This is one of my all-time favorite books.
Stephen Joseph’s What Doesn’t Kill Us: The New Psychology of Posttraumatic Growth explores how trauma can lead to growth. He challenges the idea that trauma only causes harm.
He also suggests what exactly lies at the core of each trauma and, therefore, how to heal from it.
Summary
Joseph argues that trauma can make people stronger and more resilient. He shares stories of survivors who found new meaning in life after facing hardships.
Key Insights
- Posttraumatic Growth: Trauma can lead to positive changes. Survivors often find new strengths and perspectives.
- Mindfulness: Being aware of our thoughts and emotions helps us cope with trauma.
- Personal Agency: We have control over how we respond to trauma. Taking responsibility for our actions can lead to growth.
- Support Systems: Having a strong support network is crucial for recovery and growth.
- New Life Priorities: Trauma often leads people to reassess their values and priorities, resulting in a more meaningful life.
- Spiritual Growth: Many individuals find a deeper sense of spirituality after overcoming traumatic experiences.
- New Opportunities: Trauma can open doors to new opportunities and paths that were previously unconsidered.
- Resilience Building: Learning to cope with trauma builds resilience, which helps in facing future challenges.
- Improved Relationships: Surviving trauma can strengthen personal relationships by fostering deeper connections and empathy.
- Self-Discovery: Facing trauma often leads to greater self-awareness and understanding of one’s capabilities.
My rating
- Easy to understand ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Practicality ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Convenience ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Educational Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Verdict
Joseph’s writing is clear and engaging. He uses real-life examples to show how people can overcome trauma.
My main takeaways were:
- Freezing is a common stress response (in addition to flight or fight) – this is important because sometimes people feel guilty for freezing in dangerous situations.
- Clear statistics on trauma and recovery. In the book, he mentions that PTSD develops in the minority of trauma cases. Majority of trauma resolves itself naturally.
What Doesn’t Kill Us is a valuable read for anyone facing trauma or supporting someone who is. It offers practical advice and a new perspective on overcoming adversity.
If you find that you’re not dealing with life’s adversity the way you’d like to, I recommend reading this book.
Have you read the book? Share your thoughts below!
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