Introduction

Trauma is a difficult and painful experience, but it can also catalyze growth. Science says so, and I can attest to this from my own personal story.

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is the positive psychological change that can occur after a traumatic event. People who experience PTG often report a newfound appreciation for life, stronger relationships, and a greater sense of purpose.

In this blog post, I will explore the science and psychology of PTG. I will also discuss how to embrace PTG as a path to personal growth and the ingredients I have found to be needed in order to perform what I call “Emotional Alchemy, the art of transforming adversity into gold of personal growth”

What is psychological trauma?

A trauma is the exposure to a very harmful or life-threatening event that can be acute (a one-time event, such as a tornado or an accident), or chronic (the sum of a series of events that repeat frequently, such as bullying or abuse). In the aftermath of a traumatic event, there are several and complex ways in which a person can be affected depending on various factors.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) refers to a pathogenic way of coping with trauma in which the person affected can react with growth stagnation, loss of self worth, estrangement or disengagement, defensive vigilance, mistrust, anxiety, fear, insecurity, withdrawal and/or somatization among other symptoms.

What is Post-Traumatic Growth?

PTG is a relatively new concept in psychology. It was first introduced by psychologist Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun in 1995. Tedeschi and Calhoun define PTG as "the positive psychological changes experienced as a result of highly challenging life experiences."

"People develop new understandings of themselves, the world they live in, how to relate to other people, the kind of future they might have, and a better understanding of how to live life", says Tedeschi.

PTG can manifest in a variety of ways, including:

• A greater appreciation for life.
• Stronger relationships.
• A new sense of purpose.
• Increased self-confidence.
• A more meaningful outlook on life.

PTG is not a linear process. It can take time and effort to achieve. However, it is possible to find meaning and growth even in the darkest of times. There is always a hidden gift if one decides to look for it.

The Psychology Behind Post-Traumatic Growth

There is no one explanation for how PTG occurs. However, psychologists believe that it is likely due to a combination of factors, including:

• The individual's coping mechanisms. People who are able to cope effectively with trauma and are more resilient are more likely to experience PTG.
• The individual's social support network. People who have strong social support networks are more likely to experience PTG.
• The individual's meaning-making abilities. People who are able to find meaning in their trauma and can build a new narrative, are more likely to experience PTG.

Post-Traumatic Growth vs. Antifragility and Resilience

PTG is often confused with antifragility and resilience. However, there are some key differences between these three concepts.

• Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity. Resilient people are able to recover from difficult experiences and return to their previous state.
• Antifragility is the ability to thrive in the face of adversity. Antifragile systems become stronger thanks to stress and chaos.
• PTG is the positive psychological change that can occur after a traumatic event.

In other words, resilience is about having the capacity to bounce back from adversity to our previous state, Antifragility is about thriving in adverse environments, and PTG is about finding growth and meaning in adversity. Subtle, but important differences.

Being a resilient person does not warrant antifragility or PTG, but it seems that resilience is a prerequisite for the other two. A non-resilient person is much more likely to experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental and emotional issues when faced with hardship.

Emotional Alchemy and the Path to PTG

Emotional Alchemy is a concept I used in the book I published in 2019, “Emotional Alchemy, the Art of transforming adversity into Gold for your personal growth”, after going through my own personal life tsunamis and studying for an MA in Human Potential Development. In it, I talk about six key elements (ingredients) needed to be able to transform the afflictive emotions that inevitably will arise when faced with hardship and trauma, into fuel for personal evolution. An invitation to transmute our emotions as a path to self-realization.

In the context of PTG, Emotional Alchemy shows us how we can use our painful experiences to catalyze deep internal transformation. Just like the alchemist turns lead into gold, we turn pain into strength.

How to Embrace the Post-Traumatic Growth Journey?

