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Survivor: PTSD
Although it is safe to say that most clinicians believe that traumas which result in disorders such as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) result in major difficulties both mentally and physically, not everyone is looking at it this way. An article published in Psychiatric Times in April 2004 came to a decidedly different perspective, albeit not one of either a positive or negative nature, but a combination of the two.
For anyone with PTSD, the positive perspective of those like Maslow and Yalom, can offer a breath of fresh air. They contend that personal life crises are opportunities for important change while others see the trauma as not only leading to positive change, but to growth. Life is never without stressors but it is the way we meet these challenges that helps us to improve our lives and enhance our skills.
The new body of literature which is developing out of these theorists' work is in the area of posttraumatic growth. The cases being described range from contending with crippling or life-threatening illness, to the loss of one's home, sexual assault and combat or refugee experiences. One thing which the authors note was that survivors begin to appreciate and recognize the importance of everyday events in their lives. New goals may be recognized and still-newer paths to them which may not have presented themselves before are seen. How the individual relates to these goals and sets their course is all-important.
I've seen instances of trauma victims who have literally turned their focus around and made their life's work reflect this. Gloria Allred, a famous California discrimination attorney, recently revealed in her autobiography that she had been raped as a young woman and she used this painful experience as a life-changing one. She decided to help women who had been victimized by employers, partners or any system and she decided that she would do much of it on a pro bono basis. Her triumphs have been many.
Most of us know of the courage and incredible strength of Ryan White, the boy who contracted AIDS from a transfusion necessitated by his hemophilia. Ryan was taunted by classmates, his school tried to refuse him permission to continue his attendance and his family finally moved to another state. There the story changed and Ryan became a hero and a spokesperson until his death on April 8, 1990.
His legacy, however, lives on in the healthcare bills passed because of him and the new understanding he raised about this devastating illness.
Christopher Reeve, once literally "Superman" in the movies, suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury which left him paralyzed. He fought back in every way he knew and, thanks to that fight, we now have new research initiatives for spinal cord patients.
Each day we make a decision regarding that day's struggles and activities. Make yours count, if only for yourself, and you will be a survivor, not a victim.
Related Topics: Got a Phobia? Hormone May Help, Best Ways to Ease Anxiety Disorders
Technorati Tags: PTSD, survivor, positive living
For anyone with PTSD, the positive perspective of those like Maslow and Yalom, can offer a breath of fresh air. They contend that personal life crises are opportunities for important change while others see the trauma as not only leading to positive change, but to growth. Life is never without stressors but it is the way we meet these challenges that helps us to improve our lives and enhance our skills.
The new body of literature which is developing out of these theorists' work is in the area of posttraumatic growth. The cases being described range from contending with crippling or life-threatening illness, to the loss of one's home, sexual assault and combat or refugee experiences. One thing which the authors note was that survivors begin to appreciate and recognize the importance of everyday events in their lives. New goals may be recognized and still-newer paths to them which may not have presented themselves before are seen. How the individual relates to these goals and sets their course is all-important.
I've seen instances of trauma victims who have literally turned their focus around and made their life's work reflect this. Gloria Allred, a famous California discrimination attorney, recently revealed in her autobiography that she had been raped as a young woman and she used this painful experience as a life-changing one. She decided to help women who had been victimized by employers, partners or any system and she decided that she would do much of it on a pro bono basis. Her triumphs have been many.
Most of us know of the courage and incredible strength of Ryan White, the boy who contracted AIDS from a transfusion necessitated by his hemophilia. Ryan was taunted by classmates, his school tried to refuse him permission to continue his attendance and his family finally moved to another state. There the story changed and Ryan became a hero and a spokesperson until his death on April 8, 1990.
His legacy, however, lives on in the healthcare bills passed because of him and the new understanding he raised about this devastating illness.
Christopher Reeve, once literally "Superman" in the movies, suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury which left him paralyzed. He fought back in every way he knew and, thanks to that fight, we now have new research initiatives for spinal cord patients.
Each day we make a decision regarding that day's struggles and activities. Make yours count, if only for yourself, and you will be a survivor, not a victim.
Related Topics: Got a Phobia? Hormone May Help, Best Ways to Ease Anxiety Disorders
Technorati Tags: PTSD, survivor, positive living
