A topic that we have all been grappling with is how to cope with the trauma of COVID-19. Trauma is the response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms our capacity to cope, or integrate the emotions involved with an experience. Many of us feel we have been traumatized by the effects of COVID-19.
What can we learn from our experience with COVID-19? We have all had to adapt to the public health crisis using our go-to coping tools, including resilience. Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress. Resilience is a dynamic process that we can nurture and develop at any point in our lives. An Atlanta trauma therapist can help you develop your resilience.
When stress, adversity or trauma strikes, you still experience anger, grief and pain, but you’re able to keep functioning — both physically and psychologically. However, resilience isn’t about putting up with something difficult, being stoic or figuring it out on your own. In fact, being able to reach out to others for support is a key part of being resilient.
Resilience has many components. We can tweak our resilience level by utilizing some tried and true methods. We can deliberately ruminate on our situation, use problem-solving, self-reflect, find meaning in our experience, reframe our circumstances or take the time to sit with our emotions. As we take control of our circumstances and make the necessary changes, we may find we have reached a new state of post-traumatic growth.
Research has shown that resilience can lead to post-traumatic growth in five major domains: relations with others, new possibilities, personal strengths, spirituality, and appreciation of life. An integral part of post-traumatic growth theory is the idea that transformation occurs not in spite of trauma, but as a direct consequence of it. In other words, the growth could not have occurred without the trauma—or at least not in the same way at the same moment.
Resilience can help protect you from various mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Resilience can also help offset factors that increase the risk of mental health conditions, such as being bullied or previous trauma.
For some, post-traumatic growth can mean increased personal strength or a greater appreciation for life. It could mean spiritual growth or altered belief systems. For others, it could be the motivation to take action to help others in their community.
If you would like help honing your resilience skills, reach out to me. I can help you with your trauma using the latest trauma therapy techniques.