As we negotiate the ups and downs of life, trauma and loss will influence our experiences. Yet, while most people are familiar with post-traumatic stress disorder, many are unaware that difficulty and adversity provide an opportunity for constructive personal development and transformation.
When confronted with adversity in life, post-traumatic development is as prevalent as PTS itself. Post-traumatic personal growth provides many benefits, from increased emotional strength and healthier relationships to spiritual development and a better appreciation for life. And while a traumatic event might impact your life in unimaginable ways, here are some of the beneficial mental, emotional, and even spiritual changes that can come to define who you are.
What Factors Contribute to Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG)?
Post-traumatic growth (PTG) can develop due to stressful experiences such as assault, loss of a loved one, natural disasters, and cancer. Although these are classic instances of traumatic situations, PTG can occur due to any challenge that leads you to doubt your fundamental beliefs and values – i.e., your philosophy of life, the nature of people, your capabilities, and your aspirations. For example, hearing terrible occurrences on the nightly news or coping with a pandemic might cause you to reconsider your principles and beliefs.
What Are the Post-Traumatic Growth Benefits?
Trauma Contributes to the Strengthening of Relationships
Often, trauma may unite individuals. As you progress through your recovery, the degree of care and concern showed by others in your life might open your eyes to new possibilities in your relationships. To maintain relationships under challenging times, it is critical to be open, seek assistance, accept assistance, allow yourself to rely on people, and not be afraid to express your feelings. Along with enhanced relationships, individuals tend to feel more connected to family, friends, and loved ones and better understand what those folks mean to them.
Trauma Educates You on New Possibilities
When confronted with tragedy, it is sometimes necessary to reevaluate the life objectives you have set for yourself. As Alexander Graham Bell famously stated, "When one door shuts, another opens, but we frequently linger so long and so sad at the closed door that we miss the ones that open for us." However, following a traumatic incident, we are frequently pushed to redefine our aims and reestablish our priorities, enabling us to investigate previously unconsidered options.
Trauma Strengthens Your Personality
However unexpected, when confronted with trauma, it lays the groundwork for future adversity management. Additionally, as you go on your path to healing, you will uncover attributes and abilities in yourself that you were previously unaware of. The joy of discovering and utilizing an inner power you never imagined possible is exquisite.
Trauma Increases Your Appreciation for Life
When a terrible experience threatens the things you hold most dear, it instills a fresh feeling of thankfulness for the lesser, sometimes overlooked facets of life. Often, the rehabilitation process alters a person's vision of life — priorities shift, formerly taken for granted items become prized, and an appreciation for life is reawakened.
Trauma Has the Potential to Increase Spirituality
As human beings, we are frequently challenged with the urge to make meaning of painful situations - often prompting the question, "Why?" Conciliating your worldview is not a simple task, but it can improve clarity about the purpose of life during recovery. It is not unusual for folks who have endured trauma to develop a stronger connection to a greater sense. Whether religious or spiritual in origin, it has the potential actually to establish a feeling of contentment in life.
Trauma-Induced Personal Development
While trauma is an inevitable part of life, it does not negate how disturbing and disruptive a traumatic incident may be. Unfortunately, and frequently, events present themselves unexpectedly. However, when you heal, you may learn that there is not only a light at the end of the tunnel but also beneficial changes that result from your challenges.
Our trauma counselors are prepared with the tools and resources necessary to assist you in navigating challenging circumstances. Contact us today to understand how we may assist you in overcoming trauma and reclaiming a more positive attitude on life.
