Post-traumatic growth is positive change experienced as a result of trauma. This means having the ability to realize that you have grown through this difficult time rather than letting it negatively impact you. Just because you choose to grow through the experience rather than view it as something that changed things for the worse and the effects are irreversible doesn’t mean the trauma doesn’t still evoke symptoms of post-traumatic stress from time to time.
Post-traumatic strength (PTS) is when the trauma makes you stronger, much like the saying, “What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.” There is a difference, however, between stronger and hardened, and it’s important to not allow a past occurrence to force you to keep you guard up indefinitely, or to retreat into isolation, or to never be able to trust again.
PTS comes from within. It’s the ability to make a conscious effort to turn a negative into positive and to continue to choose positivity every time you have the decision to take one path or another. When you do this in the aftermath, you will experience post-traumatic growth. There is something very empowering about choosing to live life in this way and to not allow the past to define you. Choosing this path will help you build the self-confidence you may have lost or suppressed amid the chaos.
Thus, the two concepts are interrelated and integral components of the healing process. You can develop strength and grow in the aftermath if you make a conscious decision – today – to love yourself enough to heal rather than allowing unwanted symptoms to continue to weigh you down.
Deciding to fully experience PTS and PTG while minimizing the negativity of PTSD takes work. It takes commitment. And, it takes a genuine desire to change your mindset and make an effort to choose happiness each and every day. This will get easier over time if you choose to start taking on some techniques right now that’ll help with this process.
First and foremost, start infusing some mindfulness into your life. This can be done in a variety of ways. For some excellent tips on how to begin shifting your mindset, check out this page.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step! Take that first step today!
I think this is the first time I have ever heard the terms PTG and PTS. I think these concepts are great. Wow, can’t believe I haven’t heard of this before. Yes, PTSD symptoms can be debilitating. Still figuring out what it is, but somewhere inside of myself this concept makes sense. Thank you for this.
So glad it was helpful! Thanks, Dawn!