Trauma: A Personal Key

Trauma related distress is a world wide phenomenon, the latest understandings of it suggest many people experience it and ultimately what determines a persons traumatic events is individual to them. What one person finds traumatic another may not, in this way it is a subjective label. Trauma can have a devastating impact on our lives; causing psychological, spiritual and physiological damage.

Why does one person experience post-traumatic stress when another experiences post-traumatic growth?

The key to trauma is to have a personalised approach to healing it. When a person is able to process their own trauma, through their own means, they are more likely to experience post-traumatic growth. How do they do this? Sadly, the exact mechanisms by which individuals are able to do this is not that well understood.

Some research would indicate that psychological mastery, in particular emotional mastery, is key to figuring this out. Additionally, the types of resources and skills related to positive outcomes from trauma include; social support, the ability to reflect on the experience and make sense of it in the context of ones life and beliefs (i.e. being able to integrate it), considering what positives may have come from the experience (e.g. new opportunities) and whether it enhances ones personal strengths, giving back or service as a means to connect with others with a similar experience and consideration to the value of life and what is most important for the person.

Interestingly this is also true of spiritual mastery, having psychological mastery is almost a foundation of it. This doesn't necessarily mean that all spiritual masters are highly skilled psychologists but they certainly know their own minds and have enough knowledge and skills to be able to handle what they experience.

My position would be that learning and understanding psychological skills in practical terms will most certainly improve your spiritual mastery. Also, the hope then is that each of us can find our own way to overcome traumas and once we unlock this aspect of our life we will be able to be resilient in the face of future traumas.

N.B. This article endorses learning and growth in relation to psychological knowledge and skills, particularly those related to healing trauma naturally, but with two caveats; if your preference is to obtain this through therapy then please seek that, if you feel that there could be risks to your health or safety please seek professional guidance.