Topic Tuesday // PTSD & Post Traumatic Growth // Tues 20 Feb, 7pm AEDT

[Mazarita]

@Former-Member, I am not religious, in fact react against organised forms of religion. But I consider myself to have a personal spirituality that is about a direct relationship with life itself, in its vast mystery. I still am a scaredy cat though, about lots of things. Never said I was fully consistent. 

[Phoenix_Rising]

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@Former-Memberwrote:

Hey @Teej 

I keep encountering that expression - to be 'woken up' - lately.  I need to dwell on it a little more but I think I like it.  It connects with the idea that we're drifting through life often not questioning much or even taking much in.  Then something happens that connects us back in with the present.  And sometimes it's the bad stuff that does it most effectively.  

I'm not sure how 'awake' I am so it must be worth more contemplation! 

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It sounds like you need to come and visit the DBT thread @Former-Member. 

[Adge]

I think I need some waking up too @Teej

I have major fatigue issues, so attempting to be alert & "present" is a frequent struggle...

Adge

[Phoenix_Rising]

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@Former-Memberwrote:

@Former-Member Is it PTG if I think it is, but others call it negative outcomes? 

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@Former-Member I assume there is a clear definition of the construct of PTG, otherwise it couldn't be well researched. I.e. we need to know what we are measuring before we can measure it. 

[Bubbles3]

im out
no one talking to me
not understanding whats going on
to fast pace
fk CPTSD
thats all iv got to say

[Teej]

I think we all do @Adge. I have so much more waking up to do too @Former-Member. Just personally for me though I couldnt see or understand that growth until I had ‘dealt’ with my trauma. Until then it was that that took my full attention. Maybe the waking up is really just being more enlightened. I think gratitude helps too. It is something I never really had in my psyche before so much or that at least I wasn’t aware of it.

[Former-Member]

thank you @Phoenix_Rising - my muddled thought processes are not helping me tonight. I shall do some research on the subject. 

[Shaz51]

hugs @Bubbles3 

[Adge]

Yes it can seem hard to follow @Bubbles3

I'm just focusing on reading what people are sharing (saying).

You're welcome to stay, if you want to.

Adge

[Former-Member]

Great question @Former-Member and I hope I can sneak the answer in before the discussion ends. 

Here are some suggestions.  I have to make the disclosure though that so many of these sugggestions from the research also relate to the science of happiness and well-being more generally not just post-traumatic growth:

- active coping strategies which include sharing your story.  generally this can't be one person as our need to re-tell our stories often out-lasts an individuals capacity to hear it.  which is where forums, professionals, writing/blogs and groups really help.

- recognise that opposites can co-exist:  loss and gain, vulnerability and strength, control and lack of control, growth and loss etc.  it's not a linear straight path to growth or recovery.  

- find a way to use your experience to help others. right here in the forums is a good place to start.  this starts to connect you to a new narrative yourself as survivor and to to find meaning in the trauma. 

I'll add more later but wanted to post something now.  I'm interested to know if others have ideas on what helped them to grow following trauma.