What is trauma?
“Traumatic events such as family and social violence, rapes and assaults, disasters, wars, accidents, and predatory violence (and ultimately anything perceived as traumatic) can confront people with such horror and threat that it may temporarily or permanently alter their capacity to cope, their biological threat perception, and their concepts of themselves. Traumatized individuals frequently develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a disorder in which the memory of the traumatic event comes to dominate the victims' consciousness, depleting their lives of meaning and pleasure.” (Bessel van der Kolk, 2000)
How common is it?
“It is estimated that 75% of Australian adults have experienced a traumatic event at some point in their life. Further, International studies estimate that 62–68% of young people will have been exposed to at least one traumatic event by the age of 17.” (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023)
So that’s bad news… right?
“There is robust cross-cultural and historical evidence that exposure to extreme traumatic experiences can trigger extreme psychological distress. However, such responses are not inevitable, and there is a growing awareness that traumatic events do not always have adverse psychological sequelae. In particular, some traumatised populations not only demonstrate resilience, but also report post-traumatic growth (PTG) in response to the experience of extreme events.” (Orla T. Muldoon et al, 2020)
Post-traumatic growth?
“Post-traumatic growth is the experience of positive change that occurs as a result of the struggle with highly challenging life crises. It is manifested in a variety of ways, including an increased appreciation for life in general, more meaningful interpersonal relationships, an increased sense of personal strength. changed priorities, and a richer existential and spiritual life. Although the term is new, the idea that great good can come from great suffering is ancient.” (Richard G. Tedschi and Lawrence G. Calhoun, 2004)
Can trauma become a consistent force for good?
I agree in some instances experiencing trauma can bring about positive change and build resilience, however this is usually only possible if the traumatized individual has enough support around them in the form of positive friends, family and psychological/spiritual mentors and of cause groups like R&R definitely help. Trauma can be an agent for change but a traumatized individual can’t do this own their own or without the right help and intervention. Ultimately the individual also needs to want to find the positives and move forward as well !
Thought-provoking post, trying to work out my own stance on it. Overall I like the “post-traumatic growth” concept and can relate to it. I think it’s a concept to tread carefully with, though.
Yes, we can grow from our traumas and in many ways they make us the people we are today. But the first quote in the article lists rape as such a trauma, for example. How can we promote growth concepts while avoiding any pitfalls like “oh she was raped, but look at all the fantastic personal growth she’ll get out of that!”?
To me, growth is a silver lining of trauma and a way for us to create meaning from it. But it doesn’t make the trauma a good thing.