When Post Traumatic Growth Happens

Last updated on: November 21, 2012 at 7:33 am by Grace Sandra

When Post Traumatic Growth Happens 2012-11-21T07:33:57-04:00 Grace Sandra

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I’ve been on a trauma recovery journey I’ve been trying to articulate to myself and the Lord for the last five months. It’s one I’m going to attempt to articulate -in part- to you. This is what I know so far. Everybody loves a good redemption story right?

I heard a fascinating TEDx talk by Jane McGonigal. When I began to hear Jane talking about some of the qualities that describe people who have pushed past Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to Post Traumatic Growth I smiled, said “thank you, God,” and knew I had taken that journey without even knowing it.

You’ve heard of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder right? But, have you heard of Post Traumatic Growth? Nope, me either. As it turns out, trauma doesn’t have to ruin your life for ever. Some people get stronger after trauma. Apparently, one can use trauma as a springboard to unleash one’s best qualities and lead happier lives.

People who have survived trauma and moved on to growth say the followings things defined their life post trauma: their priorities changed and they are not afraid to do what makes them happy. They feel closer to their friends and family. They understand themselves better and know who they really are. They have a new sense of meaning and purpose and are better able to focus on their goals and dreams. Ironically enough, the top 5 traits Post Traumatic Growth survivors experience are the exact opposite of the top 5 regrets of the dying. Fascinating, no?

When Jane studied the Post Traumatic Growth survivors she found 4 key types of strengths that contributed to growth: physical resilience (exercise, etc.), mental resilience (learning, problem solving, game playing, reading, etc.), emotional resilience (positive interactions, goal setting, etc.) and social resilience (practice of gratitude, healthy touch, trust of oneself, etc.). When you regularly and consistently boost these you produce resilience that gives you strength which leads to growth even after intense or severe trauma.

About a year & a half ago I experienced a trauma. I can’t say much about it right now because the story is being published as an essay in an Anthology due out next year. Until you get the full blow-by-blow, you’ll have to trust me when I say I faced a “by the book” traumatic event that broke me, and continued to break me for well over a year.

In the middle of that desperate, desperate time…

You can read the rest of this post over at A Deeper Story: Tales of Christ & Culture.

post traumatic growth

post traumatic stress disorder

Previous Post

November 20, 2012

What difference would it make if every American gave $107 on #GivingTuesday?

Next Post

November 23, 2012 In Which I Attempt to Finish My Book in 4 Days

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Abortion Abuse Survivor African Americans Black Campus Ministries Blogging Books Celebrities Depression Detroit Divorce Dreams entrepreneurialista Family Fashion Fashion & Hair Fashion Finds Fashion Tips Fitness & Body Love For You Girly-Girl Giveaways! Goal Setting Hair Adventures Home Human Trafficking Humor & Fun InterVarsity iphone Apps iphoneography Leadership Marriage Memoir Mentoring Movies Music My Faith My Life My Pregnant Life My Weight Watcher's Journey Netizen One Word Opinion Parenting Photography Policy Politics Pop Culture Product Reviews Race & Ethnicity Racism Ransom Rhys Second Marriage Self Leadership Social Justice Social Media Spiritual Disciplines T.V. Uncategorized Western Theological Seminary What I Wore What I Wore Wednesday Writing Writing Tips

Select a Month May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 December 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 April 2016 March 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 July 2015 June 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz