Posttraumatic Growth

SSgt Peter Schmidt — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 10:48:57 -0500

Several years ago I was at a meeting where a gentleman stood to introduce himself. It went something like this, “Hi. My name is Bill, and I’m a Vietnam Veteran with 100% service connection for PTSD.” Then he sat down. I was thinking to myself how this person is much, much more than a diagnosis. He has so much more to offer the world than a label. What about his many strengths, skills and talents? I thought to myself, what if he had made the same introduction but described himself as being on a journey of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG). What would using such a term mean for him and his life? What would it mean for others?

We can all agree that Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a diagnostic label used by clinicians to make sense of what one is experiencing and to give direction on treatment goals.
Unfortunately, our society and media have stigmatized the term along with stereotypes and misunderstanding of its true nature. When one hears the term PTSD it can cast all sorts of beliefs and perceptions. No one ever asked for a trauma to happen to a person! Compound a traumatic experience with stigma and there can be a tremendous detrimental impact.

The notion of posttraumatic growth has been with human beings for many millennia. Traumatic events of varying kind, will unfortunately always occur. And because of various biological, psychological, and social factors, for some trauma survivors will develop PTSD. Whether one carries this diagnosis or not the difference is how one works through and faces these challenges, which is what is different from one person to the next. The term Posttraumatic Growth expands the notion of a diagnostic label, communicating that recovery is a journey rather than simply being stuck with the label of a diagnosis. Its meaning conveys that there is hope and opportunity for positive change and growth.

What is posttraumatic growth? It is the ability to take a negative experience and see that it can spur positive change. It is a choice in how one views trauma, and how letting go of the past can open and welcome the future. It is where trauma is the change agent and the space where change can occur, with a lot of time, energy and struggle.

I once heard, “One need not be broken by trauma, but one must be open to ‘being broken open’” to it.

Tedeschi and Calhoun are psychologists and have researched PTG over the past 25 years or so. Tedeschi shared the positive impact of PTG in one article, “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.”

Through their research Tedeschi and Calhoun were able to identify five areas of growth achieved after trauma, I’ll provide some examples below. Individuals can use these to reflect upon their own journey of traumatic growth and we can all recognize that it doesn’t happen overnight and not without challenge and effort.

Have new opportunities emerged as a result of the struggle? Have new possibilities opened up that were not present prior to the trauma(s)? What would it mean if one could see opportunity from the challenge?

We’ve heard of an amputee who went on to challenge oneself and won a marathon and had never dreamed being able to do so.

What new relationships developed as a result of the trauma? Have closer relationships developed with specific people that you already knew or with new relationships? What about the experience of empathy and/or closer connection to those who suffer?

We’ve heard stories of enemies of war who years later were able to meet and share their experiences. Support group members will share painful experiences where deep connections are made to another.

Has one gained an increased sense of one’s own personal strength? How would one describe it?
We’ve all heard the sayings, “No pain, no gain” or “That which does not kill me makes me stronger.” There are stories of one being assaulted and being able to find personal strength to face the perpetrator.

Has there been a greater appreciation for life in general that didn’t exist before? What new sense of gratitude now exists?

I’ve worked with veterans who have experienced challenging life experiences as a result of combat and carrying the burden of death, killing and destruction. Over time as they have worked through their guilt, injury and anger they found a positive change in family relationships. They came to appreciate life around them, their family members, friends, and others.

Was there a deepening of one’s spiritual life? In what way? If not spiritually, was there a significant change in one’s belief system?

After going through a traumatic and transformative life experience people will experience a change in their belief system, or begin to reframe their understanding of a higher power.
One final question for consideration, in facing a new challenge/trauma/difficult situation, would one prefer to be the person one was before the event or the person after? How do you think those on a journey of PTG respond?

There are many paths one can take on their journey of posttraumatic growth: professional counseling, peer to peer support, alternative therapies, vision quest activity, alternative therapies, journaling, and doing for others. You’ve heard the saying, “All roads, lead to Rome”? One must decide to take a road, to begin the journey and to find an avenue of healing that works for them. When you are ready, the teacher will appear. C.S. Lewis shared, “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” There are many extraordinary Service Members, Veterans and Families, who have chosen the path of posttraumatic growth. No one ever need be alone on the journey. It is okay to trust the experience and others, because doing so will move one along the path.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 21 at 2021 10:52 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 10:52:12 -0500

Thank you for the great article on PTSD brother SSgt Peter Schmidt

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2021 10:55 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 10:55:57 -0500

Thank you for the positive thoughts, the wisdom and the motivation to continually improve our our thought process by reframing our thoughts and taking control of our own mental health.

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made Jan 21 at 2021 11:02 AM

SSgt Richard Kensinger — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 11:02:32 -0500

As a clinician of 50 yrs. I conduct therapy known as revisit, relive, and revise. I go into the combat zones with them repeatedly until they begin to heal some and incorporate the experience where it is less painful. This is more challenging when the present with complex PTSD by repeated combat forays.
This is a very pertinent topic. I have a number of published article on combat trauma. If interested contact me for copies at " [login to see] "
Rich

Response by Jenn Moynihan made Jan 21 at 2021 11:35 AM

Jenn Moynihan — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 11:35:57 -0500

Research has advanced so much it’s putting a whole new approach forward for PTS.

If you haven’t read it I suggest “Struggle Well” by Ken Falke and Josh Goldberg!

Jenn

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 21 at 2021 1:13 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 13:13:45 -0500

The utility to having PTSD is I can often look into a veterans eyes and see the tortured soul inside. I will often ask would you like my help. If they say yes I will take them on a journey to understand where they are at, what the symptoms are, and give them coping skills for the symptoms. I feel an immense obligation to try to help others.

I glued the pieces of my life back together found out I could not find some pieces. I have lost some passion in the process. I use to love to cook and fish, but they don't excite me anymore. For better or for worse the definition of Ken is different now. Perhaps now I am 70% of what I use to be.

I have more compassion now. I understand how it feels to want to die and throw in the towel for 730 days straight, and the future was obscured by the tears. I very much want to tenderly pick people off the ground, dust them off, and send them to the finish line. I am glad I have PTSD. I understand.

I am not a better person, at least I don't think I am; but I can say I am a stronger person. None of the travails I experience now can match the pain of wanting to die for 730 days. It feels like I have an emotional and mental armor now. Nothing in my daily activities can hurt me like PTSD did.

My values and goals are the same. However, I keep listening for perspectives on life that would give me clarity or deeper understand of me and the universe. I came up with mantra if you live your life with pure intentions, it will reduce future regrets. I am a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain. I like to travel and I am a foodie. I am such a foodie that I wrote a cookbook with my wife that focuses on relatively easy to make meals from around the world. Back to Mr. Bourdain. He was smart, cultured, and often said some interesting things. One night I watched one of his episodes and he said we should give the world our best, the world will give back to us, good or bad. I thought wow, he just described the mechanics of living with a few words.

I will be redundant now as I said before and I will say it again. I am now a cat in a dogs' world. I can spread my wings, but I don't always fly straight; but I am constitutionally strong. My inherent values define me and how I live my life, and my struggles has made me tougher.

I will expound on some thoughts to perhaps help others. I did learn a valuable lesson on growth recently. For years I thought I could improve no further and this was the best I would be. One day I wondered why was I content and hot happy about auspicious events in my life. Through introspection I realized I had no clue why. So I did what I usually do when a problem confronts me, I slept on it. The answer hit me. It was always there, but I did not perceive it. I needed to link happiness to who and what I love. By consciously thinking about it, I created the linkage. When I see my wife I feel happy. When I see my pet Macaw I feel happy. When I think about my children I feel happy. My life is so much better now. I wish everyone with PTSD can feel this way.

Here is a picture of Ariel. She says hello, hi, how are you, I love you, come here, ow, boo, hi Ariel. When she gets something good to eat she will say mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Jan 22 at 2021 9:58 AM

MSG Danny Mathers — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 09:58:56 -0500

PTSD is not something that can be measured but the VA system does measure it in term of being able to hold a job. 100% means just that; not able to work. The Veteran can be both physically and mentally disable and can not work. Fact is PTSD is a separate issue in the VA compensation structure. Life is not fair and so is the treatment. There is no wonder pill, just snake oil.

Response by SGT James Bradley made Jan 23 at 2021 11:38 AM

SGT James Bradley — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 11:38:12 -0500

Excellent commentary on PTSD. The concept of PTG is personally a most helpful tool in my own healing. Thanks so much.

