Post Traumatic Growth
A new tree can burst forward. A new sense of hope can burst through from your trauma.
Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is a theory that explains this kind of transformation following trauma. It was developed by psychologists Richard Tedeschi, PhD, and Lawrence Calhoun, PhD, in the mid-1990s, and holds that people who endure psychological struggle following adversity can often see positive growth afterward. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/11/growth-trauma
The way I define Post Traumatic Growth is the truth of transformation after a traumatic episode occurs, and this transformation may take time, yet the ability to grow beauty out of the ashes of trauma is real, and there is hope of a new day in the presence and mercies of God. It is within the growth where we move ahead of the trauma from the past, where we see new beauty, new understanding of the fragility and splendor of life, and learn to bring forth positive regard to others around.
I have experienced trauma, like many of you out there reading this, and like many of you reading this, I have been almost paralyzed by the past, not able to move forward, or perhaps not knowing how to move forward. Now I want to say - I have good days, and not so good days, yet the Lord is always good no matter how I feel. Let me say this again and in large bold letters:
THE LORD IS ALWAYS GOOD NO MATTER HOW I FEEL.
He invites us into His presence in order to bring us comfort, healing, hope, peace, relationship, growth, and so much more such as eternal life.
According to Taku, PhD, an associate professor of psychology at Oakland University, “PTG is sometimes considered synonymous with resilience because becoming more resilient as a result of struggle with trauma can be an example of PTG - but PTG is different from resilience.”
Taku, PhD, continues, “Resiliency is the personal attribute or ability to bounce back.” Taku goes on to submit how PTG refers to what can happen when someone who has difficulty bouncing back experiences a traumatic event that challenges his or her core beliefs, endures psychological struggle (even a mental illness such as post-traumatic stress disorder), and then ultimately finds a sense of personal growth. It’s a process that ‘takes a lot of times, energy and struggle.”
I understand what is being said here, yet this completely forsakes a spiritual hope for healing from PTSD, or other mental and spiritual conditions while looking at this through the fragmented lens of a psychological perspective only. I am not saying this is bad, just not complete.
Taku, PhD, concludes, perhaps prematurely that PTG and resiliency are different, where someone who is resilient already won’t experience PTG when trauma occurs because they aren’t rocked to the core by an event and also doesn’t have to seek a new belief system. (Richard Tedeschi, PhD).
I believe no matter how resilient someone is, the statement of ‘not being rocked to the core’ must be reconsidered since even people with tremendous resiliency, support, strong core beliefs, such as religious, moral, and other belief systems may, in fact be rocked to the very core, even questioning the traumatic experience through their faith and wondering why would this happen.
Those who experience trauma, may be resilient, and still question their belief system, or portions of it. The resilient person and the person who will experience post traumatic growth can share similar narratives, have strong faith, and be rocked deeply in the grips of trauma. Growth is still possible, faith can still be questioned, and answers sought after through this hope of healing and growing out of the past trauma and into the now and future self. There is grace and mercy to help during these times of struggle, suffering, and hopelessness for the individual. PTG happens and the extravagant beauty becomes a reality.
More research into the differences must be conducted, but the one agreement is ‘growth through the trauma is possible.’
There are tests which can be done, and you can measure them from home. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to see if growth has taken place in your life since the trauma:
Have I developed a new understanding of myself, and the world around me on a positive level? (Do you still fear the past trauma as if you are living it for the first time?)
Do you see new potential or possibilities in your life leading in a positive direction?
Have your relationships changed for the better or worse since you experienced trauma?
How is my spiritual journey? Am I growing or am I fearing the past trauma is still able to hurt me?
Please understand that these are not all-encompassing or catch-all questions, these are some tools to help you with understanding growth. Several studies have been conducted, although not as conclusive, perhaps as the researchers want, and I don’t know all of the surveys, studies, questions, or reportable data out there, I do know growth is possible, even attainable to you, it is within your grasp.
Several other factors should be considered, such as age, gender, types of traumatic exposure and severity of it, even the frequency of the exposure itself. Many others factors should be looked into as those who survived the traumatic experience continue forward to find hope, healing, growth, and restoration.
In all things, be blessed, you are loved. Fight the good fight and run the course. I am with you.
Dr. -K