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

[Shaz51]

Helllo @healthyhealing, @Mazarita 

[Former-Member]

Hi @Bubbles3, we're talking about some research that shows that the bad stuff that happens to us sometimes results in good changes.  Like more appreciation for life, closer relationships, deeper faith etc.  

It's not true for everyone but it is true for many people.

Do you think it might be true for you in some way? 

[Former-Member]

Hey @Shaz51, thanks for sharing your story with us tonight.  I think it's a lot harder to find growth in painful things that happen to us as children.  I'm glad you're here with us tonight though.

[Bubbles3]

yes and no

@Former-Member

deeper faith yes

i know from what happen to me i have a better understanding from life than most other people do . i know what a hard life is all about. 

is this what your getting at

[Teej]

I think for me there has been a whole new side of me that developed that otherwise wouldn’t have. Greater understanding and empathy is definitely one. I think in the strangest way learning about myself for the first time and realising how little I knew about me. I was totally unable to talk about feelings, as in even know the words to use. I think I’m way more aware of my kids emotional needs too. It’s sad that it sometimes takes something bad to really wake us up.

[Former-Member]

Thanks for joining us @Mazarita, sorry you missed out on the beginning.  You've hit on a good point about the questions we ask ourselves.  The 'whys' and 'what could have beens' are natural but tend to dig a deeper hole for .  You seem to have found an acceptance of the unpredictability of life.  That's not easy as it can seem very frightening.  I wonder if your spirituality helps with that.  

[Shaz51]

thanks @Former-Member, I think soo many family members tried to tell me to let it go , it is his loss , It is his fault , what he keeps doing to you is wrong , my father`s friend told me they wanted to hit him for how he was treating me

but he was still my dad and when he passed away 11 years ago I felt guilty but thankful it was over

[Adge]

Deeper Spirituality, yes definitely.

Deeper Faith (in the Religious sense) - No. I already had that (was) always.

My increasing awareness of my past traumas, & how it has affected me - shook any religious faith to the core.

Adge

[Former-Member]

@Former-Member Is there a way to facilitate PTG? 

and, is it PTG if I think it is, but others call it negative outcomes? 

[Former-Member]

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! 

Glad you feel woken 🙂