Response by TSgt John Senior made Jan 24 at 2021 3:00 PM

TSgt John Senior — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 15:00:29 -0500

I will be re-reading this and following the comments.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Feb 6 at 2021 6:30 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 06:30:48 -0500

I had a friend who had returned from Iraq he had the 1000 mile stare I had asked him if everything was ok, do you want to talk do you need a friend see I to have demons in my mind from serving in Vietnam he said he was fine and left, two days later he was found hanging from a rope in his barn. If your having some thoughts no one cares or understands what your going through with PTSD your wrong help is every where no one will label you I got help sometimes it works sometimes it does not but I am still here. Reach out do not be afraid.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Feb 8 at 2021 7:14 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 19:14:51 -0500

What is a TRAUMA, does it depend on military combat? If it does not, should it be rated? There will always be anxiety in the military or not. The VA USED TO TURN DOWN EVERY CLAIM, then suddenly they turned around and approved suddenly they approved everyone. Now the system is so glutted by non combat “ trauma “ that those who need treatment can’t get it.

Response by MSG Mark Million made Feb 15 at 2021 1:53 AM

MSG Mark Million — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 01:53:15 -0500

The truth is that there are many, many Vietnam era veterans with undiagnosed PTSD. Most of them don't want to admit it, but when asked will admit to symptoms that make the diagnosis pretty obvious.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Feb 19 at 2021 6:05 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 18:05:25 -0500

Once upon a time the VA treated me for the COMBAT RELATED POST TRAUMATIC STRESS that I had been diagnosed with by a University Psychiatric Hospital. At that time PTSD was not compensated. Somewhere along the way they started rejecting every claim and when the pile got too big they gave up and approved everything. I have been in groupswhere the patients had never been in combat or near combat. They swelled the system and made it impossible to get treatment.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Feb 19 at 2021 6:40 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 18:40:25 -0500

WORD OF CAUTION Do not believe that Psychiatric Notes of you treatment will remain confidential. I have copies of mine that were used to attempt to have me relieved from my job. Their system is full of holes

Response by SGT Bill Christian made Feb 24 at 2021 8:07 AM

SGT Bill Christian — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 08:07:39 -0500

Im not knocking anyone, but instead of always telling the patient/veteran to reach out....how about we reach in? If you have a buddy a friend a family member that is just left or right of center then stay with them. Dont just accept "no every is ok" trust your gut, in the 18.5 yrs as a medic my intuition just as much as my skill set helped me keep my people alive. There are 2 times i ignored the signs and took the canned reply " no every thing is ok" both ended in me burying a brother, dont put your self in the position to ask why didnt i....remember this even if they get royally pissed at you for it...if their pissed then they're still alive. I can live with that what about you?

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Feb 26 at 2021 9:36 AM

SSG Eric Blue — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 09:36:07 -0500

I know that I can't help everyone who deals with PTSD, regardless of the event it stems from, but I do what I can to help who I can. It's rough to remain positive and "hunt the good stuff" sometimes, but I don't let that stop me from trying.

Response by SGT Ronald Audas made Mar 4 at 2021 1:40 PM

SGT Ronald Audas — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 13:40:48 -0500

My son that works at Ft.Lewis,is a counselor.He councils soldiers,going and coming from combat areas.He said ,a lot show signs of PTSD.He doesn't label them,as a board must rule on diagnosis.A great amount will never merge back into society without help .

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Mar 12 at 2021 10:49 PM

MAJ Jim Woods — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 22:49:17 -0500

I believe it gets worse as we get older.

Response by SGT Rose McGrail made Apr 6 at 2021 5:27 AM

SGT Rose McGrail — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 05:27:04 -0400

In my journey of posttraumatic growth through treatments and therapies for PTSD, there have definitely been highs and lows. I did every therapy the VA offered me and took medication too, for the first time in my life. I often felt like I was going crazy, especially early on. I felt like I was in a giant pool of sludge and my feet could barely touch the ground. I was moving forward, but I couldn't tell if I was moving towards the safety of the edge or I was going deeper. I was continually asked to trust that my therapists had my best interests at heart and were there to help me. Peer support saved my life and so did becoming a peer leader. The big boost for me came when I finally realized and accepted that I was never going to be like the person I was. I was working on a new me, version 2.0. It is 23 years since I started my PTG adventure and I am happy to report that it gets a lot better, but I had to put in the work and go through some rough therapy to get here. I am not free of symptoms 100% of the time, but I don't live my life on "high alert" either.