🌱 On Post-Traumatic Growth

And How We Can Harness it to Live Life to the Fullest

“I’m sorry. The oncology team will be with you shortly.”

This is a sentence no one wants to hear - especially not a mother.

I’ll never forget this moment; the dread in the eyes of this young doctor who had shift at the kids’ hospital that day; his face - pained by the fact that he had to convey to me that my world was about to come crashing down on me.

What started with a trip to the GP with our then 4-year-old due to a suspected hernia ended with a cancer diagnosis. He had a tumour on one of his kidneys, requiring resection and a few months of chemo. It’s hard to describe the emotional and mental (and for him, physical) journey we all went through (at the time, I was 2 weeks out from submitting my PhD, so probably didn’t have the strongest nerves to start). But our little one was a total trooper and about a year later went back to childcare as if nothing had happened.

I can’t say the same for myself. Having experienced how quickly life can turn upside down, I started questioning everything in my life that wasn’t a big fat YES. I was no longer willing to settle for one-sided friendships, pursue ideals set by society, or devote a third of my life to a job that looked great but felt sh*t.

None of that happened overnight, of course, but within a few years, I quit my job, did some soul-searching, moved to the South of France (because 🧀🍷), and created The Flourishing Doc. What I didn’t realise at the time was that I was experiencing something called post-traumatic growth: a positive psychological change experienced as a result of adversity and other challenges in order to rise to a higher level of functioning.

That’s why in this week’s newsletter, I’m sharing an article offering an evidence-based perspective about posttraumatic growth, a study summary of a highly-cited literature review on the topic, a TED talk about befriending your stress, a book recommendation as well as a downloadable from the American Psychological Association 💥

Meanwhile, here’s a selfie of me enjoying the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. Any tips for Osaka will be greeted in my inbox with gratitude 😉

Maike x

PS: The funny thing was that the reason I became a psychologist in the first place was to empower others to identify and create a life that excites them - because last time I checked, we only have one. But at that time, psychologists only dealt with depressing things like - depression 🤷🏼‍♀️ So, I looked for the next best alternative and, a husband, two kids and a move to Australia later, found myself settling for a career that was good and paid the bills. And slowly crushed my soul. I simply got so used to being alive that I entered autopilot - and made room for things to sneak in I would have never consciously chosen. Can you relate?

“If it’s not a BIG FAT YES, it’s probably a NO.”

- Dr Maike Neuhaus

Understanding Post-Traumatic Growth and its Role in Living Life Fully

A Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Exploration

The human ability to recover and even thrive in the wake of adversity is a marvel of psychology that has been observed across cultures and generations. One such phenomenon capturing growing attention is Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG). But what is PTG exactly? How does it occur, and what scientific evidence supports its existence?

In this brief yet comprehensive, evidence-based exploration, I'll dive into the intricacies of Post-Traumatic Growth, moving beyond conventional understanding to scrutinise its very foundations. I will delve into the science behind PTG, demystifying how and why some individuals don't just bounce back from significant trauma, but in fact, use it as a springboard to profound personal growth and transformation.

🔬 Study spotlight: “Posttraumatic Growth in Clinical Psychology - A Critical Review and Introduction of a Two Component Model”

The study

Zoellner, T., & Maercker, A. (2006). Posttraumatic growth in clinical psychology: A critical review and introduction of a two-component model. Clinical Psychology Review, 26(5), 626-653

What it’s about

This study provides a critical review of posttraumatic growth research and introduces a fresh perspective on understanding this construct. The author’s approach involved a comprehensive examination of existing literature to identify the key components and influencing factors of posttraumatic growth. They proposed a novel two-component model to clarify the concept of growth following trauma and better guide clinical interventions.

Their results suggest a strong association between posttraumatic growth and cognitive coping strategies employed after trauma. Furthermore, elements such as social support, existential and spiritual beliefs, and specific personality traits (e.g. optimism, extraversion, and openness) appeared to influence the likelihood of experiencing growth following trauma. The authors highlighted the distinction between 'illusory' growth, related to cognitive reinterpretations of trauma, and 'genuine' growth, representing actual psychological development.

Worth Watching: TED Talk ‘How to Make Stress Your Friend’ by Kelly McGonical

In her brilliant TED talk, Kelly McGonical urges us to stop viewing stress as an enemy, and argues that if we view stress as a natural response that prepares and empowers us to face challenges, it's less likely to harm our health and more likely to benefit us.

A key element of this new perspective is acknowledging that stress triggers not only a "fight or flight" response but also a "tend and befriend" response, which drives us to seek and provide social support in times of stress.

This can result in a release of the hormone oxytocin, which enhances empathy and encourages social bonding. Intriguingly, oxytocin also has physical benefits, including healing stress-induced damage to the heart.

📖 Worth Reading: What Doesn’t Kill Us: The New Psychology of Posttraumatic Growth

In this book, psychologist Stephen Joseph explores the transformative power of trauma and adversity. Drawing on a wealth of research and personal stories, Joseph challenges the prevailing notion that trauma is invariably damaging. Instead, he presents a compelling case for how trauma can lead to profound personal growth and positive change.

Joseph provides insights into the process of posttraumatic growth, offering practical advice and strategies for individuals and professionals to foster resilience and growth following adversity. His work underscores the potential of trauma to be a catalyst for developing a more meaningful and fulfilling life. Great read - highly recommend.

🖨️ Worth downloading: The Road to Resilience by The American Psychological Association

In this 2-page document, the American Psychological Association provides a brief overview of what resilience is and how it can be cultivated. Neat little resource and completely free.