Post Traumatic Growth

Sometimes things happen in life we just can’t control, like Covid -19 for example, who would have thought it would pretty much bring the world to a halt?. Covid-19 is being described by professionals as a global traumatic crisis and unlike the financial crash of 2008.

Covid is likely to affect us all, people have lost loved ones, been made redundant even lost business.

It’s changed the ways in which we communicate and interact, It’s also taken its toll on our emotional health and wellbeing. The centre for mental health predicts that up to 10 million people (almost 20% of the population) will need either new or additional mental health support as a direct consequence of the crisis.  1.5 million of those will be children and young people under 18.

Pretty alarming stats ill sure you’ll agree. It doesn’t stop there, COVID-19 has affected the global economy too, according to Deloitte it has impacted the global economy in three main ways: by directly affecting production, by creating supply chain and market disruption, and by its financial impact on firms and financial markets.

Now add to that the mix the possibility of a no-deal Brexit. It all sounds a bit gloomy doesn’t it, it’s like we’re in a black hole with very little light at the end of the tunnel, it’s like we all need something or somebody to blame.

If you’ve heard of Dr Brene Brown you’ll know ahs has a wonderful way of simplifying and adding humour to complex issues such as understanding the difference between empathy and sympathy. 

Brene’s talks about why Blame isn’t the answer to the problem in this short 3-minute film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZWf2_2L2v8&list=PLZCC3l_aXEFKYpNKS4sru8ebBQWBgXCC5&index=3

I’ve had the misfortune or fortune (whichever way you look at it) to have experienced many traumatic experiences through my life, from loss of a sibling at a young age, homelessness and living on the streets, severe poor mental health leading to borderline PTSD, attempted suicides, unresolved childhood trauma, losing my first house a year after I purchased it in 2008’s credit crunch and finally walking one end of Britain to the other in recovery,

All of those experiences (whilst at the time very painful) have helped build resilience. They have help me understand that we are all so much stronger than we think and that even after experiencing a traumatic event, it can help people over time and reap the benefits of these challenges and the adversities they've been able to overcome.

I want to introduce you to a completely new way of thinking about the bad ways that happen to us, specifically this is a process what we call Post-traumatic growth.

Post-traumatic growth refers to the positive mental shift experienced as a result of adversity and many people have found they have changed after adversity, specifically in these areas.

Personal strength

A greater feeling of self-reliance

Recognition of the ability to handle challenges

Increased sense of capabilities to survive and prevail

Ability to better accept the way things work out

Discovery of being stronger than they thought they were

Closer relationships

More openness to count on people in times of trouble and except needing others

A greater sense of closeness with others more comfortable with intimacy and vulnerability

An increased sense of compassion for others who suffer

Putting more effort into relationships

Greater appreciation for life

Change in priorities about what’s important

A  greater appreciation for the value of living each day, relationships and what one still has

Increase in the importance of little things or things formally taken for granted

Gratitude comes with more presence and mindfulness

New possibilities

Revaluate mission and look for new opportunities

More likely to change things that need changing

Willingness to explore opportunities, new interest and vocational pathways never before considered

Acceptance of the breakage and becoming more resilient and open to new ways of living

Spiritual development

Life’s experience at a deeper level of awareness

Development of a deeper sense of real spirituality

After an extension of quest life beliefs and philosophies tend to be fully developed satisfying and meaningful.

We often think of trauma as something we struggle with for life or that it only affects veterans, that’s not the case, we may all experience trauma at some point in our life over the smallest of things, fortunately, with the right help, guidance and support we can actually not just bounce back,  but we can bounce forward.

If you’ve experienced a trauma or major adversity there are a few elements to consider to be able to bounce forward that contribute to post-traumatic growth:

1.      Embrace your Natural response. You have to go through the difficult emotional processing period before bouncing forward.

2.      Share in a safe space. Talk about what has happened, don’t bottle it up, share it with a friend, family, or the dog, they’re good listeners

3.      Find your strengths. Think about how you got through though this period, what helped you? What did you learn from this experience?

Most people make a full recovery from their adversities, They may have had changed career and now have meaningful life’s full of opportunities, even in the weirdest of times,

In the words of the great Tony robbins “What we go through we grow through”.