This article is for anyone struggling with the effects of PTSD or those of you who are supporting someone who is experiencing it. You may have heard of the term Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG), but do you know how important it is in your journey?

I used to think that Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) was just a “feel-good” expression to try and put a silver lining on PTSD. During my recovery from PTSD after my combat deployment to Afghanistan, I had no idea how vital my struggle was to my growth – or what I could do to harness that growth. I thought my PTSD was just an obstacle in my life, and I didn’t realize the transformative potential that existed.

It wasn’t until I struggled with widowhood for months and months that I finally learned the importance of PTG. When I did, it validated my hardships and provided meaning behind my struggles. It gave me something to focus on, letting me know that my experiences were not in vain. I’m writing this article to share some of my key learnings to show you that you are not alone and that there is hope for a positive outcome in your challenges.

What is Post-Traumatic Growth?

PTG refers to the personal and positive transformation that sometimes occurs through the struggle after a traumatic experience, leading to a newfound sense of strength, purpose, and connectedness. In other words, PTG leads to you becoming more than your trauma. It is believed that PTSD causes you to reevaluate your life, core beliefs, and priorities – and it is through this re-evaluation that you experience growth.

The interesting thing about PTG is that it occurs through your struggles. This means that you are growing because of your struggles. Every time you are suffering from your PTSD, you have the potential to become more. This doesn’t mean that you need PTSD to grow or that you will always experience PTG if you struggle. However, it does provide an opportunity for you to become someone better.

Although everyone’s journey is unique, and not everyone experiences growth in all areas, there are five distinct “domains” of growth in which many PTSD sufferers report experiencing positive improvements:

Personal Strength:

This involves experiencing a new-found sense of personal strength through recognition of inner resilience or increased self-reliance. You realize that you possess substantial inner strength because of what you have been able to endure and overcome. Although you might still be struggling, you have an increased confidence in your ability to manage hardship. For example, you may be more willing to take on challenges you once thought impossible.

Improved Relationships with Others:

You find that you have increased compassion, deeper bonds, and greater appreciation for the people in your life. You start to pay more attention to the people who are important to you and experience a greater connection with them. You communicate more effectively and pay more attention to your needs, surrounding yourself with those who support who you are becoming.

New Possibilities:

You find yourself exploring new paths in life. You recognize that life is short, and you may have a shift in priorities and perspectives. You have a new life's purpose and don’t want to miss out on achieving your potential. You pursue different opportunities because you want to give back. You are becoming someone different in your growth and want to pursue this new direction.

Appreciation for Life:

You find a more profound meaning in your life, with enhanced gratitude for the present moment. You have a different perspective on life and are more focused on the positives. You have a shift in your priorities and focus on living well and savoring your experiences. You become more protective of your time and your relationships.

Spiritual and Existential Change:

You may experience a spiritual awakening during which you reevaluate your beliefs. You contemplate your existence and purpose in the world. You explore ways to find meaning in your experiences and shift your purpose in life. You enhance your connectedness with the world and pay more attention to your mortality.

What does this mean for you?

Depending on where you are in your struggle, you will have specific needs now. You might not care about the growth if you are simply surviving. When I was in those dark places of struggle, I couldn’t see what the future held. I was focused on making it through each day. However, I held on to believing that someday, those experiences would mean something—that my struggle wasn’t for nothing. That gave me fuel to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

If you are struggling, remember that you are creating a new version of yourself that will emerge stronger and better equipped for what comes next. You can take charge of your growth and shape who you become.

Reflect on Your Growth:

Take a moment to consider how the PTG domains might relate to your life. Have you experienced growth in any of those categories? If so, take some time to reflect deeper on who you are becoming because of your trauma. This can help offer a pathway to integrating your experiences into your life in a meaningful way.

Lastly, PTG is not about putting a silver lining on your trauma. It can’t remove the pain, suffering, and hardship. It’s about acknowledging the good that can exist with the bad and finding balance in your perspective.

I hope this article helped validate your struggles a little more. I’m barely scratching the surface of PTG with this article and would highly recommend that you learn more about this critical topic. I recommend the book Transformed by Trauma by Richard Tedeschi and Bret Moore for further reading. Dr. Tedeschi is one of the world’s leading researchers in PTG and has numerous resources to aid in your recovery.

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