If you have experienced trauma, there are things you can do to embrace PTG and grow from your experience. Here are the six ingredients and a few other tips I share in my book:

• DECISION: Make a personal commitment to your own healing and growth. No one else can do this for you.
• ACCEPTANCE: Allow yourself to feel your emotions. Don't try to suppress or deny your pain. Instead, allow yourself to feel it fully. “Permission to be human” This is the first step to healing and growth. Also accept what is, go through the grieving process until you can stop fighting with reality. If you can’t feel it, you don’t heal it. And if you don’t accept it, you can’t transform it.
• GRATITUDE: Focus on what you do have, on what you can control, on what it is going well in your life. Also, find the hidden gift (the meaning in your trauma) and be thankful. What can you learn from your experience? How can you use it to make a difference in the world? Finding meaning in your trauma can help you to move forward with your life. Gratitude is also a great way to help you change the narrative.
• FAITH: In you, your potential, your ability to learn and grow (growth mindset). Having also faith in a higher power can help a lot. Trust the process, This is temporary and specific, it doesn’t have to define you or your entire life.
• LOVE: This means getting off the fear train. Breathe, use mindfulness, be in contact with nature, pray, hug your loved ones, and do things you enjoy. Embrace the moment with an open heart. Allow the experience to go through you so it can transform you.
• ACTION: Take the next immediate loving action that moves you to a better emotional place (one step at a time). Put your experience at the service of others.
• Connect with others. Talk to friends, family, or a therapist about your experience. Sharing your story can help you to process your emotions and find meaning in your trauma. Not having someone to share your experience with can lead to PTSD.
• Take care of yourself. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly. Taking care of your physical and mental health will help you to cope with trauma and thrive in the aftermath.
• Laugh and keep your sense of humor. Even if it is a dark one. When you can find the humor in your situation and learn to laugh about yourself and not take life so seriously, the burden becomes lighter and more bearable.

All these are some ways to be able to restore a healthy “post-traumatic self” as Dr. Jhon P. Wilson Ph.D. Professor of psychology and former President of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, calls it in his book “The Post Traumatic Self”.

PTG and Happiness

Post Traumatic Growth is a consequence of multiple factors, and sometimes requires professional help, but the tools studied by positive psychology and the science of happiness can be profoundly helpful not only to cope with traumatic and painful life events, but also to previously build the resilience muscle needed to deal with this kind of situations that take us out of balance and challenge us throughout life.

Building the psychological resources to be able to navigate turbulent and uncertain waters, such as the ones humanity faces in these challenging moments, can contribute to overall happiness and well-being.  

Measuring PTG

Psychologists use a variety of self-report scales to evaluate whether and to what extent someone has achieved growth after a trauma. One such scale is the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), developed by Tedeschi and Calhoun in 1996. The PTGI measures five areas of positive change that can occur after trauma:

• Appreciation of life: People who have experienced trauma often report a newfound appreciation for life, such as a greater sense of gratitude for the small things in life or a deeper appreciation for the people they love.
• Relationships with others: Trauma can also lead to stronger and more meaningful relationships. People who have experienced trauma may become more appreciative of their loved ones, or they may form new relationships with people who have shared similar experiences.
• New possibilities in life: People who have experienced trauma may be more motivated to make changes in their lives, such as starting a new career or volunteering their time to help others.
• Personal strength: People who have experienced trauma may learn to cope with difficult situations more effectively, and they may develop a stronger sense of self-worth.
• Spiritual change: People who have experienced trauma may question their beliefs about the world, or they may develop a stronger connection to their spirituality.

The PTGI can help psychologists and specialists to identify people who are experiencing positive change after trauma, and it can also help to track the progress of people who are undergoing counseling or therapy for trauma-related symptoms.

I hope this blog post has been helpful. If you have experienced trauma or hardship and adversity, know that you are not alone. There is hope for growth and healing. With time and effort, you can become an Emotional Alchemist and emerge from your trauma stronger and wiser than ever before, becoming antifragile and happier in the process.  

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