatic, not everyone experiences it, absolutely not because trauma is real, I’ll explain.
You don’t need to know what Post Traumatic Growth is to experience it.
WHAT IT IS
Post Traumatic Growth or PTG is a term that was coined in the 1990’s by Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun from the University of North Carolina. They are part of the Posttraumatic Growth Research Group. The definition on their website is: It is positive change experienced as a result of the struggle with a major life crisis or a traumatic event.
Although they define it, the idea existed long before the term.
I’d define it differently for reasons that will follow.
You don’t need to know what Post Traumatic Growth is to experience it. Click To Tweet
IS IT REAL
Yes, post-traumatic growth is a real thing. However, there’s a problem with the term. If you look at the definition above, it seems to read as if the positive change simply occurred; that the trauma caused the positive change. Put another way, the positive change was a result of the trauma.
I have a problem with their definition which brings me to my next point.
IS IT AUTOMATIC
I offer a hard no on this. Trauma does not produce growth. Trauma produces pain. The words made famous by Kelly Clarkson, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, is possible but not automatic.
If a person adopts that mindset, they make a choice. This choice gives them the power to push through, so they can heal and grow. Some can do it on their own, and some need help from others.
Either way, there is an intention to grow.
DOES EVERY TRAUMA SURVIVOR EXPERIENCE IT
No, because it’s not automatic. It not only takes a choice to heal and grow; trauma can be quite complicated. There’s Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). These are very real and don’t ask for permission to show up in a person’s life.
While growth is always possible, trauma can kill when left untended. There are diseases and syndromes caused by trauma. Dealing with your trauma can bring about healing. But not everyone deals with their trauma. Not everyone can or will push through it. Not everyone heals and grows. Some people are destroyed by trauma. There are those who even though they’re still breathing, they’re dead inside.
Sadly, some even commit *suicide.
DOES IT NEGATE THE TRAUMA
The definition of the term above sounds like it negates the trauma, but that is not their intent, nor is it true. Just because we grow after we have experienced trauma does not change the truth of what took place. Growth comes from how we chose to process the trauma, intentionally making something useful out of it. Just because you grew doesn’t mean you didn’t suffer.
Just because you grew doesn’t mean the tragedy was good.
Trauma doesn’t have to defeat you. It can be a perfect opportunity for growth. Don’t just make a comeback. Use it as a catalyst forward. – Matt McWilliams
HOW DOES IT WORK
Post-traumatic growth is evidenced in our lives by positive changes due to healing and choices. Someone who has grown has taken ownership of their trauma and used it. They’ve made use of the pain.
We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey. ― Kenji Miyazawa
Trauma causes questions like why did this happen, why did this happen to me, is it my fault, where was God, will I ever feel safe again… and more. These are hard to process. A person who grows finds their answers. I say theirs because there is no definitive answer.
It’s about making peace within the wounded soul.
We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey. ― Kenji Miyazawa Click To Tweet
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE
I found five areas a person can change when they grow through processing their trauma. Any of these is evidence of growth.
- Change in vision. Overcoming trauma changes how a person sees things. Because processing trauma requires a person to look at themselves, situations and others in ways they hadn’t before, they see things previously hidden. Things like opportunities or possibilities. This can cause or increase a positive attitude and expectation.
- Change in relationships. Overcoming trauma will cause a greater appreciation for friends and loved ones. One might develop a closer connection to a specific person who walked through it with them. Another might develop empathy for others who suffer and look for ways to connect or help.
- Change in self-esteem. Overcoming something that tried to destroy a person will increase their sense of inner strength. It will build a confident resilience.
- Change in life perspective. A person may have a greater appreciation for life in general. They may reevaluate their life purpose or mission and chose to be more mindful, less materialistic, or adventurous.
- Change in beliefs. When processing trauma a person seeks the answers to hard questions. If they’re determined to grow, they’ll find answers. This will cause a deepening or change in spiritual life and beliefs.
You’ll never be the same as before the trauma – but you can choose to grow and become a new better version of yourself.
WHAT NEXT
- If you’ve experienced Post Traumatic Growth share in the comments and let me rejoice with you.
- Get coaching to help you grow HERE.
Get my book Emerging With Wings.
- *If you’re feeling like hurting yourself please call this hotline for help 1-800-273-8255 or go to this online chat here.
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I like the way you said “Trauma does not produce growth. Trauma produces pain.” Good can come after bad things happen, but then to say the bad thing was good is wrong. It’s our choices after the trauma that can produce growth, or not.
Thank you, Michael. It’s so important for people to know they have power because trauma tells us we’re powerless. But it’s a lie. The feeling is true. But we always have a choice on how to proceed.
Thanks for sharing.
Since I quit Facebook, Tiktok is my favorite social media. Telling this as a positive story on Tiktok will reach suffering people.
thank you Charles for your suggestion 🙂
Instead of saying I have CPTSD, now I can say I experience growth! Thank you.
That is wonderful Kara!